Por Sala Tan

Victory Banner (Thong Chai) – Por Sala Tan

Material: Temple-repurposed wood, hand-carved and inscribed
Length: 12 inches
Use: Hung above doorways for baramee, protection, and continuous blessing
Provenance: Taken from Por Sala Tan’s home after his passing

Historical Context

This Thong Chai (ธงชัย) is not a typical temple item—it was personally carved and inscribed by Por Sala Tan using sacred wood repurposed from the renovation of monk quarters (kuti) at the temple where he practiced. When sections of monastic buildings were dismantled during major repair or rebuilding cycles, Por Sala Tan would carefully select usable spiritual wood for ritual repurposing.

This banner was originally mounted above the doorway of Por Sala Tan’s residence, and remained there until the house was dismantled after his passing. According to lineage accounts, including Ac Lek, the house had to be taken down due to its continued draw for visiting spirits—entities who came seeking katha yok winyan (liberation chants) and blessings even after the master had passed.

Spiritual Significance

In traditional Thai wicha, a Thong Chai banner is a tool of directional baramee—meant to radiate blessings outward and filter energy inward. This particular banner was used to:

• Bring baramee (spiritual authority and nobility) to all who enter

• Bless guests with saneh (likeability) and chok larp (fortune)

• Protect the household from entering lom rai (negative winds/omens)

• Act as a marker of sacred space—signaling the doorway as spiritually sealed

The handwritten yant (ยันต์) along the length was inscribed by Por Sala Tan himself, using wicha plook sek ban yuu (บ้านอยู่ - home-consecration wicha), empowering the doorway as a channel for ongoing merit.

Post-Passing Provenance

After Por Sala Tan passed, his home was emptied and many sacred items were claimed—rightfully and otherwise. According to family accounts:

• His true relics were mostly retained by Ac Lek and Ac Ji, who had remained close

• Fake luksits attempted to retrieve items and claim lineage, but most significant pieces were already secured

• The house had become a magnet for spirits, leading to its necessary demolition

This banner was one of the few public-facing protective pieces, meant for blessing others, not just the owner. It represents Por Sala Tan’s lifelong habit of quietly installing baramee wherever he lived, using even discarded or forgotten temple wood.

Application Today

It is traditional to mount such a Thong Chai:

• Above the main entrance of a home, prayer room, or meditation space

• Over business doorways, to invite noble-minded patrons and protect staff

• In spiritual clinics or healing spaces, where many come seeking transformation