About Old City Amulets

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The Story of Brett and His Journey with Thai Amulets
Early Introduction to Thai Amulets
Brett, a native of sunny Singapore, was introduced to Thai amulets in the early 1990s as a teenager. At the time, he thought little of them, as he was too young to appreciate their significance.
In the early 2000s, Brett received an amulet as a gift, sparking his curiosity. This led him to explore the amulet markets in Thailand, such as Thaprachan and Pantip 1, where he learned about their history through personal interactions with dealers and collectors.
Discovering Buddhism
During this period, the internet was not widely adopted, so Brett relied on face-to-face conversations to deepen his knowledge. Along the way, he began researching religion and found that Buddhism resonated with him, particularly its teachings on impermanence.
Brett adopted the philosophy of living life to the fullest each day while working towards long-term goals. His motto is: “Live each day to the fullest in a way that helps achieve long-term goals, but if you died the next day, it would be with no regrets.”
He also believes in adding value to society by doing at least one good deed daily or planting seeds for a better tomorrow.
First Steps in the Amulet Business
In the early 2000s, Brett started visiting Thai temples and monks. He began selling amulets on local forums to cover the cost of his trips. Although profitable as a side hustle, it wasn’t sufficient to sustain a full-time business.
By the mid-2000s, online selling had become more common. In 2007, Brett and his partner Jason opened their first amulet shop in Chinatown’s Pearl Centre, Singapore. The business flourished, and Brett dreamed of expanding further.
A Business Setback
Encouraged by his initial success, Brett ventured into a new business outside his circle of competence. Unfortunately, this endeavor failed, and by 2013, he had lost almost everything. Desperate to make ends meet, Brett obtained a taxi driver’s license as a last resort.
A Fresh Start in Thailand
Despite his challenges, Brett decided to return to Thailand and give the amulet business another shot. Armed with $6,000 SGD, he reached out to his friend and driver, Ah Lek, for help. Together, they sourced the best amulets Brett could find with his knowledge.
During this trip, Ah Lek shared his own success story. He had expanded his transport business into a fleet of cars and tuk-tuks, attributing his financial success to the blessings of the deity Mae Pim. Intrigued, Brett decided to venerate Mae Pim and brought back amulets associated with this deity.
Turning Point
Brett’s first “comeback” batch of amulets sold out completely. Encouraged by this success, he rebuilt his business step by step. Over time, Brett discovered the power of another spiritual figure, Por Sala Tan, whose spirit-based amulets further enhanced his sales and business ventures.
Building Success and Helping Others
Today, Brett runs three successful businesses, has invested in a startup, and manages a thriving investment portfolio. He credits his spiritual journey and the people he met along the way for his achievements.
With his newfound success, Brett is passionate about helping others find the right amulets to address their unique situations or enhance their lives with a spiritual boost.
Sharing Knowledge and Passion
Brett is also dedicated to writing about religion, culture, and spirituality. His goal is to share his experiences and insights with a wider audience.
If you’re interested in exploring Thai amulets or supporting Brett’s work, you can visit his collection here: