Buddhist amulets show Thailand’s entry into the crypto art epidemic

Bangkok (AFP)

Karma’s luck has arrived at the digital art market with a splash of kaleido-colored colors and the face of a revered Thai monk who offers a portable Buddhist lucky charm to high-tech buyers.

The sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual images of everything from popular internet memes to original artwork, has swept the art world in recent months, costing millions of dollars at major auction houses. There is also something to win.

“Crypto Amulets” is the latest trend-seeking venture, and founder Ekkaphong Khemthong feels the opportunity of Thailand’s widespread practice of collecting amulets blessed by respected monks.

“I was a talisman collector and was thinking about how to introduce talisman to foreigners and the world,” he told AFP.

Collecting amulets and other small religious jewelery is a popular pastime in Thailand, which is dominated by…