FRANCIS WILMER is a writer and documentary
producer based in Thailand and Myanmar. His work
focuses on niche topics around identity, class and
spiritualism, trying to bring coverage to overlooked
regions and peoples. He is an editor for the Burmese
media agency Sakse and has written for publications
such as The Diplomat, Southeast Asia Globe, and the
Democratic Voice of Burma.above Ketmunee
reveals a neck and
torso heavily inked
with enchanted Sak
Yant tattoosbelow left Statues
of ancient ruesi gods
at a Bhuddist temple
in Chiang Mai’s
Mae Taeng districtEstimates of how many ruesi exist in
Thailand vary from as many as 100 to as few
as 15. And after living in the shadows of the
jungle for so many years, some of these
hermits are beginning to adapt their practices
to modern times.
Phuttavet, for one, has travelled
internationally, speaks good English, owns
three properties, and holds a master’s degree
in Thai from Chiang Mai University. His
Facebook page boasts over 4,500 followers,
and a fan page has even sprung up, managed
by his disciples. Every few days, he posts
Instagram images of tantalising amulets,
selfies while on pilgrimage, photos of himself
receiving blessings from monks, and pictures
of meetings with followers. Via social media
and his online shop, he even sells charms,
amulets and potions for every situation.
Ketmunee is also modernising his services.
In 2013, with the help of a loyal disciple, he
started a Facebook page, and now has over
3,000 friends. His posts are typically photos of
himself alongside mystical amulets and quotes
from Buddhist texts.
Phuttavet speculates that a new era of the
ruesi is dawning thanks to technology, which
is allowing more people to find out about
the practice. “I receive messages from people
asking me to train them (to become a ruesi),”
he says. “Most of them are foreigners, actually,
but some Thais, too.” ag