Phra Yod Thong Nur Khalai Thong Sao 5 BE2540 Luang Phor Koon Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima

What is the Phra Yod Thong Nur Khalai Thong Sao 5 BE2540 Luang Phor Koon Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima by Luang Phor Koon (Lp Koon) Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima?

The Phra Yod Thong Nur Khalai Thong Sao 5 BE2540 Luang Phor Koon Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima is a silver-plated commemorative medallion consecrated by Luang Phor Koon (Lp Koon) Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima at Wat Ban Rai in BE 2540. Cast on a sacred-metal base and finished in Khalai Thong (silver plating), this Sao 5 edition was issued to mark Luang Phor Koon’s 75th birthday and to fund the Luang Phor Koon Parisuttho Technical College.

The edition behind the piece — why BE2540 matters for Lp Koon collectors

BE 2540 (1997 CE) was a milestone year at Wat Ban Rai. The Sao 5 batch, also known as the Khun Phet Ratchapat edition, was produced to commemorate Luang Phor Koon’s 75th birthday — not simply as a celebration, but as a merit-making vehicle. Proceeds were directed to the construction of the Luang Phor Koon Parisuttho Technical College, giving underprivileged youth access to vocational training. That charitable purpose gives this run a clearly documented reason for existence, which collectors find more compelling than a generic anniversary release.

Production standards were strict. Multiple material variants were issued within the wider Sao 5 release — sacred mixed alloys and lead-based versions among them — and pieces that did not meet quality thresholds were removed during selection. The result is a carefully curated output. This Khalai Thong (silver-plated) variant is the bright, refined-tone version of the set.

Nuea, design, and how it was blessed

The nuea (material/substance) here is a sacred-metal alloy base finished with Khalai Thong silver plating, giving the medallion a clean, luminous sheen that holds up well in hand and in display. The oval vertical pim (mould collectors authenticate against) is a practical format — easy to case and comfortable for daily wear on a chain.

The obverse carries the Buddha in Pang Chana Marn (Victory over Mara posture), one of the most widely recognised iconographic choices in the Thai Buddhist amulet tradition. The reverse shows yant (sacred inscriptions) along with the “Koon” (คูณ) and “Na” (นะ) marks specific to Wat Ban Rai pieces — useful reference points when examining a candidate piece against known examples.

Consecration, by tradition, took place intensively throughout the Rains Retreat (Buddhist Lent) of BE 2540 at Wat Ban Rai, with Luang Phor Koon personally empowering the batch through sustained chanting and devotional practice. This is held as belief, not a guaranteed outcome, but the pluk sek (consecration ceremony) tied directly to the abbot’s own milestone year is part of what makes the edition meaningful to serious collectors.

What to look at when authenticating — and what comes with this piece

Collectors examining a Sao 5 Khalai Thong piece should focus on several points:

• Plating tone and continuity — even coverage across the face and rim, consistent sheen without pitting or discolouration inconsistent with age
• Stamping depth — the Pang Chana Marn image should show clear, confident relief; shallow or smeared detail is a flag
• Yant lines on the reverse — check the “Koon” and “Na” marks against documented reference examples
• Rim condition — edge finish should be consistent with the age and production method of a BE 2540 Wat Ban Rai piece

This piece is accompanied by a G-Pra authentication certificate and comes in the original temple box. The G-Pra certificate supports provenance tracking and is widely referenced by collectors for resale transparency. No certificate replaces hands-on study, but having both the box and the certificate with a piece from this edition is the complete documentation package.