Phra Khun Paen Nur Krab Lueng Run Krob 8 (8th Cycle Commemorative Edition – 96 Birthday) BE2552 Luang Pu Tim (Lp Tim) Wat Phra Khao, Ayutthaya

What is the Phra Khun Paen Nur Krab Lueng Run Krob 8 by Luang Pu Tim (Lp Tim) Wat Phra Khao, Ayutthaya?

The Phra Khun Paen Luang Pu Tim (Lp Tim) Wat Phra Khao, Ayutthaya in Nur Krab Lueng Run Krob (traditional Ayutthaya-style ceramic with high-gloss glaze) was issued in BE 2552 to mark Luang Pu Tim’s 96th birthday — his 8th cycle in the Thai lunar calendar. Pressed in a commemorative pim exclusive to this occasion, it was consecrated at Wat Phra Khao under Luang Pu Tim’s direct guidance.

Why this edition carries weight among collectors

BE 2552 was late in Luang Pu Tim (Lp Tim) Wat Phra Khao, Ayutthaya‘s active years. Many collectors consider the phutthaphisek (consecration ceremony) held for this run among the most significant he personally presided over. He led the chanting himself — sutras including Ittipiso, Jinnapanjara, and Maha Jakkapat — with additional monks from the region in attendance to support the blessing rites.

The pim for this run is specific to the 8th cycle commemoration. It was not reused. Production was divided into standard and premium gammakan (committee edition) versions, with the higher-tier pieces carrying embedded takrut (rolled metal scroll) and sacred phong (powder blend). Some also bear yant (sacred inscriptions) or embossed temple symbols on the reverse.

The nuea (material/substance) here is Nur Krab Lueng — a ceramic body fired in the Ayutthaya tradition and finished with a high-temperature glaze. The gloss surface and colour variation across kiln batches — white, blue, green, yellow, or pink — are features collectors use to cross-reference individual pieces against documented examples of this run. That glaze finish is distinct from the powder-based nuea more common in earlier Luang Pu Tim editions, and it places this firmly within the commemorative ceramic lineage produced at Wat Phra Khao.

How the piece was made and what to examine

The front carries a Buddha image in samadhi (meditative) posture set within a detailed weon khao (arched throne), with relief lines that preserve classical Ayutthaya proportions. The back varies by tier: standard pieces may show embossed temple markings, while higher pieces include takrut and sacred powder fills, sometimes with serial number markings. Both are genuine to this edition — the tier difference is documented.

Within the broader Thai Buddhist amulet tradition, ceramic glazed amulets from Ayutthaya-lineage temples occupy a specific collecting niche. The glaze integrity, relief sharpness, and back detail are the three points collectors focus on when assessing condition and pim correctness for this run.

• Check glaze consistency — crazing or colour breaks can indicate later reproductions
• Confirm the samadhi pim relief is crisp, not softened or re-pressed
• On premium pieces, verify the takrut is original to the body, not inserted post-production
• Cross-reference colour tone against known krib (kiln batch) records for BE 2552

This piece is currently uncertified. Collectors who prioritise certification should factor that into their decision, though the pim itself is well-documented and cross-reference is straightforward against catalogued examples.

What collectors associate this amulet with

Phra Khun Paen amulets from Luang Pu Tim’s Wat Phra Khao are traditionally carried for metta maha niyom — loving-kindness and personal popularity. Collectors also associate this type with support in business dealings, negotiations, and social standing. The 8th cycle edition was created specifically to carry blessings for wearers: Wat Phra Khao issued it both as a commemorative piece and as a functional item for devotees, with proceeds going toward temple renovation and religious construction at the site.