[TheGreatOne]

hmmm... after reading on this topic. I am impressed by the vast knowledge and passion shared among prak collectors and has thus prompted me to share a real life experience though not those exciting kind. SO hope brothers here can bear with me for a while. Dunno how to begin with and well this is how it goes:

I was having this Exercise Rolling Thunder during Oct-Nov 2000 with my unit and has befriended some local Thais from both the civilian sectors namely those "mobile canteen" type who sell food for the exercise troops and also the RTA(Royal Thai Army) guys. During the 3 weeks long exercise, I had bonded a great relationship with this particular mobile canteen guy whom I shall refer him as "P". P is an honest elderly man who is into his late 60s driving a pickup with his elderly wife selling simple food and are both great persons to chat with.

Ok to cut straight to the point, during the last day of my exercise, P called me aside amidst his business and passed me a statue of what I later learnt it as "Somdej" as brothers here refered to. He said something like he is giving me as a parting gift out of good gesture. However there is something different about this "Somdej" as compared to what I seen in some of the posts by brothers here. Now, this "Somdej" has only 3 "cushions" (sorry didn't know the exact word for it, so pardon me) and a buffalo liked animal below the "cushions". The reason why I said its different is because those that I seen here or from other wearer is that their "Somdej" is either sitting on "cushions" of different levels. Behind it is some thai words which I can't read but later got to know from a particular shop owner in the Jurong area which I shall cover later. P also taught me some Thai verses which he said I should chant over it thrice everyday before I put it on which I did initially for quite a few years until I "gave" it away to a fellow serviceman who is also interested in collecting "Prak".

Now i seek fellow brothers' opinions in the following queries:

1. Has any brother here came across an identical statue or similar? If yes, mind shed some light on this?

2. Is it okay for me to pass it to others despite this being a good-willed gift from friend, P?

3. After I passed it to my friend which I already did, is it okay for me to take back? Or at least request to take a pic of it so as I can post here? Any advise?

Sorry for the long-windedness as I really feel the urge to sound it out today at this time after reading this thread. Hope brothers here don't mind.

Thank you for your kind understanding.