The practice

of wearing Mongkons and Kruang Ruang/Paprachiats is believed to
have originated during Thai medieval ages when the Thai's often found themselves
at war. Soldiers commonly wore headbands and armbands made from material that
had special meaning to them, such as the hem of a parents Pakima (a skirt-like
outfit worn by both men and women) or even strands of a loved ones hair wrapped
in cloth. Sometimes little religious artifacts were wrapped up and worn, such as
little Buddha figurines.