"Why the Devil in the City?"... Flood of Requests to Remove Bangkok Statue

Bangkok City Orders "Make It Invisible on the Road"

A gigantic statue with a grotesque appearance has been installed along a main road in downtown Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, prompting a flood of removal requests from displeased citizens.

According to local media including the Bangkok Post on the 20th, a massive sculpture about 4 meters tall was recently installed in front of the Baza Hotel in the Huai Khwang area of Bangkok. The statue is entirely black, with red-painted pupils and fingernails, and large wings attached to its back. Its mouth protrudes long golden fangs reminiscent of Dracula, creating a bizarre appearance.

Statue at a Bangkok hotel in Thailand that sparked controversy due to its bizarre appearance
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

The statue is known to represent a mythical figure named 'Khru Kai Kaeo.' Also known as Khru Ba Kai Kaeo, Khru Kai Kaeo is said to have been a revered teacher of Jayavarman VII, the king of the Khmer Empire in the late 12th to early 13th century. However, historians deny this, stating they have never heard of him.

Religious and civic groups in Thailand argue that the installation of this statue is tantamount to supporting devil worship and are demanding its removal. The Thai People's Committee (NTPC), a civic organization in Thailand, petitioned the Bangkok city government to relocate the statue to a less conspicuous location, stating that it "threatens Thai culture and beliefs." Phonpakun Settayabodi, the head of NTPC, said, "It is highly inappropriate to install a sinister-looking sculpture for people to worship like a Buddha statue. This is equivalent to supporting Satanists."

Additionally, some people regard the statue as a 'god of wealth' and have offered animals such as cats, dogs, and rabbits as sacrifices, escalating the controversy to accusations of animal abuse.

As the controversy grew, the Bangkok city government stepped in to address the issue. Mayor Chadchat Sittiphan ordered an investigation into the legality of the statue. It was found that the statue is on private property owned by the hotel and is under 10 meters tall, so city installation permits are not required. Therefore, there are no legal violations regarding the statue, and the city has no authority to order its removal.

Nevertheless, the Bangkok city government expressed its intention to find a solution, as the statue could cause fear and discomfort to drivers and pedestrians. Mayor Chadchat said, "We understand that the statue’s frightening appearance, clearly visible from the road, can make people uncomfortable," and added, "We will do our best to find a solution." Accordingly, the city instructed the hotel to consider installing screens or barriers around the statue so that it is not visible from the external road.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.