17-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Demands for the removal of Khru Kai Kaeo, a deity depicted as a gargoyle-like sculpture situated in a hotel compound near the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok, have been intensified by two civic groups amid claims of fear and unease.
The Artists Council for the Promotion of Buddhism of Thailand is set to deliver a letter to The Bazaar Hotel Bangkok’s executives, asserting that the statue is instilling fear among certain individuals. This towering sculpture gained attention when it became trapped beneath an overpass during transportation to the hotel, a favored spot for Chinese tourists and expats.
The installation of this unconventional deity for the purposes of worship and blessings contradicts the principles of Buddhism, contends the group of artists.
In a separate move, the Rassadorn Thai Haeng Chart group has presented a letter to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, urging him to mandate the relocation of the statue from its current location near the Lat Phrao MRT station in the Huai Khwang district. According to the group, residents in nearby communities have been overwhelmed by anxiety due to the statue’s presence.
Conversely, some individuals have visited the sculpture to seek blessings, leaving behind offerings such as flowers and wallets. A segment of worshipers has even resorted to acquiring kittens or puppies online for the purpose of sacrifices, as indicated by critical social media accounts.
Phonphakhun Setthayabodee, a spokesperson for the group, expressed dismay over reports of using pets as sacrifices to the enigmatic half-human, half-mythical bird sculpture. This practice, he stated, contradicted the values of a civilised society, peace, and order.
Watchdog Thailand (WDT) also chimed in on the matter, cautioning against the utilization of pets as sacrifices to Khru Kai Kaeo.
Traisuree Taisaranakul, a deputy government spokesperson, echoed concerns on the issue, emphasizing the importance of considering Thai culture’s respect for all forms of life. In a statement, she encouraged individuals to approach beliefs mindfully and avoid being drawn into negative intentions.
In response to the controversy, a relative of the sculptor responsible for the Khru Kai Kaeo statue clarified that using animal sacrifices was a misinterpretation of the proper ritual.
Although the Khru Kai Kaeo statue resembles the menacing appearance of a gargoyle from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, it is claimed to have originated in Cambodia. Believers associate Khru Kai Kaeo, also known as Khru Ba Kai Kaeo, as a revered teacher of Jayavarman VII, a historical figure of the Khmer Empire. However, history scholar Tongthong Chandransu expressed unfamiliarity with this supposed teacher.
