In a city known for beaches, nightlife, and an endless bustle of tourists, one unlikely celebrity has parked himself at a Bangchak petrol station in South Pattaya — and people can’t help but stop for a selfie. Meet Bangchak Orange, a ginger stray cat whose lottery-themed corner has turned this humble pump stop into a must-see roadside attraction.
The setup: kitty comfort meets lottery kitsch
Tucked into a cosy nook near the pumps, Orange has a little kingdom: a soft bed, a low chair, and a hand-painted sign introducing him to the world. Translated, the sign reads:
“My name is Bangchak Orange. I’m a stray at this station, but everyone here loves and cares for me, providing food and water daily. If you like me, you can leave dry or wet food at the shop. Thank you!”
Right beside his throne, a decorative lottery stall completes the picture. There’s a mock ticket display, an ornate lucky-number draw box, and a donation jar. All the tickets are expired and purely decorative — the whole setup is a lighthearted nod to Thailand’s nationwide lottery fever rather than an actual gambling operation. Still, the theatrical display adds a festive vibe that draws crowds, camera phones, and a fair bit of superstition.
From injured stray to social media star
Orange’s rise to fame began two years ago, when Thanathip Rattanapanya — known locally as Brother Art — found the cat injured from a bite. Brother Art nursed him back to health, and the Bangchak station’s staff gradually turned into a makeshift family. “We just wanted to make people smile,” Brother Art told reporters. What started as simple compassion quickly turned into something more playful: dressing Orange in daily outfits, posing him by the mock lottery stand, and letting visitors draw “lucky numbers” from the box. The result? A furry influencer with a growing fanbase.
Why people flock to see Orange
There’s an irresistible mix at play here: cuteness, culture, and a dash of superstition. Visitors stop to pet him, snap photos, and spin the draw box in search of a lucky number, all in good fun. Tourists love it because it’s a quirky, photo-ready slice of local life; locals appreciate the warmth of a community that looks after its animals. On TikTok and other platforms, Orange’s daily outfits — from tiny bandanas to full-on cat couture — and his expressive whiskers have made him a shareable star.
Not just a gimmick — a community effort
Despite the theatrical elements, the affection for Bangchak Orange is genuine. The station staff feed him, give him water, and maintain his little corner. Visitors are encouraged to donate food if they wish, and the donation box helps cover his needs. Brother Art’s goal was simple: cheer people up. Yet in the process, he built a small, self-sustaining micro-community around a very public cat.
A snapshot of Thai creativity and kindness
Bangchak Orange’s lucky-number corner is more than a novelty; it’s a small cultural moment that captures something quintessentially Thai — a playful imagination paired with everyday kindness. The fake lottery tickets are a wink at a national pastime, while the real magic is that a stray cat has given strangers a reason to smile. In a city packed with attractions, it’s the spontaneous, human-scale experiences like this that leave the warmest impressions.
How to visit — and how to help
- Be respectful: Approach Orange calmly and let him come to you. He’s a cat, not a mascot.
- Bring food if you’d like to help: Dry or wet food donations are welcomed at the station shop.
- Keep photos tasteful: Flash-free pictures and gentle handling keep the experience pleasant for everyone.
Bangchak Orange is a reminder that charm can be improvised and fame can be found in the most ordinary places. The lottery tickets may be expired, but the affection for this ginger station cat is very much current. Whether you’re hoping for a lucky number or just a sunny smile, a quick stop at this petrol station in South Pattaya is guaranteed to lift your spirits — and possibly your Instagram likes.
Follow the fun on social media under tags like #BangchakOrange, #PattayaCat, and #CatsofThailand — just don’t forget to be kind when you visit.
I never expected Orange to become famous, we just wanted to help a hurt cat and make people smile at the station.
This is adorable, but aren’t you worried people will treat him like a prop and stress him out?
We try to keep him calm and let him choose interactions, plus the staff watches for signs of stress and we limit handling.
Sounds responsible, but cameras and constant fans can still change a cat’s behavior over time. Keep monitoring closely.
He looks pampered though — I like that. Cute photos for the ‘Gram.
I’m in 6th grade and this cat is the cutest thing I’ve seen online this week!
As someone from Pattaya I love how locals look after strays, but remember to ask before touching any animal.
Okay, I will always ask my mom first and not use flash when we visit animals in real life.
This is a fascinating intersection of informal urban animal welfare and performative culture; a case study in emergent micro-communities.
Or it’s exploitation dressed up as charity; you’re profiting from a stray’s image whether you admit it or not.
Profit motives can complicate things, but the key metric should be animal welfare outcomes and whether the community sustains proper care.
I’m all for cute animals, but when people monetize animals at stations it crosses a line to exploitation.
I visited last month and didn’t see anyone forcing him into costumes; it seemed playful and voluntary most of the time.
Maybe your visit was fine, Nina, but social media changes incentives — more followers, more pressure to perform.
Those are valid concerns; transparency about donations and a care plan would alleviate much ethical ambiguity.
Tourists love this kind of quirky local charm; it felt warm and human, not staged, during my stop.
I’ve been to Bangchak twice and Orange actually greeted me both times — he’s chill and the station staff are protective.
As a teacher, I’d say this is an opportunity to teach kids about community care for animals, just be sure rules are posted for safety.
We do have a simple sign asking people to be gentle and no flash photos; community education is part of why we set it up.
Lottery-themed gimmick is weird but kind of genius marketing, whether intentional or not.
Locals appreciate the humor and the care, but stray-cat culture in Thailand has layers — feeding, TNR, and superstition all mix together.
That mix can be harmful; feeding without spaying/neutering can increase stray populations and disease spread.
True, which is why some volunteers in our neighborhood run low-cost spay clinics and encourage donation jars to fund them.
Great — if the donation jar supports TNR then it becomes responsible community action rather than simply petting and photo ops.
Superstition around lotteries is interesting, but glorifying it with an animal risks encouraging ritualized treatment rather than proper care.
I took a selfie with Orange and posted it — my followers loved the story, and a few asked where to donate food.
Did he purr? I hope he likes my petting because I want to go someday.
He didn’t purr but he blinked slowly, which I think is cat-speak for relaxed and trusting.
Public animals can be educational, but the station should display clear guidelines about handling and donations to prevent misuse.
We have simple rules posted and we rotate who handles him; we also use donations for food and vet visits when needed.
People anthropomorphize animals too much online; a cat isn’t a mascot, it’s a living being with needs and moods.
Anthropomorphism can lead to better care when it fosters empathy, but it must be balanced with species-appropriate management.
Exactly — empathy plus expertise. Fund the cat, not just the photos.
This story feels like a small miracle — a stray given dignity and the community finding collective joy in a tiny thing.
Romantic, but don’t forget the economic side: foot traffic benefits the station and vendors.
What happens if the cat gets sick or the station changes owners? There should be a local rescue group on standby.
Most stations work with local volunteers; but a formal contingency plan would definitely be better for long-term welfare.
I like when places have character. Orange makes an ordinary pit stop memorable and gives stories to tell back home.
This is content gold, but please emphasize consent and proper handling in your videos so others don’t copy bad habits.
The decorative lottery setup is clever and harmless; it’s clearly explained to be theatrical and expired tickets are used.
Even if explained, tourists might not read the details and could assume it’s interactive gambling, which can cause confusion.
Then signage could be improved. Clarity prevents misunderstandings.
I worry about tourists thinking every stray will be friendly; not all animals like strangers and some visitors are oblivious.
We always remind visitors to let Orange approach them and to avoid sudden movements; safety is a priority for us.
It’s great PR for the gas brand unintentionally, but I’d rather see corporations actively fund shelters instead of leaning on viral pets.
Maybe this could prompt the company to partner with local rescues; viral fame can be turned into funding.
Even petty superstitions aside, the human kindness here is what stands out; people rallied to help an injured animal.
If donations pay for vet check-ups and parasite control, this setup can be a net positive — but records should be kept and shared.
I think it’s charming and harmless, but I support the idea of a small webpage or QR code explaining how to help properly.
Back in my day we fed strays but never made spectacles of them; times change but respect should remain.