Amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s thriving Ratchadaphisek Road, nestled within the prestigious Bazaar Hotel, stands a controversial emblem beckoning attention and instigating heated debates – a distinct, dare we say, grotesque sculpture of Khru Kai Kaeo. However, its very existence on the hotel’s grounds has ignited the ire of a collective of Buddhist artists who express their disdain and urge the authorities for its immediate removal. Adopting the moniker “Council of Artists Promoting Buddhism”, the group vehemently believes that the stylized statue promotes nefarious devil-worship and perturbs onlookers with its ghoulish aesthetics.
Garnering legitimacy through accreditation from the Religious Affairs Department, the artist council has vociferously criticized the hotel for harbouring the 4-metre-tall, gargoyle-like effigy thus sullying the sanctity of their premises. The statue represents Khru Kai Kaeo, supposedly the honouree mentor of the ancient Khmer Empire’s King, Jayavarman VII. On the flip side, this attribution has been questioned, with some historians expressing their obliviousness to the existence of this deity.
Compelled by the intense backlash received from the public regarding this menacing statue, the council feels obligated to intervene and mitigate the situation on behalf of the masses. Given its positioning which makes it highly visible from the bustling Ratchadaphisek Road, the council fears that its abnormal visual might terrorize unsuspecting commuters and pedestrians.
The National Thai People Council (NTPC), a civic body, forayed into this escalating furore and voiced their concerns to the Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Advocating the relocation of the sculpture to a seemingly inconspicuous spot, they argue the figurine firmly conflicts with Thai culture and beliefs. Phonphakhun Setthayabodi, a representative from NTPC, expressed that the installation of the devilish statue under the guise of reverence to a Buddha image within hotel premises is hugely inapt
The installation of the Khru Kai Kaeo sculpture had previously caused a traffic chokehold, obstructing the smooth functioning of Ratchadaphisek Road for a good two hours, as it traveled from a studio in Ratchaburi to the Huai Khwang shrine. Furthermore, this confusing representation has been reported to have instigated worshippers into procuring cats, dogs, and rabbits as sacrificial offerings to this deity, adding to the bewilderment.
As the contentious situation unfolds, the fate of the Khru Kai Kaeo sculpture remains to be seen, with the council and select civic bodies pitching hard against the heavyweights. While the sculpture might appear terrifying to some, it is a testament to the power of art to spark discussion and exploration of cultural beliefs and historical facts. Regardless of its fate, the Khru Kai Kaeo sculpture will continue to be a talking point in Bangkok’s cultural discourse.
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