A controversial statue displayed at Bangkok’s Bazaar Hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road stirred a debate inside the neighborhood, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to weigh in on the matter. Despite public criticism, the distinctive sculpture has been permitted to stay on the lodge premises by the BMA.
Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, responded to inquiries about any potential authorized violations related to the sculpture. However, so far, no infringements have come to mild.
“The sculpture has a rather sinister look which is easily seen by everybody passing Ratchadaphisek Road, potentially unsettling pedestrians and travellers. We acknowledge that it might trigger discomfort to some, and we’re striving to work out a decision.”
The sculpture, a 4 metre-tall humanoid figure painted in sombre black with pink eyes, yellow teeth, and prolonged pink nails, has garnered important consideration and criticism. Some have linked it to the sanctified instructor of Jayavarman VII, an historic ruler of the Khmer Empire, however historians debunked this perception as lacking historical accuracy.
Secretary Pimuk Simaroj, from Chadchart’s office, revealed that an agreement had been reached between BMA officers and Bazaar Hotel representatives. The hotel proposed developing a canopy to shield the statue from public view. Governor Chadchart acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
“It’s a tangled issue as we have to be considerate of the conflicting needs of two factions – those distressed by the sight of the statue and the activists who are towards its elimination.”
As the statue is on privately owned land and doesn’t require a BMA permit as a outcome of its size, the decision lies solely with the resort. The hotel has been asked to design a defend that will render the sculpture invisible to passersby while awaiting approval from the district office. This answer balances the needs of critics and supporters, allowing devotees to proceed paying their respects while addressing public concerns.
Simple reassured the public that City Hall stays open to addressing grievances from the community. A group of Buddhist representatives raised issues about the statue, urging the lodge to remove it because of its unsettling appearance. They argued that unexplained worship of such figures could hurt the religion’s integrity, particularly among younger generations.
Dr Supachai Pongsawas, president of the Department of Religious Affairs’ Moral Promotion Unit, emphasised that worship must be supported by evidence and rationale in Buddhism. He warned that unexplained worship may negatively impression the religion.
Meanwhile, Weerayanant Aphithanaphat, a member of the artist council, highlighted that the majority of Buddhists are unaware of the statue’s history and significance. Social media criticism likened the statue to infernal deities, which contradicts Buddhist beliefs.
The hotel’s executive president, Charlie Nopwang Na Ayutthaya, admitted to overlooking potential religious implications when putting in the statue to draw vacationers. He hinted at a resolution involving overlaying the statue and limiting its worship, aiming to transform it right into a landmark..