Bangkok police statues mistaken for ghosts


Whilst there are monuments commemorating the good works of policemen around the globe, Thailand, on the other hand, has statues mimicking traffic police officers known as “Ja Chey“. Despite being installed to give directions on the road, the statues are instead known for giving the drivers something close to a heart attack.

Recently, going viral on the internet are three police statues at a three-way junction in Bangkok, whom were once again mistaken for ghosts, leading many to slam on their breaks. Locals, however, have come to find the statues a normal sight.

Here’s what we know about the statues who are now dubbed the neighbourhood’s “boy band.”

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Bangkok police statues appear ghostly after 10 years


Standing in front of a nursery school at a junction in Bangkok, the three police statues became the talk of the town after a picture of them was posted onto the internet, according to Sanook.

boy band statues
Image credit: Sanook

The post was accompanied with a caption hilariously remarking that they almost couldn’t make a turn without climbing onto the pavement after getting spooked by the mysterious figures.

creepy statues
Image credit: Sanook

Despite their ghostly exterior, a local, Mr. Niphon Deekhaoropkhun, shared that the statues are a regular sight to those living in the neighbourhood since they have been around for ten years.

With that said, the statues currently look worn out. The middle statue is even missing one arm while the left statue has a black tape connecting its head to its body.

statues broken
Image credit: Sanook

Another local, Mr. Weerapong Keeratipanyakun, added that the statues are there in order to remind drivers to slow down once they reach the junction. However, it appears to only work on passersby who aren’t familiar with the area; the tactic is starting to get old with people in the community, especially young bikers.

Nevertheless, the statues have become a part of the community. Mr. Keeratipanyakun wishes that the statues could get some fixes, since a group of young boys rampaged the statues around five to six months ago.


Police statue does the job


Despite oftentimes being mistaken for a ghost, the police statues are ultimately serving their purpose of slowing down speedy drivers.

For those who may haven’t met one yet, now you know that there is no need to panic when looking into the lifeless eyes of an unmoving plaster policeman.

More police stories below:


Cover images adapted from (L-R): Sanook

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