Thai Mystical Statue Causes Traffic Jam

Mystical statue causes traffic jam

There are fewer things less desirable than driving in Thailand. If the confusing spiderweb-like roads with untold numbers of shortcuts don’t get to you, then the mind-numbing traffic is sure to torment you. And apparently, not even magic and superstition can alleviate that as a huge Thai mystical statue was responsible for a massive traffic jam on Ratchada 36 on 9th August 2023.

Here’s how the statue caused the jam and what this statue is for.

Mystical statue too big for Thai streets

Image credit: สำนักข่าวไทย via Facebook

If you’ve ever been to the huge Buddhist temples or seen various religious statues around Bangkok, then you might’ve wondered where these statues came from. Despite how these statues have seemingly been there forever, they are actually made and then transported through roads.

Ironically, one such statue caused a huge massive traffic jam. Unfortunately for Thais, a statue that we’d pray to for good fortune was responsible for causing our misfortune instead.

That’s because the massive statue that was being transported from Ratchaburi into Bangkok got stuck when it was going underneath an overpass. The statue was a mere 2cm too tall, but that was enough. Who knew all it took was an additional 2cm for it to be too big?

Road level raised due to floods

Image credit: สำนักข่าวไทย via Facebook

For a statue meant to bring good fortune, it brought a whole bunch of misfortune for the poor driver transporting it.

That additional 2cm? It was added after that particular street experienced frequent flooding in the past couple of years.

Not only that but once the transport truck was freed by letting the air out of the tires, which he’ll have to refill later, he was also fined for driving a 6-wheeler when it wasn’t allowed. Those types of trucks are not allowed between 6am-9am and 4pm-8pm, during the time people transit to work.

Mystical statue meant to bring good luck to business

Image credit: @thanatphat_beam via Instagram

Despite the clear misfortune that this statue has brought to the transport driver, it’s actually meant to bring good fortune.

While afar, it might look like a standard Buddha statue, up close it is anything but.

This statue has very distinctive Elvis-style sideburns, long red nails, yellow vampire-like fangs, and wings on its back. It’s called Kru Kai Kaew (ครูกายแก้ว, lit. Teacher Kai Kaew), and its current appearance is the product of Ajarn Suchart (อ.สุชาติ รัตนสุข) who is responsible for the belief’s popularity in Thailand.

Devout believers in Kru Kai Kaew are said to receive good fortune in business from its worship. That’s because the statue resembles the Buddhist fantastical bird Kalaviṅka whose beautiful voice would help bring people to the business.

In that sense, the statue did attract a whole lot of people on the streets. But the driver probably didn’t want all that attention.

Don’t need magic to avoid Bangkok traffic jam

If you’ve driven in Bangkok, then you probably have your own story about our legendarily bad traffic. With Thai food making the top 10 lists, we can’t forget that our very own traffic has also made world rankings.

But you don’t need magic to avoid it. Remember that you can cut down on transit time and cost just by using the BTS and MRT.

If you’re not as adventurous as the Thai teacher, but want to try something new, then check out Alice’s Pizza for Thai-style water mimosa pizzas. Or if you’re looking for a new regular haunt, theCOMMONS in Thong Lo is a community mall with excellent food options. Otherwise, you might want to check out traditional roast pork at Moo Hun Song Pee Nong.

Cover image adapted from: สำนักข่าวไทย via Facebook