Officials at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi international airport have confirmed they will be moving a number of giant statues from the arrivals hall to the international check-in area. Local press in Thailand are reporting that the figures are being moved in response to complaints from airport staff who blame the ‘demon statues’ for bringing bad luck. The twelve statues at Bangkok airport are replicas of the yaksha demon warrior statues to be found at The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) in Bangkok. In Buddhist mythology, the yaksha were guardian figures who protected the good and kept away evil spirits.
The new Bangkok international airport at Suvarnabhumi finally opened in September 2006, but was plagued with problems before, during and after its construction and last year political protesters forced its temporary closure. Feng Shui experts in Thailand say there are a number of things that need to be rectified at the international airport and a relocation of the yaksha statues will help to improve the positive energy flow. Superstition plays a significant part in Thai life, but the official line from the Airports of Thailand (AOT) is slightly different. A spokesman said, ‘AOT has decided to move the statues to the check-in concourse to give passengers and other people the chance to appreciate the statues’ beauty.’
A religious ceremony was held at the beginning of the week in preparation for the relocation of the yaksha statues which is expected to be complete next month.
photo © thaizer.com
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