You might have thought that Transformer robots and superhero paintings were the weirdest things to be worshipped in a Thai temple. But you would be wrong. Bang Khun Thian Nok Temple in Bangkok has won the WTF decor contest with their bizarre flying penis sculpture.
The phallic sculpture is said to take inspiration from Palad Khik, the penis-shaped Thai amulet believed to increase the charms of any man who wears it. Photos of the sculpture first started doing the rounds on the internet earlier this year, when a Pantip user posted the statue’s photo and asked, “What the hell is this creature?”
Matichon Online shared another photo of the temple’s two new penis sculptures yesterday. This time, lovely faces have been drawn on the sculptures, amusing Thai netizens to no end.
A monk at the temple said the creatures, although inspired by Palad Khik, were created from imagination. The temple will also make miniature flying-penis amulets for those who are interested in wearing or worshipping one.
People have different opinions and theories about the statues. Some Thai netizens feel sorry for modern Buddhism, which they believe has been sullied by superstitions. A Facebook user made the point that the flying penises could be the Thai version of Singapore’s Merlion.
Lapitch Nitchanan said, “Make it pump out water like Merlion! And invent a story, so people will visit and drink water from the penis creature’s mouth.”
We’ll pass.
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