Giant Buddha head has not been sold: Nakhon Phanom temple staff

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CRIME
Giant Buddha head has not been sold : temple staff
CHARNYUT KOTTHAM
THE NATION
NAKHON PHANOM



BANGKOK: -- STAFF AT A Buddhist temple in the Northeast yesterday denied claims on social media that they had sold a three-metre-long head of a Buddha statue to an antique dealer.

"It's groundless. The spread of such information has ruined our reputation," Arj Ekkaphan, a layman assistant at Buddha Nimit Temple in Nakhon Phanom, said.

The claim that a temple in Tha Uthen district had disposed of the artwork for Bt20,000 for use as a decoration at a hotel or restaurant, with an image of the awe-inspiring head, "went viral" on the Net.

Many distressed Buddhists shared the message in the hope of attracting the attention of authorities.

Soon enough, not just officials but curious individuals flocked to Buddha Nimit Temple to view the Buddha head that lies in front of its bell tower.

'Only 20 years old'

"Preliminary examinations show the article is a little over 20 years old. It's not considered a historical object," Laddawan Thipsing of the Fine Arts Department said.

A historical piece by law must be over a century old.

Village chief Lampoei Chanapoj said this statue was cast in 1988 as part of a Buddhist's plan to erect a grand Buddha statue that, together with its base, was designed to stand 29 metres high. However, due to poor construction of the base, the statue collapsed and broke apart.

"No one was killed in the accident but the temple has no funds to rework on the statue," he said.

Arj said the Buddha-statue head was left where it had |fallen down for many years |until a monk from another province visited the temple |and noticed it.

"The monk has expressed a willingness to repair the Buddha-statue head but plans to move it to a temple in Amnat Charoen," he said.

Although the false reports about the temple was upsetting, there may be a happy ending.

"I hope the news coverage, which started from rumours, will spur donations for the restoration of this Buddha head," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-04-29

[JoeThePoster]

Nice radial ear ring.

[Suriya4]

Found another good use on recycle tire. Holy pillow or should I say holely pillow.

[Payboy]

Shouldn't they just leave it there and collect fees from tourists to see the reclining buddha?

[ChrisY1]

My money's on the head disappearing in the near future.....if there's a rumour it's been sold, chances are that it has!

[JoePai]

due to poor construction of the base, the statue collapsed and broke apart.

Why does that not surprise me

[Costas2008]

What's the big fuss about?

A 20 year old statue, badly constructed, is for sale.

Suddenly, Thais are in arms about it.

I would say, Thai Hypocrisy at it's best.

[winstonc]

a poor temple i find that hard to believe..

[DLock]

My money's on the head disappearing in the near future.....if there's a rumour it's been sold, chances are that it has!

Agree...and if it hasn't, there will be plenty of Buyers at 20,000 baht now...I'd even pay 20,000...if they delivered it.

[billd766]

a poor temple i find that hard to believe..

Try living out in rural Thailand as there are many poor temples.