Ratchaburi: Statue randomly emerges from ground so crowds assemble to worship it

[webfact]

Statue randomly emerges from ground so crowds assemble to worship it
By Coconuts Bangkok



RATCHABURI: -- Bit by bit, a statue of a hermit is slowly rising from the ground each day in the front yard of a Ratchaburi family, who cannot be happier.

Sampao Ngamjam, 54, said she spotted a mysterious white object under a tree for the first time on Sunday when she was chilling out in front of her house.

She told her husband Suthep Ngamjam, who first thought the object was a mushroom. But upon closer inspection, they were shocked to see a freaking hermit head rising from the ground.

At first the hermit only had his chin above the ground, Sampao said, but now he has risen to his shoulder. At that rate, the ascension could see the statue levitate up to heaven as soon as next week.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2015/01/20/statue-randomly-emerges-ground-so-crowds-assemble-worship-it


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-01-20

[James Yayo]

How long until they start charging people to see it, or ask it for the next week's lottery numbers?

Like the magic hole in the ground in Udon Thani, and the magic eggs from some mythical beast that were 'found'.

[clockman]

No hope for them!

[iReason]

"...the ascension could see the statue levitate up to heaven as soon as next week."

[marko kok prong]

I would imagine that the soi is now blocked with street food vendors.

[Freed1948]

Only in Thailand.

The scams to come will blow your mind.

[thesetat2013]

I read in world news that batboy was going to fly here to help the hermit levitate into heaven and that they will buy pictures of the hermit levitating for 10,000 US$

[binjalin]

it's Elvis!!!

[Misterwhisper]

"Sampao Ngamjam, 54, said she spotted a mysterious white object under a tree ..."

There is your clue. The buried statue is probably being pushed up by growing tree roots - and NOT by some mambo-jambo miracle.

"At that rate, the ascension could see the statue levitate up to heaven as soon as next week."

I realize this is a satirical comment concocted by Coconuts Bangkok. Still:

[wirat69]

... The Chinese are coming!!! Beware the 999 terracotta warriors in Ratchaburi!!

[docshock13]

Man, I love this place!

Quick call TAT and Minister Kobkarn before he levitates to heaven.

This should really go on the list of venues where tourists can discover thainess in 2015. And I'm not joking. Seeing throngs of Thais queuing up to worship a statue of a levitating hermit and praying for signs or lucky lotto numbers (IMO) encapsulates thainess perfectly.

[Somtamnication]

Who needs to watch Benny Hill, when you can watch Thais all day!

[Fiddlesticks]

Soon the signs will go up:

Admission to see the levitating hermit 100 baht (farang 1,100 baht).

[berybert]

"...were shocked to see a freaking hermit head rising from the ground".

awesome reporting.

How do they know it's a hermit?

Because it looks like one !

[Toknarok]

Don't mock too much. Every year hundreds of thousands of 'believers' flock to a grotto with a spring in France in the hope that partaking of the waters will cure them of their ailments. Statues of someone hanging on a cross with bleeding wounds anyone? How about a miraculous shround? There are guillable people all over the planet.

[bangrak]

"...were shocked to see a freaking hermit head rising from the ground".

awesome reporting.

How do they know it's a hermit?

Because it looks like one !

Please, be so kind to inform us about the visual characteristics of a hermit's head. This is very important for us to be able to identify one at once when it would stick its head out of the ground next to our big mango tree! Thank you very much!

P.S.: What is the more relevant information: the hair knotted in a so-called bun, or the 'made in China' inscription in the concrete? Thank you again!

[Commerce]

Things do seem to levitate when you dig ruddy great holes around them.

[halloween]

Don't mock too much. Every year hundreds of thousands of 'believers' flock to a grotto with a spring in France in the hope that partaking of the waters will cure them of their ailments. Statues of someone hanging on a cross with bleeding wounds anyone? How about a miraculous shround? There are guillable people all over the planet.

I remember a face of Jesus (Heyzoos?) that started appearing on the wall of a church in Mexico. Thousands of pilgrims and associated BS before it was realised that someone had whitewashed over a Willy Nelson concert poster.

Disclaimer - this could be an urban myth.

[aparasher]

Religion and such scams (i know that I am using religion and scam in same sentence) become important due people's desperation and sense of helplessness. Would you agree people's situation in many of these villages are desperate?

[empireboy]

"Gee, that didn't take long... we only buried it last week!"

[Naam]

Soon the signs will go up:

Admission to see the levitating hermit 100 baht (farang 1,100 baht).

freaking Farangs get a discount.

[Naam]

"...were shocked to see a freaking hermit head rising from the ground".

awesome reporting.

How do they know it's a hermit?

Because it looks like one !

Please, be so kind to inform us about the visual characteristics of a hermit's head. This is very important for us to be able to identify one at once when it would stick its head out of the ground next to our big mango tree! Thank you very much!

P.S.: What is the more relevant information: the hair knotted in a so-called bun, or the 'made in China' inscription in the concrete? Thank you again!

it's clearly one of "Herman's Hermits".

[Jai Dee]

A number of off-topic posts have been removed from this topic.

This is the News Forum not the pub.

[Johnnie99]

Seriously, these people.

If brain cells were elastic, to coin a phrase, theirs wouldn't stretch around a sparrow's kneecap.

[Johnnie99]

Don't mock too much. Every year hundreds of thousands of 'believers' flock to a grotto with a spring in France in the hope that partaking of the waters will cure them of their ailments. Statues of someone hanging on a cross with bleeding wounds anyone? How about a miraculous shround? There are guillable people all over the planet.

Aye, laddie, that there might be - but so many more here.

[DM07]

Don't mock too much. Every year hundreds of thousands of 'believers' flock to a grotto with a spring in France in the hope that partaking of the waters will cure them of their ailments. Statues of someone hanging on a cross with bleeding wounds anyone? How about a miraculous shround? There are guillable people all over the planet.

Those people deserve to mocked equally!

[Commerce]

It's hilarious, yet very sad in a way. This doesn't need explaining, but certainly explains a lot!

Sometimes words not said say plenty!

[Chwooly]

Don't mock too much. Every year hundreds of thousands of 'believers' flock to a grotto with a spring in France in the hope that partaking of the waters will cure them of their ailments. Statues of someone hanging on a cross with bleeding wounds anyone? How about a miraculous shround? There are guillable people all over the planet.

Aye, laddie, that there might be - but so many more here.

tve9961-19690911-82.gif

Is that counting the many that flock to Ireland to kiss the Blarney stone, The millions that go to Fatima, the millions that go on Hajj? the list is endless. So mock the thais if you will be remember at least 10 times more around the world

[outsider]

OK, check back in one week's time.

[Evilbaz]

Buddhists have a Heaven?