Buddha heads to be removed from fence in two days

[misskit]

A house-owner in Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong district has started removing Buddha heads which were decorated on the fence of his house following widespread complaints from neighbours and others against what they described as improper practice.


Police and religious affairs officials who visited the house for an inspection after having received the complaints have told the house-owner, a westerner who was not identified, to remove all the 36 Buddha heads within two weeks because they hurt the feelings of Buddhists.


The house-owner’s Thai wife reportedly told the authorities that her husband is an art collector and bought several Buddha heads for decoration by putting them on the fence about a month ago.


She apologized on behalf of her husband and promised to remove all the Buddha heads in two days.


Buddha heads to be removed from fence in two days - Thai PBS English News

[Maanaam]

I don't know how or why the police are involved in something that is not against the law. I'd be tempted to ask the police to explain under what act do they make the order to remove the decorations, and remind them that my property is my property and nobody had better touch them unless they want to face theft and malicious damage charges, which would be under the law.

If they heads as decoration are so distasteful, who makes and sells them?


Maybe pay a monk to come and bless them in a public ceremony. Appease the boneheads.

For an art collector he's not very fussy with his fence painter.

[misskit]

There was a billboard on Mahidol Road on the way to the Chiang Mai Airport which states NO BUDDHA HEADS and some blerb about how Buddha heads were not allowed. Didn't make much sense. A bit confusing also because Buddha heads stick up out of the ground at Wat Umong and other places around here. Shops sell Buddha heads mounted, t-shirts, art work, on and on. Why someone would be chastised for having them on a fence is beyond me.

That fence is just plain ugly.

[Wilsonandson]

I once owned a house in Rome and decorated my wall with heads of Jesus.

Come on! Common sense please!

[misskit]

One of the stranger sights in Miami was a house with a life size statue of Jesus on the front lawn. It was painted in bright colors and lit up at night. The house occupant would tie her little dogs on their leashes to the hand of Jesus and leave them unattended. Or, were they attended by Jesus?

[cyrille]

Such bad taste that he must be German.

[Simon43]

Maybe I'm the only one here who thinks that house-owner is a dumb cnut. Did he really think that sticking Buddha heads all over his crap wall would go down well with the locals? Thick as 2 short ones.

[Farang Ky Ay]

It was poor taste to put golden painted Buddha heads on the fence from the american as it may be disturbing for locals... (on the same line they are not fond of Buddha themed tattoos)

I used to have a Buddha head as decoration in my home in Farangland but decided not to bring it when settling in Thailand for this reason...

However their sensitivity didn't prevent Santika entertainment venue to display Christian crosses...the place has burnt so I guess that doesn't count.

[Pragmatic]

Is this okay?

[harrybarracuda]

Sounds like they've been taking outrage lessons from their muslim friends.