“Half-beast, half-demon” That is what some say about Kru Kai Kaew. We are here to explore the story of this deity. Kru Kai Kaew is a Thai deity. People worship him for good luck. They also seek fortune in work and life. Some see him as a god of wealth. Others view him as a superstition. They think it deviates from Buddhist teachings.
The origins of Kru Kai Kaew are unclear. Some claim he was a revered teacher. He taught Khmer King Jayavarman VII. This king built the Bayon Temple. However, historical records do not mention Kru Kai Kaew. He was a great teacher of mystical arts. He performed acts of merit with delusion. Eventually, he became a demon-faced deity. He is depicted with black skin. He has two wings, golden fangs and scarlet talons. He glares down menacingly.
Another legend traces Kru Kai Kaew’s origins to a Thai monk. This monk was from Lamphang province. During meditation at Angkor Wat in Cambodia he encountered Kru Kai Kaew’s soul. The monk crafted a statue to depict this soul. He gave it to his student, Thawil Milinthajinda. Thawil passed it to Suchat Rattanasuk. Suchat shaped the deity’s form. He created the first statues of Kru Kai Kaew in Thailand. This form has been passed down.
Historians debate the origins of Kru Kai Kaew. Professor Thongtong Chandransu says there is no evidence that Kru Kai Kaew was a teacher of King Jayavarman VII. Komkrit Uitekkeng says the worship of figures like Kru Kai Kaew is recent. It was created from the beliefs of Suchart Ratanasuk. Thepmontri Limpaphayom says Kru Kai Kaew is an adoption of gargoyles. These gargoyles adorn European castles and churches.
Jaturong Chongasa sees Kru Kai Kaew as a new cult. It has minimal connection to Buddhist practices. Dr Sinchai Chaowcharoenrat views it as a fabrication. He says it is designed to create a teacher of witchcraft. The deity’s form includes a vampire, gargoyle wings and a figure resembling Satan.
In August 2023, a 5-meter-tall statue of Kru Kai Kaew was installed outside the Bazaar Hotel in Bangkok. It drew criticism. Some citizens called for its removal. The statue became stuck under an overpass. This caused traffic jams. Following the installation, there was a surge in worship. People requested lottery numbers.
A group called National Thai Citizens filed a complaint. They wanted the statue removed. They were concerned about animal sacrifices. The Council of Artists for the Promotion of Buddhism also called for its removal. They said it promoted black magic.
Bangkok authorities investigated the installation. They found it violated local laws. Kru Kai Kaew and other statues were removed. The hotel paid a fine.
The story of Kru Kai Kaew is complex. He is seen differently by different people. Whether god, teacher or superstition Kru Kai Kaew is a figure of fascination. He reflects beliefs in Thai society.