A Thai artist known for creating an Optimus Prime-inspired statue has publicly criticized a coffee shop and cocktail bar after they declined to support his fundraising campaign to build two new figures. The dispute follows the viral success of the statue near Bangkok’s Chinatown, which some locals have come to regard as sacred.
The coffee shop and bar, Hypnotized, played a significant role in the statue’s rise to fame, sharing videos of unique offerings to the figure, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional Thai dance performances. The viral trend encouraged other businesses in the area to produce similar content, further fueling the statue’s popularity.
As the phenomenon gained traction, some Thai residents began treating the statue as a religious symbol, praying to it for blessings. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) later intervened, citing concerns over public safety and traffic congestion caused by the growing gatherings. Officials warned that the situation posed risks to both worshippers and pedestrians.
The statue’s owner, Aree “Seng” Manatsapakorn—better known as Hia Seng Talat Noi—is a well-known figure in Thailand’s engine spare parts industry. His reaction to Hypnotized’s refusal to contribute to his expansion project has sparked discussions on social media, with supporters and critics weighing in on the controversy.
