The Nation, a local newspaper, reported a claim by a conservative group that worshippers planned “uncommon” rituals at the statue – even animal sacrifice.

The Bazaar Hotel has said it did not put the statue up, telling AFP that another party rented the land and installed it.

MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS

But not everyone is put off by the baleful gaze of the statue’s piercing blood-red eyes.

Napapat Kanyabandit, 40, a smoothie seller, insisted Kru Kai Kaew had brought her good fortune.

“I came to worship here because he is very sacred. As I am speaking I have goosebumps,” she told AFP after making an offering on Friday.

“I asked for my business to be successful and it came through.”

The statue was built by a factory in Nakhon Pathom west of Bangkok and briefly went viral when it got stuck under a bridge during its journey to Bangkok.

Some people claim to have had lottery wins after making offerings, though even worshippers voiced scepticism.

“About the people who won the lottery, we will have to see in the long term if they actually win every time,” spa worker Noppamas Artuyeun, 26, told AFP.