Alarm over animal sacrifices to ‘god of wealth’

Worrying: The methods to worship Khru Kai Kaeo raised alarm bells after devotees asked for animals, reportedly for use as sacrificial offerings. — The Straits Times/ANN

The worship of a grotesque statue in Thailand believed to offer wealth has piqued the interest of animal rights groups after devotees have begun soliciting puppies and kittens online to use as sacrificial tributes to the deity.

The 4m-tall statue of the mythical Khru Kai Kaeo – resembling a winged Victorian gargoyle with fangs and crimson red talon-like fingernails – recently made headlines on Aug 9 when it halted traffic for around two hours, the Bangkok Post reported.