ONE of four controversial paintings depicting Lord Buddha as Japanese superhero Ultraman is being auctioned online to raise funds for democracy protesters, Sanook.com reported this afternoon (Nov. 14, 2020).
The auction of the 121×150 cm painting is being handled by popular actress and singer Inthira Charoenpura, or Sai, via her Facebook page with this ending at 3 p.m. today.
According to the rules, those bidding higher than 200,000 baht would have to confirm their identity. As of 10.44 a.m. today the highest bid was 300,000 baht.
These four Ultraman Buddha paintings have been heavily criticised with Buddhists seeing them as inappropriate.
However the fourth year female student of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University explained that her sole intention is to convey the idea that Lord Buddha is a superhero who can save the world.
They were purchased by Mr. Pakorn Porncheewangkul, or Hia Bung, who after that auctioned them raising 2.6 million baht. He shared some of the money with the art student with the rest being donated to Dan Khun Thot Hospital for Blind Children and Sangha Hospital.
Pakorn said the new owner of the controversial paintings gave him one of them to put to good use, which led to Inthira and himself deciding to auction it and raise money for democracy protesters.
CAPTION:
Actress Inthira with the controversial Ultraman Buddha painting that came under the hammer again. Thai headline says, “legendary picture.” Photo: Sanook.com
