Mystery surrounds grand eagle statue sitting atop Royal Thai Police headquarters
A majestic statue of an eagle, with its wings outstretched, now adorns the rooftop of the newly inaugurated police training centre at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters in Bangkok.
This striking 2-metre-wide and 80-centimetre-tall statue of a grey/white eagle placed atop the 32-storey building has caught the attention of many passers-by and the Thai media.
The training centre, situated on Rama I Road, overlooks Wat Pathum Wanaram. While it was reported to have been erected on Monday, the reasons for its placement and its origins seem shrouded in mystery.
No police officers contacted by The Nation seemed to know anything about the statue.
However, a Feng Shui expert told The Nation that eagles are one of the 10 auspicious animals believed to bring power, wealth and prosperity to the building’s occupants. The other auspicious animals are dragon, fish, elephant, swan, horse, tortoise, rooster, tiger and Kylin – a mythical Chinese dragon-headed unicorn.
“In Feng Shui, flying creatures signify greatness, influence, and a visionary outlook,” said the expert. “Certain birds hold deeper meanings, such as cranes representing longevity, and peacocks associated with wealth and good luck.”
Speculation surrounding the eagle statue suggests that its placement may be attributed to Pol General Torsak Sukwimol, the new National Police chief who assumed his role just last month.
Torsak, known to be superstitious, recently made headlines when he presided over a Buddha statue “eye-opening” ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima shortly after being appointed the country’s 14th RTP chief.
Upon taking office, Torsak also initiated a landscaping project at the RTP headquarters compound, which included modifications based on the recommendation of a Feng Shui master.
Notable changes included reducing the entrance gate’s width from 6 metres to 5.8 metres and relocating the spirit houses previously positioned by the gate to the side of the Forensic Science Office’s building.
This majestic eagle statue could be attributed to Torsak’s personal beliefs, especially since he took on the role of RTP chief despite having the least career seniority among the four candidates. He is also the only person who has not graduated from the Royal Police Cadet Academy.
While the eagle’s symbolism in this context appears intriguing, it’s worth noting that similar statues have been placed on high-rises in Bangkok to deter smaller birds, especially pigeons, from depositing their droppings on buildings and cars parked below.
