In Pictures: Superheroes set to transform Thai temples

As Buddhist temples across Thailand struggle to stay relevant in the modern age, some monks are drawing on a tried-and-true magnet for children: superheroes.

Updated

Published

Jun 21, 2017, 01:53 PM

It's a super-duper creation - a robot inspired by the Transformers franchise - from Ban Hun Lek, a metalworks shop renowned for giant statues of Transformers, the Hulk and other pop icons, in the central Thai province of Angthong. PHOTO: AFP

Mega-fun is in store for visitors to the Wat Tha Kien Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi as they check out giant metal statues inspired by the Transformers franchise. PHOTO: AFP

This boy is probably hoping to "transform" into a superhero, just like the Transformers statue at the Wat Tha Kien Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi. PHOTO: AFP

Even superheroes can't do much when they are in bits and pieces - like the legs of giant robots still to be assembled. PHOTO: AFP

And how are the giant robots made? This is one of the men behind the machines - a metalworker welding pieces at the Ban Hun Lek metalworks shop. PHOTO: AFP

Working on alien forms is the forte of this metalworker welding a statue inspired by aliens from the Alien vs Predator franchise. PHOTO: AFP

The art of his craft helps artist Phairote Thanomwong in his work as he operates mechanical toys at Ban Hun Lek. PHOTO: AFP

Artist Phairote Thanomwong draws inspiration from the Transformers, the Hulk and other pop icons to create the giant robots. PHOTO: AFP

Hoping to help transform the temples of Thailand, metalworkers at Ban Hun Lek do their bit to build giant robots to woo the younger generation. PHOTO: AFP

"Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry," says the Hulk. But this giant statue of the Hulk is unlikely to be furious. PHOTO: AFP

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