Speaking yesterday after inspecting the statue, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said that the cracks on Phra Sakkaya Thossapholyarn, commonly known as the Big Buddha, signified

'bad luck and unusual incidents' in the country.

"If we restore the statue to its original condition it will create peace.

"And when the country is back to normal the morale of the people will rise and everyone will be happy," he said.

The statue, which depicts the Buddha walking, was built nearly 50 years ago and has never undergone major repairs or renovation.

Suwat said several long cracks, two to three centimetres in width, had been detected on the statue, which could trap rainwater and potentially lead to rust inside the metal statue.

Suwat, who supervises the Office of National Buddhism, said Bt7.5 million had been approved for initial repair work that would begin soon.

The Fine Arts Department and a number of private companies are expected to complete the renovation work sometime within the next several months, officials said

Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation