While it’s the official emblem of the Thai government, you will also frequently see garuda statues outside banks and stores throughout the kingdom.
The huge, bird-like creature is found within both Buddhist and Hindu mythologies, which refer to its immortality, great power, and a sharp wit. As well as being the national symbol of Thailand, it’s also the national symbol of Indonesia, as well as representing Ulaan Bator, the capital city of Mongolia.
Getting permission to erect a Garuda statue in front of a bank or store is no easy task, and it can be even more difficult to locate an artist willing to work on a garuda, since many fear its immense power. Afixing the eyes to a statue can be a particularly nerve-wracking experience for some since in folklore, the garuda’s eyes are said to contain incredible destructive powers.
 Specialist skills
Sanya Wongaram, a professor at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Art Education, is skilled in the art of crafting garuda statues. Indeed, he created his first one while still a student.
“I began on the first one while I was in the third year at Silpakorn University [in 1967],” Sanya said. “[Master craftsman] Luang Visarn asked me to create a garuda statue for a building within Muang Boran [The Ancient City, Samut Prakan province]. We used traditional methods, combining lime with fine grains of sand, tung oil and Gadat Sa [a traditional form of paper made from the branches of Mulberry plants]. Using this method ensures maximum strength,” Sanya said.
After graduating, Sanya was asked to create an eight-meter-high garuda statue for Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)’s Pratunam branch. Once this had been successfully completed, Sanya received several more commissions from stores and banks. These included requests from Bangkok Bank (for its headquarters in Silom Road), United Machinery, and Unilever (for its new head office).
Sanya estimates that he has now overseen the construction of up to 100 garuda statues.
 Artistic inheritance
Pichet
Ya mprasert operates a company called TP Advertising and Design. As well as producing advertising signs, Pichet is also utilizing the valuable skills his father passed on to him by producing garuda statues.
The company has now been producing garuda statues, and other official state emblems, for more than 30 years. It is estimated that Pichet’s company has been responsible for producing up to 90% of all garuda statues. Individuals working on a freelance basis, such as Sanya, are responsible for producing the remainder.
Assuming the specifications required are achievable given TP’s manpower and equipment, the company can produce many different types of garudas. The cost varies depending on the materials used (ranging from bronze to fiberglass), and the deadline for completion. Among TP’s regular customers are SCB, TMB Bank, Esso (Thailand), and the CP Group.
Same, same but different
Anyone contemplating erecting a garuda statue must first approach the Bureau of the Royal Household. It will provide design guidelines, and is responsible for making annual adjustments regarding the color of the garuda’s costume.
Despite these official guidelines, it is possible for the creator of each sculpture to make subtle adjustments so that each statue has some “individual” features. For example, an artist with a special insight into bird plumage may wish to make minor adjustments to the garuda design to reflect such special expertise. This could enhance the appearance of the creature by making it appear stronger or more powerful.
Pichet says his father also chose to give each design an individualized feature or two to reflect the business of the person responsible for commissioning it.
“Sharp-nailed garudas are usually seen on the front of courthouses. This gives them the appearance of being both sacred and scary. These are usually dressed in the style of an ancient nobleman,” Pichet said. “The face of a garuda used by a private company is softer, even angelic, and its posture is more like that of a traditional dancer.”
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 Fully fit
All garudas produced by TP feature rock-hard abs and a trim waist since it is thought that an unfit and overweight garuda wouldn’t be able to fly.
A garuda outside CP Group’s Silom office has a serious face, long, fully stretched wings, and ultra-thin wrists. This particular feature arose since it was felt that the creatures’ thin wrists would make it feel hungrier more often so it would therefore need to eat more often. It was thought that activity would lead the company to earn more income.
In contrast, the garuda developed for SCB has a gentler appearance, based on the belief that it might woo more customers on to the bank’s premises. – Translated into English and republished with the kind permission of Manager Online.
A ‘mark of honor’
Being in possession of a garuda statue with the pronouncement, ‘With His Majesty the King’s Royal Permission’ is considered the greatest honor for a private company in Thailand.
To gain Royal approval, a company must first check whether or not it possesses all the necessary requirements listed under Issue 56 of the Royal Gazette (1939). Among these are: being a legally-registered company in good standing (financially); being a trustworthy enterprise among Thai citizens over a long period of time; being operated legally and honestly; and; being free of debt.
Once a company receives approval from His Majesty the King, the prime minister is responsible for issuing an official letter declaring this status to the company.
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Art & Culture 
Art & Culture
Thailand is home to a rich cultural heritage with distinct spiritual and art lineages. Gain insight into the ways of Thai culture passed down through the centuries in addition to its more modern variations through original Art & Culture articles.
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