Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation
A Thai Optimus Prime creator clashed with a coffee shop and cocktail bar after a refusal to support his donation campaign to build two new figures following the viral and allegedly sacred figure near Bangkok’s Chinatown.
The coffee shop and cocktail bar, Hypnotized, made the Optimus Prime figure go viral after sharing videos of offerings, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional Thai dance performances, to the figure. The videos inspired other stores in the area to create similar content featuring the figure.
Moreover, some Thai people genuinely believed in the figure’s magical power and began praying to it, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to intervene for safety reasons. The BMA stated that the activities were obstructing traffic in the area and could also pose a danger to the worshippers themselves.
Following the viral story, attention turned to the owner of the figure, Aree “Seng” Manatsapakorn, better known as Hia Seng Talat Noi. Seng is a prominent business operator in Thailand’s engine spare parts industry.
In interviews with several media outlets, Seng stated that he had crafted the Optimus Prime figure, along with others, using engine parts from vehicles damaged in accidents. He also expressed his willingness to sell all of the figures, including Optimus Prime, if anyone was interested.
Recently, a video featuring a confrontation between Hypnotized and Seng was shared on Thai social media. In the video, Seng was seen going on a rampage, striking the store counter, cursing at the workers and owners, and allegedly screaming that they all die.
“From now on, I wish that whoever drinks coffee here and then makes a wish to Optimus Prime dies. I also wish for your store to go bankrupt. You are all lackeys. Cut the crap! You are such lackeys!”
Gratitude to figure
Seng was reportedly furious because he launched a donation campaign for two new figures, but Hypnotized refused to contribute.
The store manager later told ThaiRath that Seng visited the shop to request a donation for the construction of two new figures. However, as the owner was not present, the manager was unable to confirm any contribution.
The manager promised to raise the matter with the owner but had not received an answer a few days later, which led to Seng’s outburst.
Seng admitted to his actions, arguing that Hypnotized gained viral fame because of his figure.
He claimed he approached the store three times without receiving an answer, while most other shops in the area had supported him without issue.
During an interview, Seng stated…
“I did not force the store to support me. The owner could donate any amount. There are more than 100 stores in the area, and they have no issue with me. They gave me 500 or 1,000 baht, and that was the end of it. This store kept avoiding giving me an answer. Why the f*ck did they do this? Just that.”
Seng added that he was in the right and that Hypnotized’s owner already called him to apologise.
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