Dancers perform traditional Thai dance in front of Optimus Prime statue after business success
On Monday (17 Feb), Hypnotized, a bar in Bangkok, posted a TikTok video showing four female dancers in traditional Thai attire performing a cultural dance in front of an Optimus Prime statue at an intersection in the Talad Noi district.
@hypnotized.bar แก้บน เพราะคนเต็มร้าน #ตลาดน้อย #hypnotizedbar
At one point, the dancers swapped their traditional headpieces for Optimus Prime and Bumblebee masks, adding a transformative twist to the scene.
The sight puzzled and amused many passers-by, who paused in curiosity to watch the performance, with some even whipping out their phones to snap pictures.
“Fulfilled vow because the restaurant was full,” reads the caption of the post.
Offered motor oil in hope of quick blessings
The video explains that the owner of the bar had prayed and made a wish for their business.
When it succeeded, they honoured their vow by arranging for dancers to perform in front of the Optimus Prime statue.
Source: @hypnotized.bar on TikTok
According to Thai news outlet Channel 7, motor oil was even offered in small bottles, with hopes that the robot ‘deity’ would remain well-lubricated, start smoothly, and grant blessings swiftly.
Many locals believe this is a marketing stunt by a newly opened restaurant.
Initially, the owners gave tea and coffee as regular offerings, which gained significant attention on social media.
Eventually, people jokingly suggested motor oil would be a more fitting offering, prompting the owners to follow through with the idea.
@hypnotized.bar Replying to @adisornpinkeaw มาแล้วครับผม บูชาท่านออพติมัส พราหมณ์ แบบเหมาะสม #สายมู
Netizens call actions ridiculous
While many were amused by the ritual, others criticised the belief, calling it absurd.
“This is out of line. It seems like Thai people don’t have anything to rely on these days,” one user commented on the post.
Source: อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว on Facebook
Another person remarked that education didn’t seem to help improve logical thinking in any way.
Source: อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว on Facebook
However, one woman urged people to leave them be, saying that what they did didn’t cause harm to anyone.
Translation: They are entitled to do so as long as it brings them happiness and doesn’t cause harm to others.
Source: อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว on Facebook
The ritual is widely practised by many Thais who enjoy praying and making wishes, though it is typically directed at a sacred statue, not a character from a toy franchise.
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Featured image adapted from @hypnotized.bar on TikTok and TikTok.
