Thailand - superheroes from scrap
A workshop in the central Thai province of Ang Thong is a sci-fi nerd's dream come true. Here, artists transform scrap into beloved comic superheroes, including Transformers and the Incredible Hulk.
House of robots
A stormtrooper and two aliens guard the "House of Steel Robots" in central Thailand, about 100 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok. For more than 15 years, the facility has transformed scrapped cars into popular characters from comic books, science fiction and pop culture. The facility has a showroom, a museum and a workshop.
A Transformer as tall as a bus
It won't fit in your living room, but is an impressive alternative to your regular off-the-shelf garden gnome. At "Ban Hun Lek," which means "House of Steel Robots" in Thai, seemingly worthless mechanical junks are given rebirth by the workshop's artisans.
Working out with the Increbible Hulk
The green giant from Marvel's comic universe is pumping iron. Everything has been made from thousands of scrap metal pieces. About 90 percent of the sculptures have been recycled.
Michael's legend
Michael Jackson, whose "moonwalk" costume has gained a legendary status, stands along Transformer and other comic book characters.
A child's dream
The "House of Steel Robots" was founded by Pairoj Thanomwong. As a child, he would collect models of action heroes from movies and TV. But back then, they were rather small and made from plastic.
Alongside Buddha
Restaurant owners use these scrap superheroes for promotional purposes. Even temples exhibit them alongside the revered Buddha. While parents pray inside the temple, these comic superheroes keep their children busy.
Expensive, but totally worth it
The workshop also creates models of animals, tables, chairs and other furniture items. Their prices vary depending on the size of the model and the amount of time went into sculpting them. Some objects are worth several thousand dollars.