Erawan Shrine, Bangkok 
View of Erawan Shrine from above. Photo
Marc Aurel.
The revered statue under its glittering canopy. Photo
Marc Aurel.
The Brahma statue with flower offerings. Photo
killerturnip.
Financial and spiritual meet in Bangkok: Erawan Shrine and Burberry.
Photo
Hirotomo Oi. 
Thai dancers can often be seen at Erawan. Photo
Fern Leyder.
Erawan Shrine in a cloud of incense smoke by night. Photo
Daniel Cheong.
Location map and aerial view of Erawan Shrine. For a larger interactive view, see our Bangkok Map.
The Erawan Shrine (officially named Thao Maha Brahma) in Bangkok is not old, but it is an interesting testament of the role of religion in modern Thai society.
History
The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 to appease the supposed evil forces that were taking the lives of construction workers and causing other calamities in the construction what is now the Grand Hyatt Erawan. The misfortunes were caused, it seemed, by starting the construction on an unfavorable date. After the shrine was erected, construction deaths stopped and the hotel grew very prosperous.
The apparent effectiveness of the monument made the shrine one of the most revered spots in Thailand. The great importance of the shrine became terribly apparent in 2006, when a mentally disturbed Thai man attacked the statue with a hammer - onlookers beat him to death in broad daylight. The statue was replaced within two months, incorporating pieces from the original image.
What to See
The Erawan Shrine is located on the northwest corner of the Grand Hyatt Erawan property, near the Chit Lom stop on the skytrain. It consists of a golden statue of the four-faced Hindu god Brahma, named Than Tao Mahaprom. The statue sits beneath a glittering canopy, surrounded by offerings of flowers, incese and candles.
The area is crowded with worshippers day and night and always wafting with incense smoke. It is also common to see people bowing as they pass by bus, taxi or above by skytrain.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Erawan Shrine; Thao Maha Brahma |
| Location: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Faith: | Hinduism |
| Dedication: | Brahma |
| Category: | Shrines |
| Date: | 1956 |
| Status: | active |
| Photo gallery: | Erawan Shrine Photo Gallery |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | 494 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand |
| Coordinates: | 13.744315° N, 100.540363° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Opening hours: | Daily dawn to 8pm |
| Cost: | Free. Flowers and incense start at 20B. |
Travel Resources
- Bangkok Map - our detailed interactive map of Bangkok, plus hand-picked links to more
- Bangkok Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Bangkok Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Bangkok
- Bangkok Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
- Frommer's Thailand
- Erawan Shrine - Wikipedia
Last updated on July 30, 2010.
