Erawan Shrine or San Phra Phrom is located diagonally opposite to Central World Shopping Mall (former World Trade Centre) at the junction of Ratchadamri Road and Phloenchit Road , and also within walking distance if you are coming from Pratunam, MBK or Siam square. the four-headed statue is an image of Brahma or Phra Phrom in Thai- a class of celestial beings but not Lord Buddha. Locals believe that prayers will be answered when one prays to this Buddha.The place is popular among Asian tourists and  many locals come here and  make  offering. This place can be crowded on certain times.

In the past, the Shrine was built as a spirit house - home to the guardian of the place/building for the Erawan Hotel which has now made way for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The gilded plaster statue was enshrined on November 9, 1956  and  devotees from all over the world will come and pay homage to the highly revered deity on this date.  If so, please mark this date on your calender. Unfortunately, the original status was destroyed by a demented man in March 2006 and a replacement was built in May 2006.  The name Erawan comes from Brahma’s thirty-three headed elephant.

The Four-Faced Buddha literally has four faces. The first Face starts in a clockwise direction from the entrance of the shrine which represents the Face of Peace and Health, Face of Good Fortune, Face of Good Relationships and Face of Protection against Evils. People offer garlands of marigold flowers, lotus, young coconuts, candles and incense sticks to the Four-Faced Budhha at the 4 corners in a clockwise direction. Often, if a wish has been granted, people thank the spirits by donating teak elephants, gigantic candles or commissioning the classical Thai dancers and musicians to perform to the Gods. Many Thai use gold leaf and make an offering-by placing the gold on the wooden elephants. An urn of holy water  is located at the  corner of the Shrine and people usually sprinkle the water over their heads and shoulders  or dropping coins into the water for good luck after prayer.

Price for the dancers to dance for you

2 dancers = 260 Baht

4 dancers = 360 Baht

6 dancers = 610 Baht

8 dancers = 710 Baht

 Visiting Times:

Brahma Shrine: 6.00-23.00 hrs

Getting There:

Skytrain to Siam Square if you are from the Silom Line or skytrain to Chit Lom Station if you are in Sukhumvit Line.

Text & Photo: Courtesy of Eugene Tang. All Rights Reserved.