Erawan Shrine Tours and Activities

Erawan Shrine which includes street scenes, religious elements and a city
Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine featuring flowers


A Hindu deity in a Buddhist city, this statue-shrine is full of controversy and contradiction. Crowds flock here hoping Brahma's good fortune will smile upon them.

If you want to get close to the contradictions at the heart of modern-day Bangkok, come to the Erawan Shrine, holding sway over a busy intersection in the non-descript Pathum Wan district. A shimmering gold shrine, housing a Hindu god in a devoutly Buddhist country, a few minutes spent here will tell you more about Thailand's past, present and future than an hour of well-meant study at the city's more noteworthy attractions.

That's if you can fight your way through the crowds. Bangkok's masses are likely to have beaten you to it first, eager to lay their gifts of flowers, candles, incense and replica statues. They are looking to win favour and good fortune from the smiling four-face golden statue of Brahma. 'Than Tao Mahaprom' is what they call him. But there's no getting away from the fact that this is a Hindu deity, venerated by Buddhists for whom – according to the Buddha's teachings – gods don't exist.

This supremely sacred site – so sacred that the crowds beat to death a person who intended to vandalise the site in 2006 – is anything but ancient. In fact, it was only erected here in 1956. The reason? To stop a series of unfortunate events plaguing the construction of the Erawan hotel. Hardly grounds for holy ground you might think. But the point is that the shrine did the trick. The hotel was built, prospered mightily and pilgrim numbers swelled. The Thais, it seems, love a good-luck story.

It also shows how religion in this often modern-looking city is anything but skin-deep. Beliefs run deep, still vibrantly connected to the 2,500 year old Buddha who came from India, once worshipped Hindu gods and preached the sanctity of all life. So come and watch the traditional dancers, pay to release the caged birds, or buy good fortune with some flowers. But remember that, in this most incongruous of spots, you're not watching a tourist show. You're observing how the Thais carry on their spiritual story-telling in a world of shopping malls and Burberry stores.

Plan a trip to see Erawan Shrine

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Top Erawan Shrine Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Asia Hotel Bangkok
Asia Hotel Bangkok
4 out of 5
296 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, Bangkok
Asia Hotel Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
5 out of 5
153/2 Mahatlek Luang 1, Ratchadamri Rd, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
Mandarin Hotel Managed by Centre Point
Mandarin Hotel Managed by Centre Point
4.5 out of 5
662 Rama IV Road, Bangkok, Bangkok
Mandarin Hotel Managed by Centre Point
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
5 out of 5
494 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok, Bangkok
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
5 out of 5
151 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection by IHG
Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection by IHG
5 out of 5
68 Langsuan Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok
Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection by IHG
Rosewood Bangkok
Rosewood Bangkok
5 out of 5
1041/38 Ploenchit Rd, Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok
Rosewood Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Ploenchit
Grande Centre Point Ploenchit
5 out of 5
100 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Bangkok, Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Ploenchit
Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Centara Grand at CentralWorld
5 out of 5
999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok
Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.