The Erawan Shrine sits at the intersection of two of Bangkok's busiest roads, surrounded by luxury hotels and shopping malls, with traffic roaring past on all sides — and somehow manages to be one of the most spiritually charged spots in the city. Built in 1956 to appease spirits that were supposedly causing construction problems at the adjacent Erawan Hotel, it's a Hindu shrine in a Buddhist country that's worshipped by people of all faiths, which tells you everything about Thai spirituality.
At any given moment, you'll see office workers on lunch breaks, taxi drivers between fares, and tourists pressed together around the small golden Brahma statue, lighting incense, laying garlands of jasmine and marigold, and making wishes. When a wish comes true, the grateful worshipper returns to hire the on-site Thai dance troupe to perform a traditional dance as thanks. The dancers in traditional costume performing to live music while skyscrapers loom behind them is one of Bangkok's most surreal and beautiful juxtapositions.
The shrine has been rebuilt after being damaged in a bombing in 2015, and the security is now tighter, but the atmosphere remains intensely devotional. It's free to visit, takes five minutes to see, and sits right next to the BTS Skytrain — making it one of the easiest and most rewarding quick stops in the city.
Verified Facts
The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 to counter bad luck during the construction of the Erawan Hotel
The shrine houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god Brahma
The shrine was damaged in a bombing on 17 August 2015
Traditional Thai dancers can be hired at the shrine to perform when wishes are fulfilled
Get walking directions
Ratchadamri Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
