Erawan Shrine

The shrine was erected to appease spirits believed to be causing a string of accidents and delays during the construction of the original Erawan Hotel in 1956. Royal astrologers advised installing a Brahma (Phra Phrom) shrine on the site, after which the construction problems reportedly ceased. The hotel was later demolished, but the shrine itself became a major devotional landmark in central Bangkok.

The shrine is dedicated to Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creator god Brahma. Devotees—most of them Buddhist—make offerings of flowers, incense, and wooden elephants in exchange for blessings. The four-faced statue is a popular focus for prayers related to business success, examinations, and personal protection.

On August 17, 2015, a bomb exploded at the Erawan Shrine during the evening, killing 20 people and injuring more than 120 others in one of the deadliest attacks in modern Bangkok. The blast damaged the statue, which was subsequently repaired and reconsecrated. Two ethnic Uyghur suspects were tried in connection with the bombing; investigations suggested the motive was tied to Thailand's forced repatriation of Uyghur migrants earlier that year.

Devotees commonly buy garlands of jasmine and marigolds, incense sticks, gold leaf, and small carved wooden elephants to present to Phra Phrom. If a wish has been granted, it is customary to return and hire a troupe of traditional Thai dancers to perform as thanks. The shrine is busy from early morning to late evening, with flower vendors lining the surrounding pavement.