San Phra Phrom or Erawan Shrine was created as a spirit house connected to the
Erawan Hotel, which has now made way for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.
The forces of the typical Thai spirit house didn’t seem effective
enough during the building of the hotel, so
spiritual persons advised that it should be replaced with
the four-headed image of Brahma or Phra
Phrom in Thai.
There have been no further hitches
since then, and the shrine has become
famous for bringing good
fortune. The name Erawan comes from
Brahma's thirty-three headed elephant.
People
offer colourful flower garlands, lotus, incense and candles.
Often, if a wish has been granted, people thank the spirits by donating
teak elephants or commissioning the classical Thai dancers and live orchestra.