I’ve visited quite a few museums across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, but the Erawan Museum easily stands out for its extraordinary design. Unlike the typical colonial-style museums found in the region, this one is housed inside a massive three-headed elephant sculpture, inspired by the mythological creature Airavata (called Erawan in Thai). Located in Samut Prakan Province, about 20 kilometers southeast of central Bangkok, the museum is impossible to miss even from the roadside, thanks to its colossal bronze elephant towering above the surrounding buildings. For this day trip, I chose to take a shared transportation van, though the museum is also quite accessible via the BTS Sukhumvit Line. You can simply alight at Chang Erawan Station and walk around 15 minutes to reach the museum.
The Erawan Museum was the brainchild of Lek Viriyaphant (1914–2000), a Thai entrepreneur and passionate patron of Thai arts and culture. Originally known for his success in the automotive industry, Lek acquired Thonburi Panich Co., Ltd. in 1941, which held the rights to distribute and service Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Thailand. He later established the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant in 1961 to assemble luxury cars locally in Samut Prakan. Beyond his business ventures in automobiles, finance, and insurance, Lek was deeply committed to preserving Thai cultural heritage. His love for traditional art, antiques, and architecture led to the creation of landmark projects that reflect Thai spirituality and aesthetics.
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| The colossal three-headed elephant, Erawan, makes this museum instantly recognizable |
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| This massive bronze sculpture weighs over 250 tons and on the pedestal, it stands nearly 44 meters tall |
Today, the museum is operated by the Ancient City Group, a cultural organization founded by Khun Lek and his wife Prapai Viriyaphant. In addition to the Erawan Museum, the group also manages two other iconic sites: the sprawling Ancient City (Muang Boran), a vast open-air museum showcasing replicas of historic Thai structures and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, an intricately carved wooden structure that remains under construction, symbolizing the intersection of art, faith, and philosophy. It’s worth noting that the Erawan Museum should not be mistaken for the similarly named Erawan Shrine located at the bustling Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok. While the Erawan Shrine is dedicated to Phra Phrom—the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation—this museum draws its inspiration from another figure in Hindu mythology: Airavata, known in Thai as Erawan. This majestic three-headed white elephant is said to be the divine mount of Indra, the king of the gods and deity of thunder, rain, and lightning. In Thai culture, Erawan also symbolizes purity, strength, and spiritual protection. Interestingly, the image of a white elephant once graced the former flag of the Siamese kingdom, reflecting its sacred status in Thai tradition—long before being replaced by the modern red-white-blue tricolor flag of Thailand.
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| In the Earthly Realm, the grand staircase and stained-glass ceiling blend Eastern myths with Western artistry |
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| A statue of Buddha meditating under Mucalinda, the serpent king, radiates calm and protection |
The idea for the Erawan Museum originated from Khun Lek, a natural extension of his lifelong devotion to art, spirituality, and the preservation of Thai heritage. Khun Lek and his wife were deeply committed to preserving and revitalizing Thai culture, believing that its decline stemmed from a lack of meaningful understanding among people in the modern world. Their mission was to create spaces where art, heritage, and history could be appreciated in ways that resonate with contemporary society. Though construction began in 1994 based on his vision, it was his eldest son, Pagpean Viriyapant, who oversaw the museum's construction. Unfortunately, both father and son did not live to see its completion. Nonetheless, the family's heirs fulfilled their legacy, ensuring the museum opened to the public in 2003. More than just a gallery displaying Khun Lek's renowned collection, the Erawan Museum has also become a place of spiritual devotion for many Thai visitors—even before its construction was completed. To serve this purpose, the museum incorporates a pilgrimage pathway and several shrines where visitors can pay respects to sacred beings from both Buddhist and Brahman-Hindu traditions.
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| One of the four central pillars, this column represents Christianity’s presence in Thailand |
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| The highest level within the elephant symbolizes the cosmos—quiet, sacred, and timeless |
The entire structure of the museum—including the towering elephant sculpture—stands at an impressive 43.6 meters high, roughly equivalent to a 14-story building. The elephant itself measures 39 meters in length and 12 meters in width, covered with copper sheets. Due to its sheer size, the elephant’s body weighs around 150 tons, while the head alone weighs approximately 100 tons. The museum is divided into three symbolic levels inspired by the cosmological realms in Buddhist belief. Visitors begin their journey in the basement level, situated beneath the elephant’s pedestal, which represents the Underworld, or also known as Suvannabhumi. As a sacred space, shoes must be removed before entering, and photography is not allowed here. This level houses an exquisite collection of antique artifacts, including ancient ceramics and traditional Thai Benjarong porcelain—symbolizing the legacy of past lives and civilizations.
The second level, located within the main pedestal base, symbolizes the Human World. This realm reflects our earthly and spiritual journey. The centerpiece is a grand hall adorned with intricate mythological sculptures, colorful murals, and a magnificent stained-glass ceiling designed by renowned German artist Jacob Schwarzkopf (1926–2001). The design merges Eastern and Western artistic elements and conveys the idea of spiritual ascent. Four monumental tin-clad pillars support the space, each representing one of the world’s major religions—Theravāda Buddhism, Mahāyāna Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity—highlighting shared universal values across faiths.
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| Mythical Makara creatures grace the garden pond of the lush Himavanta-inspired landscape |
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| Walking beneath the bellies of sacred elephant statues is believed to bring good fortune |
To reach the third and highest level of the museum—housed within the body of the massive three-headed elephant—visitors can take either a wooden staircase or an elevator. This uppermost realm, known as the Heavenly Realm or Cosmos Level, represents the divine world. The interior is painted to resemble the vastness of the universe, with depictions of the sun, stars, and asteroids adorning the ceiling. This sacred space also enshrines several Buddha statues from different historical periods—Lopburi, Lanna, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin—with a prominent Sukhothai-style statue placed in front of the altar. Though the enclosed space, lacking windows, may feel slightly claustrophobic to some, its serene ambiance has turned it into a quiet sanctuary where many pause for worship and reflection.
Surrounding the main building, the lush garden area offers another space for spiritual engagement. Designed to evoke the mythical Himavanta Forest, it is filled with endemic plants from across Thailand, symbolic statues of legendary creatures, and numerous elephant figures in varying sizes. Among them are rows of Vishnupong, Shivapong and Bhramapong elephants, whose bellies visitors can walk under—a gesture believed in Thai tradition to bring good fortune and prosperity. In its entirety, the Erawan Museum is far more than a visual marvel. It’s a place where mythology, art, spirituality, and heritage converge. Whether you're drawn by its monumental architecture or its layers of cultural meaning, a visit here leaves you with a sense of wonder—and a deeper appreciation for Thailand’s timeless spiritual legacy.
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| A statue of Khun Lek and Khun Prapai Viriyapant stands in tribute to their cultural legacy |
Erawan Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ
Location 99/9 Moo 1, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Meung Mai, Amphoe Meung, Samut Prakan, Thailand
Opening Hours
Daily, 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM
Ticket close at 05.00 PM
Admission Fee
Adult - 500 Baht
Children - 250 Baht
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