The Erawan Museum stands in Samut Prakan, on the south-eastern edge of Bangkok, beside Sukhumvit Road. You can spot it from far away: a three-headed metal elephant, 29 metres high, 39 metres long and weighing 250 tonnes, rises on a 15-metre pink pedestal. It depicts Erawan, the mount of the god Indra. The project was conceived by Lek Viriyaphant, who also founded the [Ancient City](/fr/attractions/ancient-city-muang-boran) and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. Inside, three levels follow the Traiphum, the Buddhist cosmology: the underworld, the human world and the heavens. Allow an hour and a half to two hours, gardens included.
Highlights
The Erawan elephant and its pedestal
Seen from the gardens, the elephant appears to rest on a pink pavilion decorated with stucco. The pedestal holds the first two levels of the museum; the third is inside the animal's belly. Take the time to walk around it: the three heads only show clearly from certain angles.
The underground level, Suvarnabhumi
In the basement, display cases present old ceramics from South-East Asia: Sukhothai and Sawankhalok stoneware, Lopburi-style pieces and benjarong porcelain. In the centre, a naga sculpture recalls the role of these mythical serpents, "the givers of water".
The human world and its stained-glass ceiling
The circular middle level is topped by a stained-glass ceiling made by a German artist. It uses only four colours, standing for the four elements: yellow for earth, white for air, red for fire, blue for water. Four octagonal pillars, decorated with scenes from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, support the hall. Two ornate staircases climb towards a Chinese-style door guarded by a stone statue of Guanyin.
The cosmos inside the elephant
The top level, set inside the animal's body, is a place of prayer. Its painted ceiling shows the solar system and the Milky Way. A footprint of the Buddha stands in front of a Sukhothai-style Buddha modelled on the one at Wat Benchamabophit, along with Buddha images lined up in chronological order.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Entry costs 500 baht per adult and 250 baht per child for foreign visitors, against 250 and 125 baht for Thai nationals (prices checked in October 2026). The ticket includes flowers, incense and a lotus for offerings, as well as access to the gardens; audio guides are available in English, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Thai. Dress respectfully: no sleeveless tops and no skirts above the knee. Food and drinks are not allowed inside. The Ancient City is served by the same BTS line, further south: the two visits can be combined in one day, to plan for in your [Bangkok budget](/fr/articles/budget-voyage-bangkok).
How to get there
BTS Sukhumvit Line (green), Chang Erawan station (E17), exit 2, then about ten minutes on foot along Sukhumvit Road. Address: 99/9 Moo 1, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Mueang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10270.
Opening hours
Nearby
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