Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing marble for the hotel, a Brahmin priest was consulted. Since the hotel was to be named
after the elephant escort of Indra in Hindu mythology, the priest determined that Erawan
required a passenger, and suggested it be that of Lord Brahma. A statue was built and, lo
and behold, the misfortunes miraculously ended.
Although the original Erawan Hotel was demolished in 1987, the shrine still exists, and
today remains an important place of pilgrimage for Thais, particularly those in need of
some material assistance. Those making a wish from the statue should ideally come
between 7am and 8am, or 7pm and 8pm, and should offer a specific list of items that in-
cludes candles, incense, sugar cane or bananas, all of which are almost exclusively given
in multiples of seven. Particularly popular are teak elephants, the money gained through
the purchase of which is donated to a charity run by the current hotel, the Grand Hyatt
Erawan. And as the tourist brochures depict, it is also possible to charter a classical Thai
dance, often done as a way of giving thanks if a wish has been granted.
