Erawan Museum

The Erawan Museum is a private museum in Samut Prakan built by businessman Lek Viriyaphant, who also created the Ancient City and the Sanctuary of Truth; construction began in 1994 and the museum opened in 2003. Its landmark is a three-headed elephant, Erawan, cast in copper: 29 m high and 39 m long on a 15 m pedestal, 43.6 m in total. Inside, three levels represent the underworld, the human world and heaven, holding Ming and Qing porcelain, a painted glass ceiling and, in the elephant's belly, Buddha images from the Lopburi, Ayutthaya, Lanna and Rattanakosin periods; pilgrims follow a path of shrines through the gardens. The museum stands on Sukhumvit Road at Bang Mueang Mai; take BTS Chang Erawan (E17), exit 2, then walk or use the museum's 20 baht shuttle. It opens daily from 09:00 to 18:00, with the ticket counter closing at 17:00. Adults pay 500 baht and children 250 baht, including flowers and incense; audio guides are available, and shoulders and knees should be covered.