If your stuck with an afternoon to kill, you could do much worse than visiting the huge, three-headed elephant statue standing upon an equally monstrous pedestal at the Samut Prakan’s Erawan Museum.
The absolute size of the towering statue atop of the temple dominates the the surrounding skyline at over 29 metres high.
It is claimed the statue itself weighs in at 250 tons and is cast in pure green-hued copper.
It took almost ten years to construct from conception to completion.
The museum is strangely positioned right next to the busy Bangkok freeway, which is a stark contrast to the beautifully manicured gardens within the grounds.
The 3 headed elephant itself strikes a war-like demeanor with trunks the size of Banyan trees and is a tribute to Hindu Mythology’s Airavata or Erawan.
Within the museums 3 levels which all symbolise part of the Thai cosmos, the rooms are adorned with Eastern antiques, religious iconography and some stained glass windows which scream psychedelia.
This creation is one mans dream come to fruition. This man, Lek Viriyapant, who also conceived the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, had the aim to create a space worthy of his vast collection of Asian antiquities and to preserve them for Thai people and their admiration.
You can spend hours enjoying quiet reflection within Erawan’s tropical grounds which are filled with rare flora with hidden benches and pavilions to comfortably sit and reflect.
You are invited to explore the stone pathways, crossing over small streams while admiring the West Indian Jasmine, Ixora Bush and African Oil Palms.
Carp fill the rock ponds and are all to eager to enjoy some food on offer for 5THB a bag.