page_title: Ratchaprasong
hierarchical_section_title: Ratchaprasong
caption_attribution_description: English: Erawan Shrine, also called “Phra Prom Erawan”, is located at the front of Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Lumpinee subdistrict, Pathumwan district. The reason behind construction of this shrine was that Pol.Gen. Phao Sriyanond, then Director General of Thailand's national police, had a plan to build Erawan hotel, but there were several difficulties and accidents during the construction. Thus, this project was frequently interrupted during the first 2-3 years.RADM Luang Suwicha, a medical doctor from the Royal Thai Navy advised that since “Erawan” was derived from the name of an elephant used by Vishnu as a vehicle, and thus was sacred, there was a need to hold a ritual ceremony so as for praying to Brahma for blessing before commencing the construction. The shrine was designed by Rawee Chomseri and M.L. PoumMalakul. The statue of Brahma was made out of plaster covered with gild, and was designed and sculptured by JitrePhimkovit – a renowned sculptor from Handicraft division, the Department of Fines Arts. On 9th November 1956, the statue was enshrined at the font of the hotel. Revered by both Thais and foreigners, it is considered the first large-sized shrine and a prototype for other later built Erawan shrines. Presently, the Erawan Shrine is under supervision of“Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation”.
context_page_description: Ratchaprasong is the name of an intersection, and a shopping district named after it, in Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, adjacent to the Siam area, at the BTS Skytrain's Chit Lom Station and the intersection of Phloen Chit, Rama I, and Ratchadamri Roads. The area is home to many shopping malls and hotels.
context_section_description: Ratchaprasong (Thai: ราชประสงค์, [râːt.t͡ɕʰā.prā.sǒŋ]; also spelled Rajprasong) is the name of an intersection, and a shopping district named after it, in Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, adjacent to the Siam area, at the BTS Skytrain's Chit Lom Station and the intersection of Phloen Chit, Rama I, and Ratchadamri Roads. The area is home to many shopping malls and hotels.
caption: Ratchaprasong junction and the Erawan Shrine, January 2015
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