Erawan Museum

The Erawan Museum is a distinctive private museum in Bang Muang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand, famous for its colossal 29-meter, 250-ton three-headed elephant sculpture standing on a pink pedestal. Conceived by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant and opened in 2003, it houses his collection of Thai antiques, religious artifacts and art across three symbolic floors representing the underworld, earth and heaven within landscaped gardens.

Visitors can expect a large outdoor garden leading to a massive three-headed elephant statue elevated on a building. Inside, three levels are accessible: a basement collection of antiques and ceramics, a middle floor with stained-glass ceiling and ornate staircases, and a top floor shrine housing Buddha relics. The interior features intricate stucco, stained glass, and religious art. Visitors explore exhibition halls, a tropical garden with sculptures, and can take photos of the exterior and interior architecture.

Conceived by Thai businessman and philanthropist Lek Viriyaphant (1914-2000), founder of the Ancient City (Muang Boran) and Sanctuary of Truth. Construction of the Erawan Museum began in 1994 and was completed in 2003, opening to the public in 2003 to house his private collection of Thai art and antiques and to preserve Thai cultural heritage.

Represents the Hindu-Buddhist cosmology of the universe through its three levels symbolizing the underworld, human earth, and heaven. The three-headed elephant is Erawan (Airavata), the mythical elephant of Indra in Hindu mythology, significant in Thai culture. The museum displays Buddhist art, religious relics, and traditional craftsmanship reflecting Thai spiritual and artistic heritage.