Erawan Museum

The Erawan Museum

PLACE: THE ERAWAN MUSEUM (พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ)
LOCATION: Samrong Nua sub-district in Amphoe Mueang district
GPS Coordinates: 13.629111, 100.589228
OPENING HOURS: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WEBSITE: www.ancientcitygroup.net
ADMISSION: 400 Baht/200 Baht for adults/children. After 5:00 p.m. it is half price at 200 Baht/100 Baht. Thai price is 200 Baht/100 Baht. After 5:00 p.m. it is 100 Baht/50 Baht for them. Foreigners who live and work in Thailand can get Thai price by showing proof of residence. For example, work permit, Thai driver’s license, Non-B or O visa, marriage license etc. Foreign tourists can get a reduced price of 300 Baht/200 baht if they book online at least 24 hours in advance. Click here.

As you drive into Samut Prakan Province from Bangkok, you can’t help but notice the giant three-headed elephant alongside Sukhumvit Road. This is the Erawan Museum contained within the world’s largest elephant. The height is about 50 metres or 15 storeys high. The five storey museum inside the elephant contains antiquities. The Erawan Museum is owned by the same company as Ancient Siam. You can join tours that go every half an hour. This starts in the base of the pedestal which is a kind of museum of antiquities. Then you go up inside right up to the belly of the elephant. Make sure that you check out the small window that gives you fine views of the surrounding area.

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PHOTO TIPS: The giant elephant faces West which means in the morning the sun is behind it. Unless you are going for a sunrise image, it won’t be easy to get a good head-on picture until around noon. If you do come in the morning, you will have to do a profile shot. The above two photos were taken for free without going inside. The first picture was taken from the road at the front. The second picture was taken from the Skytrain when it was going from BTS Pu Chao to BTS Chang Erawan. Most trains have advertisements pasted onto the windows. However, the windows at the very front and very back are often clear. This is where I took this picture.

The Erawan Museum
Aerial photo of the giant three-headed elephant and the outer ring road taken before the arrival of the skytrain

Map for The Erawan Museum:

Getting there: The easiest way from Bangkok is to take the Skytrain to BTS Pu Chao station (Green Line). From here, either take a motorcycle taxi for 20 Baht or flag down a passing songtaew for 8 Baht. This journey is only three minutes. Walking is 12 minutes. If you go to the next stop at BTS Chang Erawan, you have a 12 minute walk back, but at least you get a nice view from the train as you pass the elephant. You can also take Bus no. 25, 142, 365 and air-con bus 102, 507, 511, 536 as they go past the museum. Click here for more information on transport.

If you are driving, take the expressway and get off at the Bang Na intersection, following the signs for Samut Prakan. Alternatively, just take Sukhumwit Road all the way if the traffic isn’t bad. You need to pay attention as you get close to the museum as it is also the entrance/exit for the Kanchanaphisek Outer Ring Road. You need to turn left following the sign for “Bang Na” but don’t go up the ramp to the Outer Ring Road. Take the road on the left of the ramp and then do a u-turn under it. You will then see the parking for The Erawan Museum almost straight away on your left.

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Tourist attractions in this area:

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Amphoe Mueang district:

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Samrong Nua sub-district:

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Samut Prakan is divided into six districts: Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Bang Bo, Amphoe Bang Phli, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng, Amphoe Phra Samut Chedi and Amphoe Bang Sao Thong. Click on the links to see tourist attractions from each of those districts. Or click here to see a Map of Tourist Attractions in Samut Prakan Province.

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