The Ghost of the Erawan Shrine

Let me share a scary experience I had in Bangkok a few years ago. The city is always lively—full of people, lights, and noise. But hidden in the middle of all that is a place with a dark secret: the The Erawan Shrine, formally the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine is a shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, It’s a popular spot where people go to pray for blessings like good health, love, and wealth. But not many know about the ghost that haunts it at night – The Ghost of the Erawan Shrine

It happened when I was in Bangkok for a short holiday. On my third night there, I was walking near the Ratchaprasong intersection, where the shrine is located. The area is surrounded by shopping malls, hotels, and busy streets. Even at night, it’s crowded and full of life. The air was thick with the smell of incense and street food, and I could hear prayers mixed with the sound of traffic.

It was already past 11 PM, and most of the people had left the shrine by then. There were only a few worshippers still around, lighting incense and praying. I decided to check it out. I’ve always been interested in spiritual places, so I wanted to see what it was like up close.

As I walked closer to the shrine, I noticed a man kneeling alone in front of it. He was dressed in white, but his clothes looked old, like something from the past. His back was facing me, so I couldn’t see his face. At first, I didn’t think much of it. Maybe he was deep in prayer, seeking help or guidance.

But then, the air around me suddenly became cold, which was strange because it had been hot all day. I started to feel uneasy. The man’s movements were slow and stiff, like something was wrong. There was a heavy feeling in the air, like the place was filled with sadness.

After a while, the man turned his head slightly, and I saw his face. I’ll never forget it. His skin was pale, almost gray, and his eyes—they were filled with deep sadness and pain. It wasn’t just normal sadness; it was like he had lost all hope. The sight of his eyes made my heart race. Something wasn’t right about him.

I felt a strong urge to go talk to him, so I slowly walked closer. But as I got near, he turned his head fully towards me and locked eyes with mine. Suddenly, the air became freezing cold, and I felt a shiver down my spine. I blinked, and just like that, he was gone. He disappeared without a trace. There was no sound, no movement—nothing.

I stood there, staring at the empty spot where he had been. My heart was pounding, and I felt fear grip me. I looked around to see if anyone else noticed, but everyone was going about their business as if nothing had happened. The shrine’s lights flickered for a moment, but everything else seemed normal. I felt dizzy and quickly walked away, trying to shake off the fear.

The next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. It felt so real, like I hadn’t imagined it. I started asking around about the shrine’s history. That’s when I learned about a tragic event that happened there years ago—a murder right on the shrine’s grounds.

Locals told me that a man, out of jealousy, killed his rival at the shrine. It was a violent attack, and the sacred ground was stained with blood. Since then, people have reported strange sightings at night—ghostly figures, cold spots, and a feeling of unease. Many believe that the ghost of the murdered man still haunts the shrine, waiting for justice or revenge.

When I heard this, I felt another chill run down my spine. Everything made sense—the sad eyes, the old clothes, the cold air. I realized that what I saw that night was the ghost of the man who was killed. His spirit is still there, trapped and searching for peace. Some locals avoid the shrine after dark because they believe the ghost is more active at night, looking for someone to help him or, worse, someone to blame.

After that night, I made sure not to go near the shrine at night again. Bangkok may be a lively city, but even in bright places, dark secrets can hide. I still think about that ghost sometimes, wondering if he’ll ever find peace or if he’s doomed to stay there forever, lost in his sorrow and anger.

So, if you ever visit the Erawan Shrine, especially late at night, be careful. Offer your prayers and leave quickly. Some spirits don’t rest easy, and not all of them are kind.

Siapon, Bangkok, Thailand