Thao Maha Brahma

Go anywhere near Gaysorn Plaza, Chitlom or Central World in Bangkok and you will likely pass Thao Maha Brahma, known to us as the Erawan Shrine.

Although I managed to grab a moment of comparative quiet for the first shot above; this place is busy all the time, with supplicants bringing in boxes of flowers, wooden elephants, fruit and caged birds. Attendants move constantly round the shrine, clearing space ready for the next bunch of gift-givers.

The only obvious money-making enterprise is the rent-a-dance combo who will do an appropriate jig, play a tune, and sing a little song while you have a pray; for a fee.

Photographing around the shrine is surprisingly difficult. Because visitors visit all four heads of the Brahma god; there is a constant rotation, and no clear point to get clear shots. Add in the harsh light and the occasionally dense clouds of incense smoke, and I was pleased to grab these, all taken with the E-M5 and the Olympus 75mm:

Comments 🔗

2013-03-25 | robin says

I especially like the freeing of the bird.

2013-03-25 | Spike says

Thanks; the colour or the B&W shot?

2013-03-26 | Chang Noi says

Thanks for the photos. I used to work nearby and would just site there in the evening and watch people from all walk of life doing their thing there. Looking at the kind of people you could tell what time it was.

2013-03-27 | Matt says

I have said it before and I like these so much I’ll say it again - you are very good at street photography, that for me, captures much of the essence of Thailand - more please!

Thanks Matt

2013-03-27 | Spike says

Thank you Matt, much appreciated. I might let the weather cool down a bit before I hit the streets again!