A visit to the old Erawan Hotel - September 3, 2005
Long a Bangkok landmark, the old Erawan Hotel stood at the corner of Rajaprasong intersection. It was built in 1956 and torn down in 1987. A new highrise hotel was built in its place.
Unless otherwise noted, the receipts and images on this page are from a brochure, circa 1963.
Ratchaprasong intersection over time - June 22, 2006
More on the Crucible of Construction
Another hotel from days gone by: Siam Intercontinental Hotel
(Photo: Undated postcard from the 2Bangkok.com collection)
Above: This is the existing shrine that stands at Rajaprasong intersection
Also: Destruction of the Phra Prom statue
Below: The Shrine today. Note the new Erawan Hotel/Shopping Center behind it.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Undated postcard)
(Image: Advertisement from Siam Directory, 1963-1964)
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I stayed at the old Erawan Hotel in around 1965. It had a very beautiful swimming pool with a rockface cascade, that we children spent a lot of time swimming in. The hotel staff were so friendly and smiling, we really liked our stay, and it is one of my happiest memories of travelling as a child. We had a chambermaid who played hide-and-seek with us, and hid by standing out on a narrow ledge on the outside of the hotel! The luggage stickers for the hotel were the three-headed elephant god, very ornate, and I still have one preserved as a happy memory.
I was very sorry three years ago when I had the chance to re-visit Bangkok to discover that the old hotel was long gone. I would have liked to have stayed there again.
My family and I lived at the Erawan for six months following our arrival in Bangkok. I was 9, my sister 7 – perfect ages to while away whole days lying by the pool. There was a band that played outdoors, and we became very friendly with one of the singers, who would call out our names from behind the mic. Oh. didn’t we feel so special! The room service waiters all knew us, and let us sign our own bills – I remember signing ‘Starfish Smith’ once.
At 9 I was already a very seasoned traveler, hard to impress me! …lol…but the Erawan certainly did, with its sophistication and luxury. One of the resaurants, Le Cave, had psuedo rock walls painted white – to resemble a cave, I’m sure. On the few occasions that my parents took us there they made us promise, “No touching the walls!”. Which we then promptly did, of course.
One thing I had not yet encountered was a bidet, standard in every Erawan bathroom. It made for all manner of fun, particulary if a Barbie was involved.
I have such wonderful memories of that time, and of all the wonderful people I met at the Erawan.
Sawassdee Krub
Thanks very much
All of you who use the service ERAWAN HOTEL
I am a former employee
Main Kitchen
Best Regards
Pranot Srisamai
Lived in Bangkok 1965-1968. The Cave was my favorite place that my parents took to eat. The Filet Mignon was the best food I had ever tasted at 13 years old. Bangkok was still very French, lots of U.S. Military there then. I went to school at I.S.B., anyone know what that was?
I went to ISB as well, but you were older than I was.
Glenn Gerry
ISB class of 72
Lived at the Erawan for several months. A fantastic hotel.
I was in Bangkok from 1966 – 1969 when my dad worked for VOA. We stayed at the Erawan for a couple of months and I loved the place! My sister, brother, and I spent lots of time in and around the pool.
I attended ISB on Soi 15 for two years, and spent the last year at the new Bangsue campus. Lots of memories.
I lived in Bangkok with my family from 1961 – 1962. I remember the Erawan was just about the fanciest hotel in Bangkok then. Although we would go to the Normandy Grill at the top of the Oriental Hotel for special occasions. It was definitely a landmark, especially with the shrine on the corner. Nice to know the shrine is still there.
Pete, was I.S.B. the International School in Bangkok? That’s where we went too.
Yes it was the International School. My dad was a civil engineer working in irrigation projects through out south east Asia. Came back to the states in 1968 to go to High School. Many memories of Pattaya. I was in the Boy Scouts there, we had our summer camp at the site of the Bridge on the River Kwai. Also to a train trip to Penang to visit the Aussie scouts. Would love to go back.
We were probably in the same troop together. Lots of great memories of camping along the River Kwai, and the trip to Penang.
Bangkok Landmark, The Old ERAWAN HOTEL
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I lived in Bangkok from December, 1965 to August, 1974. My mom used to take me to the Erawan Hotel Bakery next to the antique shop many, many times. During a visit in May of 1987, I stayed in a room on the second floor. By that time one wing of the hotel, facing the bakery side, was closed off. It certainly brings back memories. Thank you very much.
From the mid sixties till they closed my father ate lunch at the coffee shop by the pool almost every day of the week! Except Thursdays since that was Rotary Club lunch day. I joined him for lunch many times and it is some of the best memories of my life. Many Sunday brunches and other meals there too. Loved the atmosphere there and since all the hotel staff knew my father I could go there and just eat and walk out. My father got the bill later! The bakery had the best chocolate cake with pistachio nut creme between the layers I have ever had!
One of my father’s best friends, Roy Whitehead, lived there for about 20 years and only moved out when they closed for renovations.
Sid- I ate lunch there too, sometimes. I really liked sitting by the pool. I was well located. Design Thai was kitty corner to the hotel, and the RBSC was across the street.
I remember the Rotary Meetings on Thursdays but only attended a few as a business obligation during the early 1990s. I also met Roy Whitehead in the 80s, a colleague within the early days establishment of Okanagan Helicopters (offshore helicopter service initally for Union Oil, then Unocal and, to this day, Chevron Thailand). Company is now known as Thai Aviation Services. He was a gentleman of the highest order and introduced the Erawan Hotel to many of his younger colleagues.
I knew A. Gerson and Roy Whitehead well in those heady days. We spent many happy times together when I was a pilot for Swissair, based in Bangkok for a time, and on many monthly layovers at the Erawan over the years. Those were unforgettable times at an extraordinary hotel. Along with the Oriental there in Bangkok, and the Peninsula in Hongkong, among the very best hotels in the world. It was another era.
Did you know my grandmother Connie Mangskau who owned Monogram Shop (The antique store in the Arcade)?
I met her once or twice when my parents were with Jim Thompson.
I stayed at the Erawan in 1974. It was a lovely place, very gentile. I am sorry to hear that it has been knocked down and replaced and now the shrine has been bombed. Very sad.
Thanks for your interesting post. I found it after hearing of the terrible explosion at the Erawan Shrine last night. Such a horrifying and despicable act. Your images brought back lots of memories of staying at the old hotel as a teenager in beautiful and peaceful Bangkok in 1962 and 1963. Hard to imagine the dreadful scene there today. The contrast is overwhelming.
I had the pleasure to live at the old Erawan Hotel from Sept. 1961 to November 1961. It was such a charming place, and the staff were all so friendly and accommodating. At that time, they were working on filling in the Klongs in the front of the hotel. I remember the shrine. I knew the old hotel had been replaced. Bangkok at that time was a wonderful city and I always felt very safe there as a single woman in her 20’s. I am sad about the bombing of the shrine and the troubles in Thailand these days. At least those of us who visited Bangkok in the 60’s have our wonderful memories of the city.
When I heard the tragic news about yesterday’s bomb in Bangkok and that it had taken place near the Erawan shrine, memories of the Erawan Hotel came flooding back to me. I stayed there many times while growing up in the 1970s and 80s as a US foreign service brat. It was my favorite hotel in all the world. From the fruit baskets brought to newly arrived guests, filled with rambutans, mangosteens, mangos, bananas, to the delightful pool (where I spend endless hours), to the warm, kind staff who were so patient with a rambunctious child left to her own devices. I remember the shrine, and surrounding market. THANK YOU for this page. Most of the images are a bit before my time there but seeing the three elephant logo was like seeing a dear old friend. My heart goes out to all the people of Bangkok, and all those who made the Erawan such a welcoming refuge from all the nearby lands that were torn by violence while it stood there at the Rajaprasong intersection. May a bomb never again be set off in that lovely city, may the peace and joy the Erawan brought so many prevail over all Thailand.
Great memories of one of the great old hotels of Asia. The Erawan was the choice of most UN staff passing through Bangkok. I’m surprised no one has mentioned the baby elephant in the lobby.
I watched “Panic in Bangkok” on YouTube last night (movie from 1964). The old Erawan hotel features prominently. Couldn’t recognise much though. It’s all changed around there!
I lived in Bangkok from Sept. 1957 until August 1959 and attended IBS. My mother also taught there and my father (U.S.Army) was president of the PTA in 1958. In fact our yearbooks were called The Erawan.. I remember the hotel well. It was a major landmark back then. A good friend of my family owned the Princess Hotel downtown. My sister attended the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church school. Wow, what great memories
My sister and I lived in Bangkok 1958-1959. Our father was US Army with JUSMAG. And our mother worked in the office of the school (IBS). I remember the Erawan Hotel well as we drove past it daily to get to school. And I have an autographed picture of John Wayne when he stayed there! I returned for a very short visit (on a cruise) in 2010 and saw the replacement hotel and shrine. So hard to recognize anything. I wanted to locate the old ISB but wasn’t able. My memory of that year is spending huge amounts of time at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club swimming pool, riding wooden busses (that often went into the klongs – 99 dead!), and days at the school itself. I was in the 7th grade and my sister was a high school junior. We left so she could graduate back in Falls Church, VA. I was saddened by that as I loved the place. Oh so many memories.
I moved to Bangkok in August 1958 and my parents and I lived at the Erawan for several weeks while we looked for a house to rent. I was very impressed with the Erawan, the food, service and beautiful people. My dad was with Jusmag, and we found a house to rent on Soi Klong in Bangkapi. I was just entering my Senior year in high school and it was a wonderful experience that remains in my memories always, plus all the friends that I knew and loved…many of whom I still maintain relationships with all these years later. One last, and very important memory of the Erawan was that my high school graduation was held there with our honored speaker was Pote Sarasin, and Dr. Tom Dooley attended and celebrated with us!
Anonymous: I’m working on a biography of Dr. Tom Dooley, who stayed often at the Erawan. Could you share your story with me? My email: [email protected]
My family lived in Bangkok 1958-1959. Remember the Erawan well as we passed it daily on the way to school (ISB). My father was US Army with JUSMAG and my mother worked in the office at the school. I was 7th grade and my sister was a high school junior. Those were some small classes! I have those yearbooks too! I even have an autographed picture of John Wayne when he stayed at the Erawan. I had two days in Bangkok in 2010 and couldn’t recognize a thing except the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. We spent many hours in their swimming pool. Great memories,
We lived in Bangkok from 1969-1972. Went to ISB, class of 1980, for 2nd-4th grades. I remember Miss Yost and Mrs. Chance. Don’t remember the hotel that well, but always entertained by the story that when we were there, my infant sister chewed a hole in the curtains. I guess her crib was too close to the windows! I still have stir sticks with the elephant head on them. Much like the Hongkong Hilton (our next residence after Bangkok), the hotel is gone, a sign of “progress.” I’m not sure they make them like this any longer.
Our 1966 World Tour
My dear mother sponsored an Around-the-World trip aboard a Pan-Am jet with myself (college art student) and my brother (architect/student) in 1966. From start to finish, we visited all the major art and architecture sites possible in 6 weeks beginning in Italy (Rome) and continuing to Greece (Athens), Lebanon (Beirut), Egypt (Cairo), India (Bombay, Chandighar and Calcutta), followed by Thailand (Bangkok), China (Hong Kong) and ending in Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and Nara) before returning home to San Francisco.
There are many things to recall in our lifetime aboard this planet that we will never forget and for me it was the strawberries and cream with our breakfast on the hotel deck above the eastern shore of the glistening Mediterranean Sea in the beautiful city of Beirut, Lebanon (the like of which will ever be seen) and, above all, the incredible taste of the crepé Suzettes we all enjoyed at the Erawan Hotel in Bangkok.
I lived in Bangkok as a ranking diplomat son who attended ISB from 1956-1963. Our resident was within easy walking distance to the Original Erawan hotel. One of my foundest memories of childhood was having lunch with my father and family at the Erawan restaurant In the early 1960’s. My daughter will be visiting Bangkok this Christmas, and want to retrace my childhood memories of Bangkok. I (a retired executive, and credit ISB for giving me the international perspectives throughout my life) was doing research on Erawan hotel and by chance found this site. Bangkok in the 1950 and 1960’s was a beatuful and dreamlike place. I remember it was within walking distance to Chulalongkorn university, and a short bike ride from our residence to ISB campus. It was the second site, prior to the current campus, which I never visited. The original ISB was close to the US Embassy, I seem to recall.
Hello to the old Erawan Staff, who were always professional and knew my father, and always greeting us warmly and with respect. Hello to old ISB schoolmates. That era will never exist again, and I miss it very much. This site bring back fondest memories of bygone family, friends, and Erawan. It also left me with a sense of sadness, as that gentile era (if it ever existed beyond the mind of a young, privileged boy) that is probably gone forever. Sawadee. William Ting, Ph.D.
I was so interested to read your message which I found when looking up the old Erawan tonight. I went to ISB from 1958-1964, beginning my life in Thailand in an embassy family with a several month stay at the Erawan Hotel
I stayed with my parents at the old Erawan Hotel in 1958 for a couple of weeks. My father was starting work at Thammasat University, teaching social welfare administration, as a part of USOM, now AID. Our apartment in a buiding directly behind the hotel, on Ploenchit Court, was unfinished, so the US government put us up in style! I remember the vanilla milkshakes by the pool, and the soup in the Swiss-run restaurant–delicious! I also attended ISB, which was in the renovated Japanese officers club building in those days. Music class was held in a sort of gazebo by a klong.
next door to our apartment building was a small neighborhood brothel, and from our windows I could see into the courtyard where the women bathed themselves and their children. I never recall seeing men coming or going from Ploenchit Ct., but now I think there must have been an alley entrance–from the hotel straight into the brothel’s back door. How very civilized.
I went to ISB in 1958-59 and never new the building was a renovated Japanese Officers Club. Thanks for that info. I do remember the gazebo and klong,
I spend many years of my youth in and out of the Erawan Hotel and my grandmother’s shop Monogram in the arcade. Please take a look at a website dedicated to her and reach out to me if you remember her! I loved having lunch with my grandmother in the Tea Room or in Le Chalet. Life was good and food tasted so much better back then!
First went to Bangkok early 60s when I was 5 or 6. Then again a few years later. Erawan hotel both times second time for a few months. Can relate to all the other comments made by those who may even have been there at the same time I was. Also went to ISB 65-69. The Swiss chef was Robert Schulz and my favourite waiter was Po, who went to the USA. Would love to go back to Bangkok, but with no Erawan, the journey may destroy memories of a truly idyllic childhood.
Born in the mid 70ies, I seem to be a bit younger than most contributors here, however, my memories of the Erawan hotel are exactly the same: great, friendly, sweet, loving staff, a beautiful pool site where my brothers and I could, for the first time in our lives, have a swim in the evening with pool lights on. Truly exciting! The spring board that finally made me overcome my fear of jumping because I wanted to impress a cute American girl who attended ISB, the lizzards, the bakery nearby (“ten croissants, please” – no clue what they answered, being Swiss and only able to deposit the order), the chicken satay that’s till unbeaten…– I stayed at the Erawan in 1982 as an eight year-old boy. My father used to work for Swissair and was able to take the entire family along for a month or so while they flew rotations to neighbouring countries. I will never forget this, and I was truly sorry (still am) when I heard the Erawan had to cede in favour of an out-of-the-mould standard type hotel.
I lived in Bangkok from Jan.’62 to July, ’67. Stayed at the Erawan for a few weeks until we found a house on Soi 15. I took my 4 small children to the pool and happily accepted the help of Erawan staff in keeping track of them. My oldest son went to ISB and my second son went to Mrs. Clayton’s school. Later they went to Holy Redeemer School. My youngest son and daughter were born at the Bangkok Nursing Home. That son, Paul, is married to a Thai woman and lives in Udon.
What great memories.
I am visiting Bangkok next week with my husband and I wondered if Mrs Claytons school was still there, probably not. I lived there 1968-1972 and was in that school during the Royal visit. Just wondered if anyone remembers the school and if they went there the same time as me. My name is Jackie and my surname then was Jones
Hello Jackie, Yes! I remember Mrs Clayton’s School very well. My son, Simon went there from 1968 to 1971. He was recently looking for an old black and white photo we had of some of the children, which was taken in the garden. I am sure it is stored somewhere. I can’t find anything about Mrs Clayton’s online, only Bangkok Pattana, the International school and Holy Redeemer. Mrs Clayton was eccentric and so was the school. You must have been there at the same time. I’m sure he would love to share memories. Please do contact me if you read this and I’ll send you his contact details
I lived in Bangkok from 1966 to 1970 and taught the senior class at Mrs Clayton’s school taking time off to have my eldest daughter born at the Bangkok Nursing Home in 1968. This was one of my first teaching jobs and I will never forget Jean Clayton or her school. I’d love to see any photos of the school that still exist.
I lived in Bangkok 1961 – 1963. My Father was with the Australian Army and was instructing at the Thai Army Workshops.
I attended Holy Redeemer school and my Mothervworked firstly at the Australian Embassy and then at SEATO.
We used to spend our holidays in thatched cottages right on Pattaya Beach. It was beautiful, I have never returned as I remember it as it was and don’t hink I would like to see the changes.
My Grandmother was with our family and she and I always went to the Erawan Hotel for a hot chocolate. Just near the hotel was a Jeweller’s owned by a lady named Sharat, She became a great friend of our family.
I wonder if the U.S. govt. stopped putting up people in the Erawan by the mid to late 60’s. My family stayed in a suite there for about 4 months in 1961. We made wonderful friends including a Mr. Avi, a Swiss Air pilot who stopped at the Erawan between flights. My sister and I (8 and 10 years respectively) chased after Frank Sinatra who was performing and staying at the hotel. Poor man…
I went to ISB and, though not in Thailand the whole time, graduated there in1969.
I first arrived in Bangkok in December 1962. Then often referred to as the “Venice of the East”. It was truly almost like living in heaven.
I first lived on Soi Lang Suan, just around the corner from the Erawan; and almost every Sunday morning took the short walk to the Erawan to have an early breakfast on the terrace by the pool, read the Bangkok World; and then take the short walk across the street to the Royal Bangkok Sport Club (RBSC) for a round of golf – where no so incindentally I still play.
I still remember the great food at La Cave, and the roving Filipino singing group that would go table to table serenading the diners. The ful Swiss menu had beef fondue through chocolate fondo, but my favorite on the menu was the butter and garlic covered escargot to start a meal.
Now 56 years later am retired here in Bangkok; and although it has changed drastically over the years, and not much for the good, it is still where to be.
Hi. My dad was a U.S. Foreign Service officer, and he was posted to Bangkok in 1972-1973. He worked at the American Embassy as a personnel officer. We lived in the Erawan Hotel for a few weeks before finding a house to rent on Soi 31. My sister and I (I was 13 and she was 11) loved the pool, and we ordered corn flakes, croissants, and orange juice for breakfast and threw crumbs to the sparrows. There was another hotel nearby that had a baby elephant on display. We both attended ISB at the Bangsue campus. We worshiped at Watana International Church. The restaurants in the hotel, especially La Cave, were amazing. We were very lucky.
Hallo! Oh, wie schön all das über die Besuche im alten Erawanhotel zu lesen. Mein Vater war oft dort in seiner Eigenschaft als Kaufmann zwischen den Welten Europa und Asien. Er war bei Coutinho, Caro und Co. Ich war einmal mit ihm nach meinem Schulabschluss 3 Wochen Fernost! Herrlich war das! Alles begann 1972 in Bangkok im Erawan. Wie ein Märchen, schön das Frühstück mit einer Reifen großen Papaya. Dann durch die Stadt gebummelt, das war wirklich noch möglich! Als 16 jährige! Dann an den Pool, der ebenfalls so romantisch war! Habe dort viel auf meinen Vater gewartet!! Werde ich nie vergessen, – all die Orchideen auf dem Zimmer! Es war eine schöne und aufregende Zeit, gut dass es sie gab!
I lived in Bangkok with my parents from 1959 -1961. My father was the medical Doctor at JUSMAG. I attended
ISB as a freshman and sophmore in highschool. Our apt. building , Chanit Court was walking distance to the beautiful
Erawan Hotel. My family spent time there, enjoying the shops in the Arcade , lounging around the pool and meals in the
restaurants. Our last 10 days in Bangkok before returning to the US were spent living at the Erawan. What a thrill.
So many similar and familiar stories here. Same time, same place, same story. 1960s. Dad employed by one government agency or another, take your pick. 2 to 4 months in an Erawan suite with family while waiting for a suitable house or apartment (no one mentioned another year waiting for a telephone line!!). Same restaurant nearly every night, and in my case, the same meal—the heavenly filet mignon with sauce Bernaise—accompanied by the 3 piece bass, piano, and violin musical ensemble with the violinist just a hair too good to have been relegated to this gig. The sublime joy of seeing the odd tourist’s shock at noticing the chin-chuck dropping from the ceiling fan into their salad. And yes, we all went to ISB; class of 67 for me. I wouldn’t trade those days for anything.