Advertisement
The mythological figures that guard Thai temples and palaces, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and their roots in Hinduism
- From Bangkok’s Grand Palace to Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep, colourful statues and murals of Yaksha remain watchful for otherworldly enemies
- These spirits, originating in Hindu mythology, have become part of Thai lore. Worry not if you miss them while sightseeing; they may be waiting at the airport
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
As visitors enter Bangkok’s Grand Palace, they pass supernatural security guards.
Advertisement
Standing inside the main entrance of the royal complex in the Thai capital are two towering statues, each with sharp fangs protruding from their mouths and clubs in their grip.
They not only embody the colourful excess which makes the site so photogenic, but also depict a key figure from Thai mythology, the Yaksha, whose role is to protect palaces, temples and other sacred sites.
While human threats are the responsibility of the white-helmeted, rifle-toting King’s Guard soldiers who march through the palace, the Yaksha here and at other sites in Thailand monitor otherworldly enemies, ready to tackle any demons that try to lay siege or lay curses on them.
Yaksha are depicted in both statue and mural form throughout the Grand Palace, a complex of ceremonial halls and temples built in the late 1700s as the first official royal Bangkok residence.
Advertisement