Vendors at Bangkok shrine condemned for overcharging Chinese tourists

Thai netizens condemned vendors selling religious offerings to foreign tourists at extortionate prices outside the famous Erawan Shrine in Bangkok after a video went viral on social media of a vendor charging Chinese tourists over 10,000 baht for an offering set.

Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular religious sites in the capital city. Formally known as the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine, the shrine houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The name might also refer to Mahabrahma, the ruler of the Brahma realm in Asian mythology. It is located in Bangkok city centre at Ratchaprasong Intersection, near the CentralWorld shopping mall.

Tourists, particularly Chinese, visit the shrine to pray and make wishes, then return to make offerings after their desires are fulfilled.

Offerings for Brahma, including flowers, elephant statues, food,…