A file photo of the Brahma statue, which was destroyed yesterday.

The smashing of a revered Brahma statue in central Bangkok yesterday infuriated two believers so much that they killed the mentally ill man believed to be responsible for the crime.

 For almost 50 years, the Brahma statue of "Tao Mahaprom" had drawn devotees to the Erawan Shrine. It had become a major tourist attraction with worshippers arriving from across the country as well as from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Singapore and Malaysia.

The statue and Erawan Shrine were built in 1956, shortly before the Erawan Hotel was completed, on the advice of an astrologer who said the hotel's foundation stone had not been placed at an auspicious time.

He suggested that the hotel's owners build a Bhrama image, a shrine and a spirit house in the area in order to compensate for the hotel's inauspicious beginning.

Three technicians at the Fine Arts Department's handicrafts division designed the statue and shrine.

The statue was designed and moulded by Jitr Pimkowit while Juerawee Chomsewee and ML Poom Malakoon designed the shrine.

The statue and shrine were installed at the site on November 1956 and have never been moved from the site. The hotel celebrates the statue on November 9 every year.

Brahma is considered by Hindus to be the creator of all things and the thousands of people who visited the shrine every day believed that by worshipping the statue their prayers would be answered.

The shrine was constantly filled with colourful garlands, lotuses, incense, candles and teak elephants left by devotees.

When their prayers were answered many returned to thank Tao Mahaprom by hiring Thai classical dancers to perform at the shrine. As the number of devotees and tourists to the shrine rose every year, businesses in the vicinity expanded and prospered.

In 1988, the hotel's board set up the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation of the Erawan Hotel to handle the businesses and oversee the money donated at the shrine.

Although the hotel was taken over and the name changed to Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, the statue and shrine were unaffected by the change.

The shrine has been an integral part of Rachaprasong intersection for decades. "Although the image was destroyed, I still feel Tao Mahaprom is around here," said Udomwit Yongjaiyudh, a member of the foundation since 1965.

Udomwit retired 10 years ago, but he still visits the shrine every day to help clean the statue.

Four troupes of Thai classical dancers have been performing before the statue for several decades.

"Nothing needs to be changed if the Bhrama is still here with us, and I believe [the Brahma] has not gone away but is still here everywhere," Udomwit said.

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

The Nation

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Your say:

Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Thai trade representative.

Whenever I was in trouble or was trying to achieve something, I would ask Phra Phrom for help.

Chamchan Chermprapai, president Chamchan Health and Beauty.

Whenever I have asked Phra Phrom for anything, I have got that wish, although I realise one must always be responsible and work hard to be successful.

Chaiyos Eiamamornpan, president of Frank's Jewellery Creations.

"I am very upset and angry about the Phra Phrom statue being destroyed.

Acharavadee Wongsakon, owner of St Tropez Diamond.

"Even though there is no statue there anymore I still want to go and pay my respects because I have my faith and the sacredness of Phra Phrom will always be there.

Sombatsara Teerasaroch, president of Tue Co.

I feel lost and scared. My thought was that something bad might happen.