Ever wondered why Bangkok airport feels so magical the moment you step in? It’s not just the sparkle of duty-free stores — it’s mythology in action! Right in the middle of the airport, you’ll find something truly fascinating — a giant, colorful statue scene with gods, demons, and a snake in the middle of a cosmic tug-of-war.
So, what’s the story? Let’s dive in
Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) Sculpture
The Myth (in a nutshell):
Once upon a time, both gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) wanted to become immortal. To get the magic potion (called Amrit), they had to churn a cosmic ocean — like making butter, but with an ocean!
They used a giant serpent called Vasuki as the rope and wrapped it around Mount Mandara, which became the churning stick. Then, both sides pulled the snake back and forth. It was intense teamwork — even though they were enemies!
Out came treasures, goddesses, and finally, the Amrit, the nectar of immortality.
The Airport Statues:
Right in the middle of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you’ll see this exact scene brought to life in a MASSIVE sculpture. Here’s what to look out for:
🔸 The snake (Vasuki) being pulled on both sides
🔸 Strong demons on one side, with fierce faces and muscles
🔸 Elegant gods on the other, calm and majestic
🔸 Mount Mandara at the center, balanced beautifully
🔸 All of it happening above a sea of blue with mythical details!
It’s not just art — it’s a blessing, a symbol of balance, power, and the never-ending effort to bring good into the world. 🌟
The 12 Yakshas at Bangkok Airport: Thailand’s Mythical Guardians
If you’ve walked around Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, you may have seen some giant statues standing tall, dressed in rich colors and elaborate costumes, looking both fierce and fabulous. These are the Yakshas — Thailand’s ancient mythological guardians!
What Are Yakshas?
In Thai culture (inspired by Hindu and Buddhist traditions), Yakshas (or “Yak” in Thai) are guardian giants. They protect temples, palaces, and sacred places from evil spirits and bad energy. You’ll often see them at entrances of Thai temples — and in this case, they’re guarding the airport itself!
They’re big, colorful, and intimidating, but they’re also respected protectors.
Why Are They at the Airport?
Think of Suvarnabhumi Airport as Thailand’s modern gateway. By placing the Yakshas there, Thailand is saying:
“May your journey be protected. May you carry peace and leave evil behind.”
It’s like receiving a blessing from ancient giants before take-off!
Where Do These 12 Yakshas Come From?
These 12 statues are based on characters from the Ramakien, Thailand’s version of the Indian epic Ramayana. In this epic tale, many Yakshas are warriors, either serving the villainous demon king Tosakanth (Ravana) or standing up for justice.
Each Yaksha at the airport has its own name, look, personality, and background. They are all characters from the battle between good and evil.
The 12 Yakshas — Meet a Few:
Here are some of the key Yakshas you might spot:
1. Tosakanth (Ravana)
– The ten-headed demon king of Lanka.
– Main villain of the Ramakien.
– Dressed in green with a golden crown.
– A symbol of power and ego.
2. Thotsakan’s Allies
There are several Yakshas who are his loyal generals. Some of them are:
Sahatsadecha – A wise general with the head of an elephant.
Maiyarap – Ruler of the underworld, who tried to kidnap Hanuman.
Indrajit (Meghanada) – Ravana’s powerful son, a mighty warrior.
3. Good Yakshas
Not all Yakshas are villains! Some serve the gods or the hero Rama (Phra Ram in Thai).
Wirunhok – A guardian Yak who protects the heavenly city.
Suriyaphop – Guardian of the south, associated with the sun.
Each Yaksha has distinct colors — red, green, blue, white, or black skin, and wears richly detailed traditional Thai armor and a spire-shaped crown.
The Ramayana – The Epic Behind the Yakshas
The Ramayana is one of the greatest ancient stories from India, and it deeply influences Thai culture — especially through its Thai version called the Ramakien. Many of the Yaksha statues at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport are characters from this epic tale. Let’s dive into the story in a fun and simple way!
The Hero: Rama (Phra Ram in Thai)
Prince Rama is a noble and kind-hearted warrior prince. He is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. Rama lives with his wife Sita, his loyal brother Lakshmana, and is loved by all.
But things take a turn…
The Conflict: Sita Is Kidnapped
The ten-headed demon king Ravana (Tosakanth in Thai), who rules the island of Lanka (modern-day Sri Lanka), becomes obsessed with Sita’s beauty and kidnaps her, taking her to his kingdom.
This sets off a huge rescue mission.
The Allies: Hanuman & The Monkey Army
Rama teams up with:
Hanuman, the mighty monkey warrior with superpowers
Sugriva, king of the monkeys
An army of monkeys and bears
Together, they build a bridge to Lanka, fight off magical demons, and try to bring Sita back.
The War: Good vs Evil
This is where the Yakshas come in.
In the Thai Ramakien version:
Tosakanth (Ravana) commands a huge army of Yakshas (giant warriors), many of whom are seen at Bangkok Airport.
Characters like Indrajit (his son), Maiyarap, and Sahatsadecha are his generals.
Rama’s army of monkeys fights the demons in a massive, magical war.
Each Yaksha has unique powers — some can disappear, fly, or grow giant. It’s an epic battle of strategy, strength, and supernatural powers.
The Ending: Good Wins
Rama defeats Ravana with divine help, rescues Sita, and returns home as a hero.
So What’s the Connection to Bangkok Airport?
The 12 giant Yaksha statues at Suvarnabhumi Airport represent key warriors from this epic — mainly from the demon side. In Thai belief, even the powerful demons have their place as protectors, especially when they’re guarding important places like temples or… an international airport!
They symbolize:
Protection
Strength
Respect for ancient culture
So next time you see these towering figures in the airport, know that you’re standing face-to-face with ancient warriors from one of the greatest epics ever told.