Besides Buddhist temples, you can find a number of small or large spirit houses and shrines to Hindu Gods and animist Gods in Bangkok. One of the less visited shrines is located on the grounds of the Nai Lert Bangkok Hotel (also known as Swissotel) on Wireless Road (Witthayu Road). It’s quite hard to find, but it’s definitely worth of visit.
The origins of Chao Mea Tuptim (Goddess Tuptim Shrine) are obscure. It can only be recalled that a spirit house was built by NaiLert for the Spirit who was believed to reside in the large Sai (Ficus) tree. The basic offerings are fragrant wreaths of snow - white jasmine flowers, incense sticks, pink and white lotus buds. Chao Mae Tuptim has received yet another, rather less conventional kind of gift, phallic in shape, small and large, stylized and highly realistic. Over the years they have been brought by thousands, and today fill the area around the shrine. Confronted by the extraordinary display the shrine has automatically been concluded to be dedicated to fertility.
To reach the shrine of Phra Mae Tuptim, use the main entrance of the Nai Lert Hotel. Use walkway to enter a service area at the back of the hotel. After about 100 meters you will have the shrine to your right. It is located adjacent to Klong Saen Saeb.
