- Love Thailand
- Posts
- Guardians of the Gateway
Guardians of the Gateway
Meet the 12 mythical giants protecting Bangkok's airport and their epic stories.

Meet the 12 Mythical Giants of Suvarnabhumi Airport
If you've passed through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, you've likely encountered the towering, fierce-faced statues guarding its halls. These are Yakshas – ancient protectors from Thai Buddhist and Hindu mythology, standing as symbolic sentinels between the physical and spiritual worlds. More than just striking art, these 12 giants embody Thailand's rich cultural tapestry, each with a legendary backstory straight from the Ramakian (Thailand's version of the Ramayana).
What Are Yakshas?
In Thai culture, Yakshas are mythical beings that serve as divine protectors of sacred spaces. Originating from Hindu-Buddhist traditions, they're depicted as formidable giants with exaggerated features – bulging eyes, sharp fangs, and vibrant skin colors – designed to ward off evil spirits. You'll find them flanking temples, palaces, and now, modern gateways like Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they continue their eternal vigil.
Beyond their fearsome appearance, Yakshas represent moral lessons. Many are reformed demons or reincarnated beings, reflecting Buddhism's themes of redemption. Thai children learn these stories early – just as Western kids learn "A is for Apple," Thai youngsters learn "Y is for Yak" (ย ยักษ์). These guardians blur the line between monster and deity, reminding us that even the fiercest exteriors can hide noble purposes.

The 12 Guardian Giants of Suvarnabhumi
Tosakanth
Tosakanth is the famous giant ruler of Lanka, known for having 10 faces, 20 hands, and a green or golden face depending on his status. His faces are arranged in three rows, with four small faces in the second row and unique Brahma and giant faces in the third. Every face smiles widely, with big open eyes, and he always wears a Yod Chai crown. His main consort is Naang Montho, and his second is Naang Kal-akee. He is the father of Naang Sida and went to war with Phra Rama, not knowing she was his daughter. | ![]() |
Sahassadeja
Sahassadeja is a giant chief with a white body and a face that is broadly smiling with wide eyes. He has four to five rows of faces and wears a Yod Chai crown. His younger brother, Phya Moonphlam, is a viceroy and close friend of Tosakanth. Sahassadeja is known for having 1,000 faces and 2,000 hands, making his appearance very impressive. His main weapon is a tan club, and he rules the city of Pangtan. | ![]() |
Askan-mara
Askan-mara is a chief giant with seven purple faces and two hands. He is sometimes called Askan-marasoon and wears a special headdress. Phra Isuan (Shiva) blessed him so that whenever a part of his body is cut off, it grows into a new body. This makes him very hard to defeat in battle. Askan-mara is known for his magical ability and unique purple appearance. | ![]() |
Cakravarti
Cakravarti is a giant with four white faces, eight hands, and wears a Cock tail crown. His faces are arranged in two ranks, and his main white face smiles broadly with sharp fangs. He is a friend of Tosakanth and rules the city of Maliwan, which is protected by a ring of fire and an acid moat. Cakravarti is very powerful with strong magic skills. After Tosakanth’s death, he leads an army to retake Lanka and installs Tosakanth’s son as king. | ![]() |
Indrajit
Indrajit, the son of Tosakanth and Naang Montho, has a vermilion face with wide-open eyes and downward-facing fangs. He is unique because he has both human and giant sideburns and wears a special headdress. Indrajit's original name was Ronaphak Kumarn, and he became famous after defeating Phra Indra, earning his new name. He has a green body and is known for his amazing magical powers and sacred weapons. Indrajit is equipped with arrows from the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. | ![]() |
Mangkornkan
Mangkornkan is a green-faced giant with a grounded mouth, crocodile-like eyes, and a Yod Naga headdress. He holds a club in his left hand and was once an ungrateful buffalo, Thoraphee, in a past life. Because of past misdeeds, he is cursed to be killed by Phra Rama's arrow. He is the son of Phya Khon, ruler of Romkhal city, and is a friend of Tosakanth. Mangkornkan reflects the idea of karma and rebirth. | ![]() |
Maiyarab
Maiyarab rules the underground world and has just one face with a pale purple body and crocodile eyes. His mouth is grounded, and he wears either a Kranok Crown or a Cock tail Crown. Maiyarab’s right hand always holds herbs or medicines, which he uses as weapons. He is the stepfather to Machanu, who is Hanuman and Suphanmacha’s son. Maiyarab kidnapped Phra Rama with magic and trapped him in an iron cage below ground. | ![]() |
Suriyaphob
Suriyaphob is a vermilion-faced giant with a broad mouth, wide-open eyes, and downward-facing fangs. He has both human and giant sideburns. He is the son of Thao Cakravarti, ruler of Maliwan, and a friend of Tosakanth. His main weapon is the Mekhaphat spear, given to him by Phra Isuan (Shiva). This spear is very powerful and magical in battle. | ![]() |
Tosagiriwan
Tosagiriwan has a green face, crocodile eyes, and a trunk at the end of his nose, showing his part-elephant heritage. His mouth is grounded, and he carries a club as a weapon. He is one of Tosakanth’s sons, born from a female elephant, and is twin brother to Tosagirithorn. Tosagiriwan owns a magical bow and arrows that can separate into nine types of weapons. He is known for his unique combination of giant and elephant features. | ![]() |
Tosagirithorn
Tosagirithorn has a scarlet-colored body, a single face, two hands, and a trunk-like nose. He has crocodile eyes, a grounded mouth, and wears a bamboo spathe around his waist. Tosagirithorn is twin brother to Tosagiriwan but was raised by Thao Askan-mara, the ruler of Duram city, as an adopted son. Like his brother, he wields a magical bow and arrows that can change into different weapons. He stands out for his red coloring and elephant-like nose. | ![]() |
Virun Chambang
Virun Chambang has an inky-black face, grounded mouth, and crocodile eyes. He wears a Cock tail crown and has just two hands. As the son of Phya Toos (ruler of Charuek city) and nephew of Tosakanth, he is part of a powerful family. Virun Chambang is clever and once disguised himself as a tiny water insect to hide. He is known for his sneaky tricks and dark appearance. | ![]() |
Virulhok
Virulhok has a single face that is dark blue, green, or sometimes a strong purple, with eyes like a crocodile and an unfriendly smile. He wears a Yod Naga headdress and decorative Naga accessories that make him look fierce. Virulhok is the ruler of Maha anthakarn, the underground world. He once made Mount Krailat sink after he got angry over a gecko’s cries during his visit to Phra Isuan. His actions caused a major commotion in the mythical world. | ![]() |
DID YOU KNOW?
You can get your Thai eSim card before you arrive…
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices. You can grab your esim on the go before you arrive to Thailand to save expensive mistakes upon your arrival.
These mighty beings are more than just characters from Thai mythology—they embody timeless lessons about power, morality, and destiny. From Tosakanth’s tragic pride to Virulhok’s uncontrolled rage, each giant reflects human flaws and divine justice. Their stories, passed down through generations in the Ramakian, continue to captivate with themes of loyalty, redemption, and cosmic balance.
As guardians of Thailand’s cultural imagination, they remind us that even the mightiest must face consequences. Whether carved onto temple walls or performed in khon dance dramas, their legends endure as vibrant symbols of Thailand’s rich storytelling heritage.