Erawan cave is also known as Tham Chang, or Elephant Cave, as the outcrop is said to resemble a kneeling elephant and the entrance to resemble the fore-head of an elephant. Erawan is also the name of a mythical three headed elephant (Airavata) from Thai mythology. There is an impressive statute depicting this elephant at the entrance to the site as the stairs are approached.
Like many places of natural phenomenal in Thailand, the site has taken on a religious significance to the Thai people. At the base of the outcrop, before the stairs and the elephant statue, is a Wat and immediately at the entrance to the cave is a large statue of Buddha. Throughout the cave there are also many further images of Buddha. In this respect it is necessary to treat a visit to the cave with the same respect that is shown when visiting a Wat.