City Pillar Shrine - Lak Muang, Bangkok

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Lak Mueang is the city pillar . Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house the city spirit deity, Chao Pho Lak Meuang it is held in high esteem by the citizen of the town.
These are the abode of Phra Lak Muang the guardien spirit of Bangkok.

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A short walk from the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew you’ll find this pretty little shrine to the City Pillar of Bangkok.

Located just adjacent to the grounds of the Ministry of Defense you’ll see many smartly dressed members of Thailand’s military members about. As this is a Holly place you’ll for sure see plenty of people worshiping either at the main shrine where the pillars are kept or at a small temple just off to the side where the “Guardian Spirits” of the Shrine are revered

As per an ancient tradition of the peoples that predated Siam and modern day Thailand, a city pillar was constructed before construction of any newly settled area could begin.

King Rama 1, the founding monarch of the Chakri Dynasty directed the installation of this City Pillar on the 21st of April in 1782.

The Shrine is not overly large and is accessed by wide open doors at two opposite ends of the structure, its three gabled roof, surrounds a central prang. At the center of the shrine stands the original pillar dedicated by King Rama 1 and just to the side of the original, a second pillar a little more ornate, which was laid by King Rama 4 in about 1852, the same time the Shrine was renovated for the first time.

The City Pillar Shrine was registered as a National Historic Place In 1975 and in 1986 the Shrine was again renovated and is the latest incarnation that you will see today. It’s a beautiful place that is less busy than the more commonly visited Temples and a visit here was a refreshing break from the crowds.

Access is from 0700- 1800 and it is FREE to enter

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A Lak Mueang or City pillar is found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house the city spirit deity, Chao Pho Lak Meuang, it is held in high esteem by the citizens of the town. It was probably King Rama I, who erected the first city pillar on April 21, 1782, when he moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. This shrine can be found across the road from the Grand Palace and features two pillars - the longer pillar is the original of Rama I, the shorter was added by King Mongkut (Rama IV).

This Shrine is only a short walk from the Grand Palace and is worth the visit. It was built in 1782, during the reign of King Rama 1, and was the 1st building built in the Capital City, being built just ahead of the Grand Palace. There are actually two pillars in the Shrine, one with the old Birth Certificate, and one with the new Birth Certificate. The Shrine Building was rebuilt in 1982, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bangkok City. Thai people believe that visiting here will bring Good Luck and rid them of the Bad Luck. It is a busy site, and Admission is FREE. It is open from 5.30 - 7.30pm

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There's two city pillars in the Lak Muang Shrine. Four if you count the ones outdoors. (Obviously Thailand being ahead of the times deciding to make a back up.) You are asking "What is a City Pillar?" And yes, it is a pillar. But a very old pillar, and not the sort of pillar that I was expecting, an old tree trunk sort of pillar, a very ancient and used pillar in some archeaologist dug up building. Nope; original Thai city pillars were the width of two fists of the important King who set up that particular city. The ones in Bangkok, however, are big and chunky and made of heartwood and must be more than two fists / wrists easy. Essentially, they are blessed columns of wood. Very, very, blessed. And golden.

Of course, they've put a temple / shrine buildings around them now and a superb decorated roof / pavillion. You can touch a replica pillar outside and get your dose of good luck, as so many of the Thais enjoyed doing. I think the coloured ribbons (each signifying a day) are the domain of monks to change.

So think about that when you've got you hands on the mini replicas. Way back in 1782, King Rama I, after he moved to Bangkok from over the river at Thonburi, would have had his hands on the small ones too; on the morning of Sunday, April 21, 1782 at just after 6:45am. Because that was the time the dedication ceremony took place. And in twenty seven years time that will be 250 years ago. Woohoo. (A great excuse to return if you need one.)

And all the distances on road maps to and from Bangkok are calculated from this very sacred spot. (So if you ever see a sign post with a distance to BKK on it, you will know exactly where the other end of the tape measure was held tight. They must do the measuring at night as I've never seen them do it in the daytime.)

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Thai believed that the city pillar symbolizes the establishment of a new community. The city pillar of Bangkok was first erected in 1782. After that in the reign of King Rama IV was erected a new one.So you can see 2pillars in this shrine.

for "get rid of bad luck, gain more good luck"

In the ancient time, when the King established Bangkok as the capital city, a city pillar was placed in the heart of the city. The pillar contains the city horoscope and enshrines the guardian angle.

My friend recommended to try "Seumsi" (shake the bamboo cylinder contained fortune sticks).....your fortune will reveal here!!!

The City Pillar Shrine (Lak Muang) is just at the north-east corner of the Grand Palace, and while it may not look like that much as you approach from the outside, it's definitely worth a visit.

There's a lot more to see once you get through the gate - as well as the lovely shrine itself (pictured) which actually contains 2 wooden pillars, the surrounding garden is beautifully manicured. You'll get some nice glimpses of the Grand Palace, and the place has a steady stream of people making offerings. You might also see some Thai dancing - some of the worshippers pay for classical Thai dances to be performed here.

There's a good page on this shrine at the excellent Thailand Guidebook website.

It's open daily from 5.30am (before sunrise!) until 7.30pm. There's no entry fee, but donations are of course welcome.