Si Sunthon Subdistrict Lak Mueang—Phuket, Thailand.
Posted by: Ianatlarge
N 07° 58.746 E 098° 22.140
47N E 430459 N 882040
One of several sub-district Lak Mueang in the Thai province of Phuket.
Waymark Code: WMAVZB
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 03/01/2011
Views: 4
A Lak Mueang or 'City Pillar Shrine' is a public shrine, usually in the shape of a pillar, which represents the tutelary diety of each province of Thailand. These are important religious, social, and political sites, which are held in high regard by the local inhabitants. Most Thai provinces have an official Shrine, and some districts within a province have their own, smaller shrine.
Phuket province is unusual in that it does not possess a single, large Lak Mueang in the capital city. Rather there are five small shrines scattered across the island. My enquiries have led me to understand that the reason for this arrangement is the history and geography of the island. Phuket has no central, major city, as do most Thai provinces, rather there are a number of towns and communities across the island, also the political capital has changed several times. Thus over the years different groups have erected their owns shrines, or not. It should be noted that the provincial capital, Phuket City, in the south east region of the island, possesses not even one of the smaller shrines.
This shrine follows the usual design of a Lak Mueang, a pillar housed inside a protective covering, with Buddhist religious accoutrements for visitors to make use of. However, this shrine resembles the smaller district level Lak Mueang of the Isarn region of Thailand. There is a sign adjacent to the shrine which states that the shrine was refurbished in 2004 AD, at a cost of 198,600 baht (~us$7,000).
This shrine is situated on a major highway, leading into Phuket town, and is listed on google maps, thus it is easily found. It is also close to the famous statues of the 'Two Heroines', whose leadership saved Phuket from a Burmese invasion two centuries ago, and it is close also to the Phuket Province Museum.
Open to visitors?: Yes
Photography Permitted Inside?: Yes
Statue of the Buddha present?: No
Related Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:Include in your log one or two complete sentences. Logs containing a few words like "visited it" are subject to deletion.
Photos of the shrine are strongly encouraged when permitted otherwise please refrain from taking pictures inside and in any case, generally have respect for the religious nature of the site.