Phichit Lak Mueang—Phichit, Thailand. - Buddhist Temples and Public Shrines on Waymarking.com

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. The pillar is housed in a structure, which often reflects the historical background of the province. Each Shrine has great religious, social, and political importance, and 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.

There are several different styles of lak mueang, however, they are normally located close to the centre of their town, usually in or near the governmental precinct. There is a belief that the height of the pillar was the height of the founder of the city, and its diameter a multiple of his fist size. Some shrines contain historical records of the town, region, or the shrine itself.


The shrine for Phichit is somewhat unusual. It lies not inside the modern city, but in the 'ancient' city, ~6kms to the west. This is the original city of Phichit, now partially excavated archaeological ruins, however, the site of the ancient shrine has been refurbished as the modern shrine. I could not find details of this process, in English, though there is a large sign at the entrance to the shrine, in Thai. Having said this, the shrine follows a standard 'Thai' design. A central, golden pillar, inside a white shrine. Also somewhat unusual, beneath the shrine is a statue of the city founder.

Open to visitors?: Yes Photography Permitted Inside?: Yes Statue of the Buddha present?: Yes Related Website: Not listed

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