Korat Lak Mueang—Korat, 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.

The shrine for the province of Korat (non-abbreviated: Nakhon Ratchasima) is located near the centre of the city, and is an impressive sight. The shrine itself is of a small size, and in the Thai style, however, there is a wall on one side of the shrine, and this wall is covered with fired clay tiles depicting in bas relief scenes from the life of Thai Suranari (a famous heroine of the city and province, and a popular icon). It is an impressive sight.

I have read that the original shrine was erected in the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688). This would make the shrine one of the oldest in Thailand, certainly predating the Bangkok shrine. There is a much smaller pillar housed in the Korat museum, possibly this was an earlier pillar?

Note: my gps spot, as displayed on google maps, puts the shrine at the centre of a street intersection. The shrine is located on the corner to the immediate north east of the intersection.

Open to visitors?: Yes Photography Permitted Inside?: Yes Statue of the Buddha present?: No Related Website: Not listed

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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.

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