Kamphaeng Phet Lak Mueang—Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand.
Posted by: Ianatlarge
N 16° 29.394 E 099° 30.984
47Q E 555114 N 1823197
The City Pillar Shrine for the city and province of Kamphaeng Phet, in central Thailand.
Waymark Code: WMDJJJ
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 01/21/2012
Views: 1
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 the city and province of Kamphaeng Phet is found in the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, to the immediate north of the city (it can be reached on foot). In style it follows the Thai design, a small building, with a pillar inside. I visited during the Chinese New Year celebrations, there were people present and evidence of a larger event to come.
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.
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