In 1782 King Rama I was crowned as the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty. To commemorate this occasion he moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok and conducted a ceremony to raise the traditional City pillar on Sunday, April 21, 1782.


Lak Meuang is the pillar built by the King in 1782 when Bangkok became the capital city of Siam. This exquisite pillar houses the spirit of the city and there are stream of devotees who offer their prayers. This famous shrine is built around the stone which marks the city's foundation. This is considered to be the starting point from which all distances are measured.


It is believed among the natives that the guardian spirit or the real 'masters' of Bangkok dwell here and protect the city and its people. Throughout the day people throng the holy place with flowers and joss sticks. People gather around the glided lingam, the phallic symbol in the middle of the shrine hoping to be granted good fortune in their various earthly wishes and hopes. The people buy cage birds and release and free them trying to please the guardian spirits and attain Nirvana.


The city pillar boasts laburnum wood and is beautifully adorned with heartwood.


The top of the pillar is decorated in shellac and gold leaf and has a pointed tip. Inside is the birth certificate of the city.


Inside the shrine are the three original gods: Phra Seua Muang, Phra Song Muang and Phra Lak Muang. Phra Siam Devathiraj is places as another god protecting the city.


Travour.com offers information about Lak Meuang, Bangkok and other tourist attractions all around the World