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Lak Muang

City Pillar, or lak muang, is a religious pillar that is usually located at or near the center of the city or town square in Thailand. It can be found in most Thai cities, which were populated by the Tai communities (the community from which the name Thai is somewhat derived). The city pillar is regarded as the abode of the guardian spirit of the city.

There could be several types of city pillars. There are city pillars surrounded by four post, a design that can be seen in Yunnan, China. In Lampang, one can find city pillars in group of three, standing 2.5 to 4 meters tall. Then there are city pillars in the from of linga, or phallus symbol, an influence from the Khmers, who were practising Hindus worshipping Shiva. In Nan, the City Pillar has faces carved on it, and is known as Mukhalinga.

Traditionally, the City Pillar is of the same height as the founder of the city. Its diameter is about 5, 7 or 9 times the size of his fist.

Located close to the City Pillar is the ruler's palace, the principal wat of the city, or a reservoir. The main road that passes through the city usually bisects the town, often passing close to the City Pillar.

Associated Sites

  • City Pillar Shrine of Bangkok
  • City Pillar Shrine of Chiang Mai


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    Chiang Rai City Pillar
    author: User:Thithat (public domain)


    Chumphon City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Media lib (cc-by-sa-3.0)


    Kanchanaburi City Pillar
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 26 January 2005


    Mae Sai City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 2 February 2006


    Nakhon Ratchasima City Pillar
    author: User:media lib (GFDL), March 2006


    Nakhon Si Thammarat City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Oatz (public domain), 14 November 2007


    Phitsanulok City Pillar shrine
    author: User:Michael Brueckner (GFDL), 3 October 2005


    Prachap Khiri Khan City Pillar shrine
    author: User:Oatz (public domain), 2 November 2007


    Ratchaburi City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006


    Saraburi City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2008


    Si Satchanalai City Pillar
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006


    Songkhla City Pillar
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), 23 January 2005


    Sukhothai City Pillar
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), January 2006


    Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Oatz (public domain), 2 November 2007


    Tak City Pillar
    author: User:media lib (GFDL), 14 April 2008


    Trang City Pillar Shrine, in Kantang district, the former location of Trang
    author: User:Ahoerstemeier (GFDL), February 2005


    Udon Thani City Pillar
    author: User:Jarcje (GFDL), April 2008


    Yasothon City Pillar Shrine
    author: User:Pawyilee (GFDL), 6 July 2006

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