Bangkok City Pillar Shrine

The Bangkok City Pillar Shrine stands near Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and was constructed in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I the Great, which the King was graciously pleased to have a royal raising ceremony of the City Pillar. It is a pillar of Javanese Cassia wood with a sandalwood exterior and lotus shape at the top. On 21 April 1782, it was appropriately located in the centre of the new city and bestowed the name “Krung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya” known as “Bangkok”. Sathitsathaphon is the mascot of the Thai people. Then, during the reign of King Rama IV the Great, the King graciously established a new city pillar to replace the old one that was damaged over time. It is a pillar with a teak wood interior adorned with Javanese Cassia wood with a top shaped like a crown and created a new horoscope of the city, so to make the nation and all the Thai people under the monarch have more permanent prosperity. Currently, there is the Thepharak Shrine that was built to house the five guardians: Phra Suea Mueang, Phra Song Mueang, Phra Kan Chai Si, Chaopho Chetakhup and Ho Phra Phuttha Rup. Open daily 06.30 – 18.00 hrs. For further details contact, the Office of the City Pillar Shrine Administration Tel. 0 2222 9876 Ext. 116.