Chaopho Phraya Lae Shrine

Chaopho Phraya Lae Shrine sits on the rim of Nong Pla Thao pond, about 3 km from Chaiyaphum town, marking the spot where the city’s founder was executed in 1826. Entry is free, and it’s open daily from roughly 08:30 to 16:30 — quiet most of the year, then packed for nine days every January.

Phraya Phakdi Chumphon, known locally as Phraya Lae, led settlers from Vientiane to establish Chaiyaphum in the early 19th century. When Prince Anouvong of Vientiane launched his 1826 rebellion against Siam, Phraya Lae refused to join and was captured and put to death by Anouvong’s forces at this pond. Bangkok posthumously honored his loyalty with the title he’s now known by, and in 1968 the people of Chaiyaphum built this shrine and installed his statue so residents would have somewhere to pay respects.

Watch out: this isn’t a Buddhist temple, despite how it’s sometimes described online — there’s no ordained monks, no prayer hall, no Buddha image as the focal point. It’s a shrine to a historical figure, in the same tradition as a city-pillar shrine: a statue, an altar for offerings, and a community that treats the site as sacred civic ground rather than a monastery.

A large tamarind tree stands over the shrine building at the water’s edge, and locals leave flowers, fruit, and incense at the statue’s base year-round. The pond itself gives the site its quiet character outside festival season — still water, shade, and the low murmur of visitors rather than any temple soundscape.

That changes completely from 12-20 January, when Chaiyaphum holds its biggest annual event here: a monument-worship parade, an elephant-offering procession, district floats, a trade fair, and agricultural competitions fill the grounds. A second, smaller worship ceremony with three nights of traditional dance runs the first Monday of May.

Insider Tip: if you want the shrine at its liveliest, plan around the January fair — book Chaiyaphum accommodation early, since the town’s limited hotel stock fills up for the week.

The shrine is a short tuk-tuk or songthaew ride from central Chaiyaphum. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) as you would for any Thai religious site, and expect no entry fee or ticket booth — just a donation box at the shrine itself.