Lak Meuang

What would otherwise be an uninteresting mileage marker has both religious and historical significance in Thailand. Lak Meuang is the city shrine, a wooden pillar erected by Rama I in 1782 to represent the founding of the new Bangkok capital. From this point, distances are measured to all other city shrines in the country. But its importance doesn’t stop there. The pillar is endowed with a spirit, Phra Sayam Thewathirat (Venerable Siam Deity of the State), and is considered the city’s guardian. To the east of the main shrine are several other idols added during the reign of Rama V. Lak Meuang is across the street from the eastern wall of Wat Phra Kaew, at the southern end of Sanam Luang.