Thailand: Caged birds ready to be freed (devotees pay to free them) at the Lak Muang (City Pillar Shrine), Bangkok

Lak Muang (Lak Mueang) are City pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang, the city spirit deity; it is held in high esteem by citizens. It was probably King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), who erected the first city pillar on April 21, 1782, when he moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. The shrine was actually the first building of his new capital, the Palace and other buildings were created later.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Rainer Krack

Credit:

Pictures From Asia