Amulets produced to mark anniversary of Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Friday presided over a ceremony to produce amulets to mark the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine’s 235th anniversary.
The rite organised at the shrine, located at the southeast corner of Sanam Luang, was co-presided by Phra Phrommangalajarn (Chaokhun Thongchai) of Wat Traimitr.
King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty erected the first city pillar – which is 178-inch-long and made of Acacia wood (Chaiyaphreuk) with a horoscope for the city inside – on April 21, 1782 when he moved the Thai capital from Thonburi to Bangkok.
During the reign of King Rama IV, the King ordered the construction of a replacement pillar with a new horoscope for the city placed inside.
During the reign of King Rama IX, the shrine underwent restoration in preparation for the celebration marking the 200th anniversary of Rattanakosin in 1982 and both old and new pillars were placed together in a refurbished pavilion.
The Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is open to the public every day from 6am to 6.30pm.