A Lak Mueang or City Pillar Shrine (as it is known in English) is a Thai public shrine, which is or represents the tutelary diety of each province of the Kingdom of Thailand. Essentially, the shrine represents "good luck" and acts as a guardian for the good fortune of the region. The shrine consists of a central pillar, which is housed in a enclosing structure. This structure usually reflects the historical and cultural background of the province.
Khon Kaen, which is about 460 km from Bangkok, is a medium sized city with a population of about 376,915. It’s pleasant, relatively uncongested with all the modern facilities a visitor would require.
Like Bangkok and the other provincial capitals, a city pillar is raised and blessed before the construction of the city. On completion of the city, a City Pillar Shrine is built.
A famous monk and former governor of Khon Kaen placed a stone inscription from an ancient site in Chum Phae here for a Buddhist rite and set up the city pillar shrine.
The date, timing and location of these shrines are based on astrological calculations. The shrine is revered as a holy site where many residents go to pray.
Please see Bangkok’s City Pillar Shrine.
Another feature of provincial capitals is the clock tower located in the city centre. Khon Kaen City clock tower is something special. Notice the tubular structures on either side of the tower.