Worship at Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine Enhance your fortune and blessings for the New Year 2026. If you plan to visit the City Pillar Shrine to pray for various wishes, what should you bring? How many incense sticks should you use? What are the ideal days and times to worship? Thairath Online has compiled essential information about the "City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok" to share, along with the correct worship steps and nearby parking locations. Check all your questions here. Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine "City Pillar Shrine" along with the proper worship procedures and parking coordinates near the area. Find answers to all your queries here.
." The "City Pillar Shrine" was established during the reign of King Rama I (Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok) after he ordered the royal ceremony to erect the city pillar on Sunday, 21 April 1782. The city pillar was made of Chaiyaphruek wood with a core of fragrant sandalwood, topped with a lotus bud shape. Later, during the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut), a new city pillar was commissioned due to the deterioration of the original. The new pillar had a teak wood core, topped with a Mandala-shaped crown, and encased in Chaiyaphruek wood to symbolize prosperity and to house the spirit of the city pillar deity.
Subsequently, King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej) visited the City Pillar Shrine during the 200th anniversary celebrations of Rattanakosin in 1982. He graciously ordered the restoration and beautification of the shrine to its full splendor.
Currently, the area around Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine also features shrines dedicated to five guardian deities believed to protect the city: Phra Suea Muang, Phra Song Muang, Phra Kan Chai Sri, Chao Chet Kup, and Chao Hok Krong, as well as a building housing Buddha images.
The Fine Arts Department registered the City Pillar Shrine as a historical site on 21 May 1975, designating 21 April each year as the city pillar's founding day, with traditional Brahmin ceremonies held annually.
21 April Each year on 21 April, the founding day of the city pillar, traditional Brahmin worship ceremonies take place. What to Use for Worship at the City Pillar Shrine in 2026: How Many Incense Sticks?
For worshiping at the city pillar, you may use either 3 or 9 incense sticks, along with 1 candle.
There are also various auspicious offering sets available, which include: Incense sticks Candles
1. Begin by paying respects to the Buddha image hall, offering one lotus flower without lighting incense or candles.
3. Next, worship the actual city pillar by paying respects and offering a garland. Do not light incense or candles or apply gold leaf here. 4. Pay respects to the guardian deity shrines, which house the five sacred guardian gods believed to protect the city pillar and the nation, ensuring peace and prosperity according to ancient Thai beliefs: Phra Suea Muang, Phra Song Muang, Phra Kan Chai Sri, Chao Chet Kup, and Chao Hok Krong. 5. The final step is to fill the oil lamp at the Buddha image representing your birth day. It is recommended to fill only half the bottle; pour the remainder into the ritual basin to dispel misfortune, completing the worship process at Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine.
What Blessings Do People Commonly Request at Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine? People usually visit the City Pillar Shrine to pray during the New Year or important festivals, considering it a good and auspicious fresh start. It is also believed that residents of any province should worship their local city pillar shrine to request blessings and entrust themselves to the shrine's protection.
At Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine, common prayers include wishes for career prosperity and financial stability, believed to support smooth life progress throughout the year. Dress Recommendations for Visiting Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine Men should wear modest-colored shirts and long pants; sleeveless shirts or tank tops are not allowed.
Women should dress neatly and modestly with covered shoulders and knees, wearing shirts with sleeves and pants or skirts that cover the knees. Avoid sleeveless tops, tank tops, short or tight clothing. When is the Best Day and Time to Worship at Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine? The shrine is open daily from 06:30 to 18:30 with free admission. During special festivals such as New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year, it remains open throughout the night.
Where to Park When Visiting the City Pillar Shrine If using public transport, take the MRT subway to Sanam Chai Station, exit at Gate 2, then follow signs to "Bangkok City Pillar Shrine." For those driving private cars, parking is available at Sanam Luang with the following schedule:
Weekends and public holidays: parking allowed from 06:00 to 18:00.
Nearby Bangkok's City Pillar Shrine, there are many significant Thai landmarks, especially historic temples of Rattanakosin era, such as Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho, Wat Suthat, Wat Bowonniwet, and Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit. Visitors can also go to these temples to pray for blessings.
Image and information courtesy of: Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
