Thailand Guide
The north
Lak Muang
Address: Summit of Doi Tong
A walk up to Doi Tong, the hummock to the northwest of the centre, is the best way to get your bearings and, especially at sunset, offers a fine view up the Kok River as it emerges from the mountains to the west. On the highest part of the hill stands a kind of phallic Stonehenge centred on the town's new city pillar, the lak muang, representing the Buddhist layout of the universe. Historically, the erection of a lak muang marks the official founding of a Thai city, precisely dated to January 26, 1263 in the case of Chiang Rai; the new lak muang and the elaborate stone model around it were erected 725 years later to the day, as part of the celebrations of King Bhumibol's sixtieth birthday. The lak muang itself represents Mount Sineru (or Meru), the axis of the universe, while the series of concentric terraces, moats and pillars represent the heavens and the earth, the great oceans and rivers, and the major features of the universe. Sprinkling water onto the garlanded lak muang and then dabbing your head with the water after it has flowed into the basin below brings good luck.