The Naval City Pillar of Chiang Rai
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The Naval City Pillar of Chiang Rai (เสาสะดือเมืองเชียงราย (เสาหลักเมือง)) was constructed in 1987 in occasion of the 60 years birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the 725 years celebration of the City of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.
The construction was supervised by Mr. Aram Aiem-arun, former governor of Chiang Rai and the project supported by the Social Research Institute of Chiang Mai University, Chiang Rai people, private sector as well as the Germany government.
The Naval City Pillar locates on the top of Doi Jom Thong (Jom Thong Hill) the same area of Wat Phra That Doi Jom Thong. The main pillar and 108 surrounding pillars were constructed in Khmer style “Banom Ba-Keang” based on the Lanna belief. The outside area covers with river and land, inner part comprises 6 tiers of the heaven (Catummaharajika, Tavatimsa, Yama, Tusita, Nimmanarati, and Paranimmitavasavatti) that divided by 5 important rivers in ancient legend (Ganges, Yamuna, Ajiravati, Sarabhu, and Mahi), the platform of the main pillar constructed by marble that divided into 3 tiers to imply the Rupabrahma, Arupabrahma, and Nirvana. The main pillar locates on the triangle base.
The size of the main pillar is 5 times of His Majesty’s fist and the height is the same with His Majesty’s height. Mr Singhkhum Somkrue is respected as an artisan who engraved these naval city pillars.
Nearby the Naval City Pillar, there is a “National Cultural Cell of Chiang Rai” constructed in January 19, 2001 that contains a cultural evidence of contemporary culture in underground. It plans to open next 100 years (January 19, 2101).
