Rating: 2.9/5 (11 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Recommended 08.00–17.00 (daytime visits are safer for travel)

 

Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek Shrine is one of the important spiritual landmarks of Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. The shrine reflects the collective memory of Fang as a former frontier town through the legend of a dual-sword warrior. Local people believe that Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek continues to protect and watch over the community. For this reason, the shrine is not merely a place of worship, but a space where belief, history, and the identity of the Fang people are quietly yet firmly preserved.

 

According to local oral history, Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek was a tall and powerful military officer who served as the chief warrior of the Lord of Fang. He was highly skilled in the use of dual swords and fought against enemies throughout his life until his death. The name “Khom Mue Lek,” meaning “Iron Wrist,” comes from his distinctive practice of wearing iron guards from the wrist to the elbow, using them as protection against enemy blades instead of a shield. This feature later became a symbol of courage, strength, and unwavering determination in defending the homeland.

 

Viewed in a broader historical context, Fang is remembered as a northern border and frontier town. Living under the constant uncertainty of warfare shaped the community’s reliance on protective figures and warrior symbolism. Faith in Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek is therefore more than legend; it functions as an emotional anchor that gives people a sense of security and continuity in a land once defined by conflict.

 

There are accounts indicating that the Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek Shrine was renovated and reconstructed around 1994 to better accommodate worshippers and to serve as a stronger spiritual center for the community. Since then, the shrine has become a place where both locals and visitors come to pay respect, particularly to pray for safety, protection during travel, and success in occupations involving risk.

 

The atmosphere of the shrine is simple rather than ornate, yet it conveys a sense of solidity and calm. Worship here is usually modest, without elaborate rituals. Visitors are encouraged to behave respectfully, speak softly, and help keep the area clean so that the shrine remains a shared spiritual space accessible to all.

 

Getting There The Chao Pho Khom Mue Lek Shrine is located in Moo 3, Ban Pa Ngae, Mae Kha Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. Daytime travel is recommended. Visitors can drive to Fang District, continue toward Mae Kha Subdistrict, and then follow map navigation to Ban Pa Ngae. Extra caution is advised during the rainy season due to potentially slippery roads.

 

 

A: According to local legend, he was a chief warrior of the Lord of Fang, skilled in dual swords and known for wearing iron arm guards for protection in battle.

 

A: Most worshippers pray for safety, protection during travel, and success in work involving risk.

 

A: Morning to early afternoon is recommended for easier and safer travel, especially during the rainy season.