Chao Pho Kaew Shrine in Phichit Province is one of the sacred places highly revered by the people of Bang Mun Nak and visitors from nearby areas. It is not only a spiritual landmark but also a cultural and historical center that reflects the deep faith and unity of the community. The history of the Chao Pho Kaew Shrine began when a Chinese man named “Hoi, surname Li” discovered a carved wooden figure of Chao Pho Kaew floating in the Nan River around 1934. With great respect, he brought it ashore and enshrined it by the riverside for local people to worship.

 

Later, the people of Bang Mun Nak built a small shrine to house the image of Chao Pho Kaew. This early shrine was modest, with five steps leading up to it, allowing only a few people to worship at a time. Over the years, it became a spiritual gathering place for the community. However, in 1949 a massive fire swept through the Bang Mun Nak market, destroying the shrine. Chao Pho Kaew was then temporarily relocated to the old Thong Chi School. The people, still devoted to Chao Pho Kaew, eventually came together to build a new and more permanent shrine, suitable for worship.

 

Through the collective faith of the Bang Mun Nak community, a larger and more accessible shrine was constructed. On December 2, 2007, Chao Pho Kaew was ceremoniously enshrined in this new building. Since then, the shrine has become a significant pilgrimage site where countless devotees come to seek blessings, prosperity, and spiritual protection. In 2020, the townspeople restored the old shrine and turned it into the Chao Pho Kaew Shrine Museum, preserving the history and memory of this sacred site for future generations.

 

The present Chao Pho Kaew Shrine is a magnificent two-story building decorated with intricate Chinese-style architecture. The entrance gate is adorned with symbolic motifs, including painted guardians on both doors, signifying protection. On the second floor, Chao Pho Kaew is enshrined in a dignified manner for worship. To the right stands a grand white statue of the Thousand-Armed Guan Yin, and to the left, the God of Fortune, both highly respected deities worshipped by visitors seeking luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment.

 

Located in the Bang Mun Nak Municipality near the district office, the shrine is easy to reach. Traveling by car from Phichit City to Bang Mun Nak covers a distance of about 50 kilometers, making it convenient for devotees and tourists to visit. Beyond being a religious landmark, the shrine also serves as a cultural heritage site, reflecting the intertwined history, traditions, and beliefs of the community.

 

The Chao Pho Kaew Shrine is not only an important spiritual sanctuary but also a cultural treasure that narrates the story of the Bang Mun Nak people and their enduring devotion. Today, it stands as both a sacred site for worship and a fascinating destination for visitors to Phichit Province, offering blessings, cultural learning, and a profound sense of connection to the community’s spiritual heritage.