Situated behind Kamphaeng Phet’s provincial office, this shrine has a sandstone base upon which stands a bronze cast and copy of the god, Shiva. The original is displayed in the Kamphaeng Phet National Museum.
During the reign of King Rama V, the hands and head of the statue were stolen by a German tourist who took them to Bangkok in 1886 with the intention of carting them back to Germany. It took a request from the king himself to have them returned and the Thai authorities graciously supplied a copy of the stolen goods to the Museum of Berlin.
If you visit the shrine, you’re likely to see people making offerings here, showing that Buddha is not the only image worshipped by Thais.
Getting There
You can walk here from anywhere in the town center, and it’s worth combining a visit here with a look at the national and regional museums, which are just around the corner.
Need to Know
- What is it? A bronze statue of Shiva that stands 1.5m high.
- Opening hours: 24 hours.
- Entrance fees: free.
- Address: Off Pindamri Road.
- Where: Behind the provincial office in Kamphaeng Phet.
- How to get there: from the heart of Kamphaeng Phet, visitors can get a songthaew for around 10 minutes to the statue or hire a motorbike and follow signs to the provincial office. Buses from Bangkok to Kamphaeng Phet take 6 hours.