New Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Ming Mueang Phon Shrine Inaugurated in Phon City
A new shrine housing a replica of the sacred Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Ming Mueang Phon Buddha statue has been established in the heart of Phon City, Khon Kaen province.
On August 5, 2026, the Mayor of Phon City, Kittichot Triamwetchawutkrai, led a public ceremony to consecrate and install a replica of the Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Ming Mueang Phon Buddha statue. The new shrine is located at the city’s central roundabout, a historic strategic location, following a decision by local officials and community leaders to repurpose the former clock tower.
The original Buddha statue, a Maravijaya-posture image discovered in 1953 at Wat Sa Chantrawat, is considered a sacred symbol of the district. Traditionally, the original statue is paraded through the city during the annual Songkran festival. To mark the district's 112th anniversary in 2025, residents participated in a unique project to create the replica by inscribing their names and those of their families onto brass plates, which were then melted down to cast the new image. This initiative was intended to symbolize the unity and faith of the local community.
For residents and travelers, the new shrine serves as a permanent, accessible site for paying respects and seeking blessings in the city center. While the shrine is now open to the public, visitors should note that the original statue remains housed at Wat Sa Chantrawat. Further details regarding specific visiting hours or additional cultural activities at the new site have not been officially announced.
