Songkhla City Pillar Shrine is one of the important historical sites that reflects the foundation of modern Songkhla on the Bo Yang side. It was built in 1842 during the reign of Phraya Wichienkiri (Thian Jeng ณ Songkhla), at the time when the city center was relocated from the Laem Son area to Bo Yang. This marked the beginning of Songkhla’s development as a true trading port city.

The shrine features strong influence from Chinese “pavilion-style” architecture commonly found in major ports of overseas Chinese communities. The structure is an open hall with a multi-tiered roof decorated with dragon motifs and colorful stucco ornaments. These elements reflect beliefs in protecting the city and ensuring prosperity, aligning with Songkhla’s historical role as a key port along the lower Gulf of Thailand.

At the heart of the shrine stands the city pillar, made of cassia wood, a sacred timber in Brahmanic-Buddhist tradition symbolizing stability and prosperity. This pillar was bestowed by King Rama III, highlighting Songkhla’s historical importance as a frontier town and trading hub of the Siamese kingdom.

Inside the shrine are various deities according to Chinese beliefs, including the city guardian spirit and other sacred figures worshipped by the Chinese community. This makes the shrine a unique blend of Buddhist, Brahmanic, and Chinese spiritual traditions.

The surrounding area is closely connected to Songkhla Old Town, especially Nang Ngam Road, which is filled with Sino-Portuguese buildings, traditional shops, and local cultural heritage. Nearby is also an old opera house that once hosted performances during major festivals, reflecting the shrine’s role not only as a sacred place but also as a cultural and communal center.

Today, the Songkhla City Pillar Shrine is not only a place for worship and blessings but also a starting point for cultural heritage tourism. It offers visitors a deep connection to Songkhla’s history through walking exploration of the old town, which still preserves a strong sense of the past.