The ceremony took place yesterday (Dec 16), with Governor Nirat formally accepting the completed works on behalf of Phuket Province. Also attending were Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkul, Phuket Provincial Culture Officer Puangphaka Chaowai and Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town Planning Officer Pakorn Waraphasakul.
The project was carried out by Botanica Luxury Phuket Co Ltd, which was entrusted with improving the landscape surrounding the City Pillar Shrine, one of Phuket’s most revered sacred sites. The work focused on enhancing the overall environment while respecting the shrine’s cultural and religious significance.
Atthasit Intrachootee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Botanica Luxury Phuket Co Ltd, said the company was honoured to be selected for the project.
He explained that the Botanica Landscape team was involved in every stage of the process, from designing a systematic and visually appropriate landscape to selecting tree species suited to the site and ensuring long-term sustainability. The area was also carefully inspected to ensure it was fully prepared for public use.
“The project has been completed to the specified standards, and we are officially handing over the area to Phuket Province for care, maintenance and public benefit,” Mr Atthasit said, adding that Botanica intends to continue supporting future public-benefit projects in Phuket.
Governor Nirat thanked Botanica Luxury Phuket for its contribution, noting that the City Pillar Shrine holds deep cultural and religious importance for the people of Phuket.
He said the attention to detail in the landscaping, plant selection and overall site readiness reflected a strong sense of social responsibility from the private sector, and would help preserve the shrine’s dignity and importance for future generations.
Botanica also highlighted the project in a statement posted online, saying it was proud to take part in the landscape improvement of the city pillar shrine in Baan Muang Mai. The company noted that the work was completed with care and dedication, including thoughtful design, suitable plant selection and thorough preparation of all areas before the official handover to the province.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The completion of the landscape project comes at a time of increased recognition of Phuket’s City Pillar Shrines at the provincial and national levels.
Last week, provincial cultural officials selected ‘The Path of Faith: The Four City Pillar Shrines’ as Phuket’s representative highlight for the Ministry of Culture’s ‘Unseen Thai Thai’ initiative for 2025. The decision was made at a provincial-level selection committee meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall and chaired by Provincial Culture Officer Puangphaka Chaowai.
The initiative aims to promote cultural heritage that reflects Thai identity while supporting creative-economy development. Phuket’s selection highlights the island’s unique tradition of maintaining four city pillar shrines positioned in the north, south, east and west ‒ a practice local officials explained as rooted in Hokkien Chinese and Baba-Peranakan belief systems.
Cultural experts involved in the selection described the four shrines as symbolic pillars of Phuket’s identity, linking the island’s history of tin mining and seafaring with long-established community life and Sino-Portuguese cultural influences. Officials also noted the potential to develop the ‘Path of Faith’ into a cultural tourism route.
The Muang Mai City Pillar Shrine has also seen significant investment over the past year. Landscape and structural improvements completed by Nov 30, 2024, included renovations to fencing, worship areas, walkways and signage, with a total budget of more than B3.4 million.
Additional works have included the construction of perimeter walls and gates, the creation of wood carvings depicting the Four Heavenly Kings to guard the four directions, and ongoing repairs to the shrine’s interior and electrical systems.
Provincial officials say the combined efforts of government agencies and private-sector partners will help ensure the City Pillar Shrines remain protected, respected and accessible, while reinforcing their role as enduring symbols of Phuket’s cultural heritage.