Bangkok's city pillar shrine (also known as "san lak muang") is one of the most ancient, sacred, and magnificent city pillar shrines in Thailand. It was believed that people would achieve prosperity and fulfillment in their work and career, avoid misfortune, and improve their luck, power, and prestige if they took a bow and paid their respects at this sacred place. The shrine is in the heart of Bangkok, opposite the grand palace in the southeast corner of the Sanam Luang and close to the Ministry of Defence. According to a historian, the shrine was built after the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (Bangkok) to replace the old capital of the Thonburi Kingdom during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty at 06:45, Sunday, 21 April 1782. It was constructed according to ancient traditions such as the brahmans' belief in the "held", the single city pillar ceremony ("held "lak muang""), in which a pillar of acacia wood ("chaiyapreuk") was erected before the effort of constructing the city began. It was intended to be the spiritual centre for Thai citizens.