Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) was the founder of the city of Chaiyaphum in the early 1800s. Originally from Vientiane he led his community to this new site and paid tribute to neighbouring Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). Conflict was ongoing between Korat and Vientiane and Lae paid the price after a raid by Laotian forces. He was captured and executed at what is now the site of the shrine. Khun Lae has been held in high esteem by Chaiyaphum residents ever since. Homage is paid annually in May to the ‘city’s father’ at the shrine which was refurbished in 1975. The white exterior is visible from some distance when illuminated at night. This is a shrine rather than a wat, so the central statues of Khun Lae are the focus for veneration.