Sahn Chao Pho Ho Klong (ศาลเจ้าพ่อหอกลอง), i.e. the ‘Godfather Drum Tower Shrine’ is a Thai-Chinese local guardian spirit shrine in Bangkok dedicated to the deity Chao Pho Ho Klong (เจ้าพ่อหอกลอง), a protective deity, who warns people for looming dangers by the sound of drumbeats. He is said to be the spirit of Chao Phraya Si Surasak (เจ้าพระยาสีห์สุรศักดิ์), an important military leader from the Thonburi (ธนบุรี) period, who in battle used to encourage his troops by beating on a war drum. After his death, people would sometimes hear drumbeats coming from his drum, whilst no one was near, and each time just before something bad was about to happen, as it were a supernatural warning sign. His spirit is thus believed to safeguard the population and warn them for looming dangers. This place of worship is especially frequented by by government officials and military staff, many of whom come here to pray for job positions. The shrine has several drums, similar to those formerly located in the Rattanakosin (รัตนโกสินทร์) Drum Tower. In order to receive a blessing, visitors to the shrine are supposed to hit the main and largest of the drums seven times. 回