Monument sights in Bangkok
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Rama V Memorial
A bronze figure of a military-garbed leader may seem like an unlikely shrine, but Bangkokians are comfortable with their expression of religious devotion. Most importantly, the figure is no forgotten general – this is Rama V (King Chulalongkorn; 1868–1910), who is widely credited for steering the country into the modern age and for preserving Thailand's independence from European colonialism. He is also considered a champion of the common person for his abolition of slavery and corvée (the requirement that every citizen be available for state labour when called). His accomplishments are so revered, especially by the middle class, that his statue attracts worshippers (part…
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B
October 14 Memorial
A peaceful amphitheatre commemorates the civilian demonstrators who were killed by the military during a pro-democracy rally on 14 October 1973. Over 200,000 people had assembled at the Democracy Monument and along the length of Th Ratchadamnoen to protest against the arrest of political campaigners and continuing military dictatorship. Although some in Thailand continue to deny it, photographs confirm that more than 70 demonstrators were killed when the tanks met the crowd. The complex is an interesting adaptation of Thai temple architecture for a secular and political purpose. A central chedi is dedicated to the fallen and a gallery of historic photographs lines the int…
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C
Lak Meuang
What would otherwise be an uninteresting mileage marker has both religious and historical significance in Thailand. Lak Meuang is the city shrine, a wooden pillar erected by Rama I in 1782 to represent the founding of the new Bangkok capital. From this point, distances are measured to all other city shrines in the country. But its importance doesn’t stop there. The pillar is endowed with a spirit, Phra Sayam Thewathirat (Venerable Siam Deity of the State), and is considered the city’s guardian. To the east of the main shrine are several other idols added during the reign of Rama V. Lak Meuang is across the street from the eastern wall of Wat Phra Kaew, at the southern end…
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D
Democracy Monument
The Democracy Monument is the focal point of the grand, European-style boulevard that is Th Ratchadamnoen Klang. As the name suggests, it was erected to commemorate Thailand’s momentous transformation from absolute to constitutional monarchy. It was designed by Thai architect Mew Aphaiwong and the relief sculptures were created by Italian Corrado Feroci who, as Silpa Bhirasri, gives his name to Silpakorn University. Feroci combined the square-jawed ‘heroes of socialism’ style popular at the time with Mew Aphaiwong’s Art Deco influences and keen sense of relevant revolutionary dates.
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E
Victory Monument
This obelisk monument is one of the most recognisable, and controversial, in Bangkok. The monument was built by the then military government in 1941 to commemorate a 1940 campaign against the French in Laos. The ‘victory’ (brokered by Japan) resulted in Cambodian and Lao territory that had earlier been ceded to the French being returned to Thailand. However, by 1945 the monument had become something of an embarrassment, given the territory had to be handed back to the French following the defeat of Japan.
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