1932 was a landmark year for Thailand. For over 150 years it had been an absolute monarchy. However under the leadership of Field Marshall Phibun, a coup was staged and Thailand was ushered into a democracy.
In order to commemorate this event a monument was commissioned. Strangely it was created by an Italian sculptor Corrado Feroci – who however had by that time become a Thai citizen under the name of Silpa Bhirasi.
The Democracy Monument, constructed in a symbolic area between the Dusit Palace and old Grand Palace, is full of symbolism in itself.
In the centre of the monument is the 1st constitution of Thailand atop two gold offering bowls on a turret. This turret is 3M tall-signifying the month of June-in the Thai calendar. At the base of this turret are 6 gates with 6 swords. These swords represent the policies of the government under Phibun – internal peace, economy, independence, freedom, equality and education.
The base of the monument originally contained a ring of 75 cannons, depicting the year 2475 under the Buddhist calendar – which was the year of the coup – 1932. Four 24M wings surround the turret structure. Whilst the height depicts the date of the coup – 24th June – the 4 wings symbolise the armed forces of Thailand who act as protectors of the constitution.
From the base of 2 of these wings like arches, sprout two fountains from a traditional “naga” – snake – form. Relief sculptures depicting highly skilled images surround the monument.
With all this symbolism, the democracy monument makes for a very interesting tourist attraction as well as a rallying centre for political expression even today. A visitor to Bangkok, wishing to visit this monument, may base themselves from the many Bangkok apartment hotels found around the city, such as the Citadines Bangkok Sukhumvit 8. These Bangkok apartments, set in a residential area are centrally located making it the ideal choice for accommodation.
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