Democracy Monument, Bangkok

Many times we travel pass this place as it is located in the middle of a traffic roundabout on Ratchadamnon Road. This place reminds our moment of first constitution. The Democracy Monument was constructed in 1932 to commemorate thailand's first constitution. Its a signalling a change of government from absolute monarchy to democracy with the king as head of state.

Finally I got a chance to stop by there by the night of Songkran festival, this place was central spot of the festival, decorated with light, fountain and colourful dragons, so beautiful !!! (more photos at my travelogue)

This very recognisable monument was constructed in 1932, as a symbol of the transition from absolute monarcy to constitutional monarchy in Thailand. This is the site of pro-democracy rallies.

I took this picture when we were most recently in Bangkok, which coincided with the rallies leading up to the election, and the whole Thaksin "issue". The traffic was gridlocked around Bangkok - and we took to walking everywhere possible. We went by this daily, as we wandered between Chinatown and Khao San Road. This photo was so clear of traffic, because it was banked up elsewhere - everwhere!

The 24m tall Democracy Monument was made to commemorate Thailand's 1932 switch from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. It was here that many Thais were killed protesting against a military coup in 1992. The design is of a large copper tray carrying the constitution, supported by a pedestal.

4 more images

Democracy Monument in Banglamphu on Ratchadamnoen Road looks so much more impressive at night when the lights are turned up and the traffic dies down.

The monument appears every night on Thai TV with the National Anthem. If you happen to be around the area and the anthem plays, stand still and show a bit of respect, everyone else in the general vicinity will be.

It is also used as a backdrop by the BBC when they are reporting from Bangkok and the guy goes "this is Anthony Tremblylip, from Bangkok for the BBC". So if you tick this site off, whenever you see the international news you can shout in your living room "I've been there! That's Democracy Monument, oooh look over on the left is Khao San Road where Doreen met Jonathon for the first time".

The monument itself represents justice and the reliefs on the four "pillars" offer us some recent scenes from Thai history and society.

Another advantage of seeing the DM at night is that you can cross over the four lane highway encircling the roundabout and get close up to the reliefs. With a reduced risk of getting mown down by a Metropolitan Authority bus.

Two restaurants overlook the monument, so it is good to get here at 9.00pm for a Thai meal, watch the scenes while eating, and after your Nescafe take a walk around the old city area to lose those calories. The cooler quieter evening has always made this a memorable night for my visiting mates.

(We avoid the Vijit Restaurant like the plague... it tends to be full of folk reading Lonely Planets eating Sliced Beef in Oyster Sauce.)

While out seeing the Golden Mountain, my brother and I walked back to Khao San road and stopped by the Democracy Monument. The sun was just starting to go down and the traffic all around, it was quite busy, however we still managed to get a good view of the terrific site.
It is something different to see and experience while you are in Bangkok, not to mention the history behind it.

Definitely the most dangerous monument I visited, the democracy monument stands proud from the center of Rajadamnoen Road. Crossing the traffic to see it, well, I might not do again. If you are not fleet of foot, do not try!! Designed by an Italian, the monument stands to offer remembrance about the end of Thailands absolute monarchy in 1932. This also brought about Thailand's first constitution, and the whole of the story about this period in Thailand's history, and its leaders at the time can be seen at the King Prajadhipok Museum. nearby.

Why did Yen and I want to get really close to the monument? Because there were flowers blooming at the base around it.

There's a fountain to the left that I dipped my hand into to cool off as I stood in the shade of one of the 4 wings.

Built to commemorate the change from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932, the monument has 4 main wings measuring 25m tall and a traditional Thai tray carrying the constitution.

Yen and I took pictures of this monument from across the busy street. It's located right in the middle of a roundabout but we both wanted to photograph the monument up close that we braved the traffic as people watched us cross the street right up to the monument.

The monument was constructed during the early 1930's to commemorate Thailand's first constitotion. This monument is located in Ratchadamneon Ave. If you like to go in the center in it, you just have to do it like what we did with Syllybabe..hire a tuk-tuk and let him go in the center to that one...It was a hot Thursday morning when we took alot of flowers in there..

You will surely go past this monument many times in Bangkok. There are many pictures of the Royal family around it.