Four wings
Twenty-four metres each.
BerryJ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BerryJ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nawit science — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nawit science — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nawit science — CC BY-SA 4.0
A large monument in the middle of a roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the broad royal boulevard of the old city, raised in 1939 to commemorate the 1932 revolution that turned Siam from an absolute into a constitutional monarchy. It was designed by the architect Mew Aphaiwong, with sculpture by the Italian-born artist Silpa Bhirasri, father of modern Thai art. At the centre a round turret carries a sculpted copy of the constitution on two trays, ringed by four tall sail-like wings, each twenty-four metres high, a nod to the revolution's date of 24 June, with reliefs of soldiers and citizens on their bases. The monument has been the site of great political gatherings in modern Thai history. It stands in a busy traffic roundabout, so you normally view it from the surrounding pavements rather than up close. It is loveliest at night when lit, and the north pavement gives the best photo angle. Take care crossing the road. It is a few minutes on foot from Khaosan Road, Wat Ratchanatdaram and the Golden Mount, a quick stop on an old-city day.
Twenty-four metres each.
From absolute rule to a constitution.
Father of modern Thai art.
Roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, old city, Bangkok
Wat Ratchanatdaram and Loha PrasatA temple in the heart of the old city, on the same road that leads to the Golden4 minutes walk
Khaosan RoadA short street of no more than four hundred metres in Banglamphu that has been A7 minutes walk
Wat Saket and the Golden MountA steep artificial hill crowned by a gleaming golden stupa, known as the Golden 8 minutes walk
Wat Suthat and the Giant SwingOne of Bangkok's first-class royal temples, begun by King Rama I in 1807, with K8 minutes walk
Bangkok City Pillar ShrineThe place where Bangkok was officially born: when King Rama I founded the new ca12 minutes walkIt sits in a busy roundabout, so it is usually viewed from the pavements; crossing the traffic to it is not advised.