Democracy Monument
Monument in Bangkok commemorating the change from an
absolute to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. It was completed on 22 June 1940
but officially inaugurated two days later, on the same day as
Victory Monument
(fig.) and on
the eight actual anniversary date of the event of 24 June 1932,
when the governmental system
changed.
This date is symbolized in the height of the four wings and the radius of
the monument (each 24 meters) whilst the year, namely 2475
BE (1932 AD) can be
derived from the 75 cannons surrounding the memorial. The
bas-reliefs on
the lower part of the four wings illustrate the history of the Civilian Party
whilst marking the change in governmental system. At the centre is a dome
pedestal with a phaan holding the
Thai Constitution (fig.). This gold coloured
part is three meters high, a reference to the third month of the
traditional Thai calendar, i.e. June (the Thai new year, called ‘songkraan’,
is in April). The six swords on the gates of the pedestal represent the six policies of the Civilian Party, namely Independence, Peace, Equality,
Freedom, Economy and Education. In Thai,
Anusawarih Prachathipatai.
See also POSTAGE STAMPS (1),
(2),
(3),
(4),
(5),
(6),
and
(7),
as well as
QUADCOPTER PICTURE
and
TRAVEL PICTURES.
MORE ON HISTORY.
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