The King Rama I Monument

The King Rama I Monument,otherwise called the royal statue of PhrabatSomdetPhraPhutthayodChulalok, was enshrined at the feet of PathomBarommarachanuson Bridge on Bangkok side.Before the commemoration of the 150-year anniversary of Krung Rattanakosin in 1932, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) suggested constructing a permanent structure as the memorial of the first king of Krung Rattanakosin. Accordingly, the king mentioned his desire to the government and the consensus became clear that the construction of the memorial was to be completed in order to commemorate his grace and honor and that the first bridge across the Chao Phraya was built at the same time. The road between WatRachaburana and SuankularbWittayalai School is the extension of ThanonTripetch. At the Memorial Bridge stands the royal statue. King Rama VII presided over the opening of the monument on 6 April 1932.Prince Narisara, the then vice president of the Royal Institute, was assigned to supervise the design. The statue imitates the King in his full costume seated on the throne with his hands on the sword on his laps. Professor SilpPeerasri from Silpakorn University sculpted and molded the statue by bronze. The statue is 4.6 meters high (later 1 meter elevated) and the base is 2.30 meters wide on the marble base, facing ThanonTripetch.Behind the statue is the marble wall carved like a door with a carved pillar on each side and with a tympanum carved in Urna. Moreover, the marble stone is inscribed with history of the construction. In front are oblations, flowers arranged in lotus-shape and decoration trays. A fountain is situated on each side. The statue also features arc concrete fences in front and marble stones with Thai style in middle. A white elephant facing the hoist, the symbol of Chakri Dynasty, is carved in the middle of the stone. Sloping steps from the Memorial Bridge stretch out to the ground surrounded with rainbows of flowers.