The Democracy Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย // Anusawari Prachathipatai) is a public monument in the centre of Bangkok, capital of Thailand. It occupies a traffic circle on the wide east-west boulevard Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang, at the intersection of Thanon Dinso. The monument is roughly halfway between Sanam Luang, the former royal cremation ground in front of Wat Phra Kaew, and the temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kao Thong). It is well within striking range of backpacker central (Khao San Road). It is perhaps to Thailand what the Statue of Liberty is to America -- a celebration of freedom, specifically the 1932 coup d'etat which led to coming of a constitutional monarchy. In another way, the Democracy Monument is a Thai Arc de Triomphe -- a symbol of modernisation and westernisation. It is one of the city's major attractions for cameramen and even cinematographers, as this photo illustrates (a Bollywood dance scene is being filmed at the base of the monument during my visit in August 2008.)
[symbol of liberty]
the democracy monument // grand palace
bangkok thailand 2008
