HM the King opens King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument

June 9, 2012

BANGKOK, June 9 -- His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej on Saturday presided over the ceremony to officially open the King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument which situated at a new 35 rai public park, "Suan Luang Rama VIII Park,” named by HM the King.

HM the King accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn left Siriraj Hospital at 5.15pm and took 15 minutes to arrive to King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument - the largest of its type in Thailand.

The monument was constructed to commemorate King Ananda Mahidol, HM the King's elder brother.

King Ananda Mahidol was born in September 20, 1925 and passed away on June 9, 1946.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra led government officials to welcome the monarch.

People flocked to claim vantage points at "Suan Luang Rama VIII Park” since early morning, waiting to catch a glimpse of His Majesty King while emotionally overwhelmed well wishers waving national and royal emblems flags shouted "Long Live the King" as the monarch departed the hospital and upon arrival to the monument site.

After viewing the exhibition, HM the King went to the upper level of the monument via elevator and officially unveiled the King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument.

HM the King then presided over a merit-making ceremony before returning to Siriraj Hospital.

Suan Luang Rama VIII Park, which is located at the foot of the Rama VIII Bridge, was designed and landscaped as a waterfront park on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River. The park would become another recreational area in the Bangkok.

The Rama VII Bridge was an initiative set forth by HM the King in constructing an additional bridge across the Chao Phraya River to alleviate the problem of traffic congestion in Bangkok.

Amidst the thick foliage of Suan Luang Rama VIII Park is the monument to King Ananda Mahidol, the eighth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty, who is lovingly recognised as the “Joy of the Nation."

The Rama VIII Bridge, King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument, and Suan Luang Rama VIII Park served as vital markers of love and devotion of HM the King towards his elder brother.

The royal statue, made of metal and in a standing posture, is three times larger than life-size and stands on two 8 x 8 metres overlapping square bases which have been placed on top of one each other to form an octagonal star shape.

The King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument Building underneath the statue is also in an octagonal-star shape. Apart from being the numeric representation of number 8, the octagonal star also symbolises the eight petals of the blooming lotus that formed the Lord Buddha’s seat.

In the King Ananda Mahidol Royal Monument Building underneath the royal monument, there is a large exhibition hall where documents and items related to King Ananda Mahidol’s life and works are displayed for visitors to admire and appreciate.

The park also consisted of Rama VIII Bridge museum, an octagonal pavilion and an outdoor stage, all of which make the park a venue for recreational and cultural activities.

HM the King was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Sept 19, 2009 with symptoms of fever, lung inflammation and fatigue.

He has recovered, but has remained in hospital ever since, both for continuing physical therapy and nourishment to regain his strength. (MCOT online news)

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