Ratchapakdi Park to be closed one week

BANGKOK, May 14 (TNA) -- Ratchapakdi Park in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province where the seven giant statues of famed Thai great kings are erected will be closed for one week, starting May 23, for improvement of scenery and massive cleaning, said Maj Gen Danai Karutmaethavee, commander of Infantry Centre at Thanarat Camp. Higher than expected of local visitors and foreign tourists to have a close look of seven statues of former Thai kings at the Park have made the compound and the parking lot dirtied from dust and lubricant oil leaked from cars, said Maj Gen Danai in his capacity as chairman of the park administrative committee. It is necessary to temporarily close the park for the public from May 23 to 27 as the Royal Thai Army wants to improve the surroundings and cleaning of the statues, he said. The maintenance will be held the first time since the statues of seven former famous Thai kings were erected at the park last July, he added. The Ratchapakdi Park was built by the Royal Thai Army under the grant of His Majesty the King, who also royally bestowed the name, to express loyalty and honor to Siam’s 7 Great Kings: 1) King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (Sukhothai era), 2) King Naresuan the Great (Ayutthaya era), 3) King Narai the Great (Ayutthaya era), 4) King Taksin the Great (Thonburi era), 5) King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (King Rama I of Ratanakosin era), 6) King Mongkut (King Rama IV Ratanakosin era), and King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V of Ratanakosin era). The Ratchapakdi Park will also serves as a venue for important ceremonies of the Royal Thai Army and foreign VIP guest reception functions. With the size of 222 rai, the Park is composed of 3 sections: 1) Statues of Siam’s 7 Great Kings; 2) multi-purpose yard for important ceremonies of the Royal Thai Army; and 3) a museum and exhibition center on Thai history. (TNA)