Rajabhakti Park: A Historical Park to Honor Thailands Past Monarchs (8/10/2015)

A new historical park, called Rajabhakti Park, is now open to the public and has become a major tourist attraction in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Rajabhakti Park is meant to honor past Thai kings from the Sukhothai period to the current Royal House of Chakri. It is built by the Royal Thai Army, with funds donated by the public and private sectors, as well as members of the general public. His Royal Highness Crown Princess Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, officially opened the park on 26 September 2015.

The park covers a total area of 222 rai, or 355,200 square meters. It consists of three main sections. The first section, covering an area of five rai, or 8,000 sq m, features the giant statues of seven kings, whose achievements are well-recognized. The seven kings made great contributions to the country in each period of Thai history. They include King Ramkhamhaeng (1279-1300) of the Sukhothai period, King Naresuan (1590-1605) and King Narai (1656-1688) of Ayutthaya period, King Taksin (1767-1782) of the Thonburi period, and King Rama I (1782-1809), King (1851-1868), and King (1868-1910) of the Rattanakosin period. Each statue is made of bronze, with an average height of 13.9 meters. They were designed by the Fine Arts Department.

The second section is a multi-purpose plaza, covering 91 rai, or 145,600 sq m. It will be used for major ceremonies, performed by the Royal Thai Armed Forces, such as military parades, and for welcoming foreign dignitaries.

The third section comprises a museum featuring Thai history, especially the biographies and achievements of the seven kings, from the Sukhothai to the Rattanakosin periods. The museum is situated at the base of the statues. The remaining area of 126 rai, or 201,600 sq m, consists of the surrounding landscape and other facilities.

His Majesty the King granted royal permission for the Royal Thai Army to build this park. He also gave this historical park the name \"Rajabhakti Park, which means the park built with the peoples loyalty to the institution of the monarchy.

Construction of the giant statues of the seven kings and the multi-purpose plaza took a 10-month period, from November 2014 to August 2015. Work on the exhibition of the monarchs began in September 2015.

Rajabhakti Park is open to visitors every day, between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This new landmark of is expected to become an important historical attraction. Hua Hin is famous for pleasant and pristine beaches, and it is the location of , one of the royal residences of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

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