Statue of King Narai the Great |
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พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์สมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช |
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King Narai the Great Shrine |
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Description: |
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Phra Narai Mahrats’ Monument is located at the centre of
Thep-Satri roundabout or as the locals refer to it as Wongwian
Phra Narai (Phra Narais’ roundabout). It is close to Lopburi’s
provincial court, at the beginning of Narai Maharat Street
leading to the city centre. Thep-Satri roundabout is large in
size being the location where Phra Narai Mahrats’ Monument is
placed. Phra Narai Maharat is a King with many generous
contributions to people of Lopburi, this is pretty much why
locals call the roundabout Wongwian Phra Narai or Wongwian Phra
Narai Maharat. The construction is a large monument of Phra
Narai in standing posture, with his face slightly looking to the
East, his right hand holding a sword and his left foot somewhat
placed further to the front. His majesty the King was present
for the opening ceremony on February the 6th 1966. There is
“Phra Narai Mahrat, one of Thailand’s’ greatest King was born at
Ayutthaya in 1632, departed his life in Lopburi in 1688. His
majesty was a blessed being” engraved on the statue. During his
reign, the Dutch strongly restricted Thai merchant ships; as bad
as sending war ships to shut Chao Praya rivers’ entrance routes
and threatened to harm people with weapons, so Thailand had to
respond to their propose and gave them trade benefits. To back
down the Dutch and protect the land, King Narai Maharat
constructed Lopburi as the reserve capital, which is to the
North of Ayutthaya and had planned on building fortresses to
defend threats. A French priest had heard of this report and
offered to use his professional skills in handicraft to aid the
building process. Besides, the priest was seeking a way to
spread Christianity, Roman Catholic, and so found this path a
win-win scheme. His works in were admired and very much
appreciated by the King and, later, the priest was given title
as Chao Praya Vichaiyane. King Narai Maharat was the last
King of Thailands’ Prasat-Tong Dynasty. During his majesty’s
reign, Thai literature and art had flourished to its peak. There
was decent and strong international relation between various
countries. It could be said that during that time, Thailand’s
renown was widely spread. In order to represent high respects,
local citizens have built this monument in remembrance since the
6th of February 1966. It is prominent that people of Lopburi
respect and consider King Narai Maharat as a sacred figure for
there exists numerous landmarks which are named after him for
example The National Museum of Phra Narai Maharat, Narai Maharat
Street, Phra Narai Ratchanivet (Royal Residence), Military
Special Command Unit Somdej Phra Narai Maharat, a monument, Phra
Narai Maharat Hospital, Narai City Hospital, Phra Narai School,
Military Patronage School – Narai Seuksa, Phra Narai Maharat
Park, Narai Hills Golf Course, Narai Scouts Camp and Rotary
Narai of Lopburi. Lopburi annually holds a ceremony, between
16 to 22 February, in commemorate of King Narai Maharat, Pandin
Somdej Phra Narai, at King Narai Maharat monument. |
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Province |
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Lopburi |
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District |
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Mueang |
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City |
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Tha Hin |
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Official Web: |
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Genre |
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Monument |
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Best exposure |
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Morning |
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Opening time |
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na |
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Entry fee |
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Free |
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Coordinates: |
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14.799541 N |
100.653081 E |
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