HM Unveils King Rama VIII Statue

[Lite Beer]

HM unveils King Rama VIII statue

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King arrives at the Rama VIII Bridge Park yesterday to preside over the opening of the monument of his elder brother King Ananta Mahidol (Rama VIII).

Imposing 5.34-metre statue made mostly of copper, offers spectacular view of Bangkok

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday inaugurated the riverside statue of his late elder brother, King Rama VIII.

The statue is 5.34 metres tall and stands on top of a gigantic base to match the height of the nearby King Rama VIII Bridge.

While the bridge stretches across the Chao Phraya River, the statue stands in a waterfront park on the Thon Buri side. From the park, visitors can have a view of many iconic Bangkok structures, including the Phra Sumen Fortress.

The current monarch has graciously named this park, "King Rama VIII Park" in honour of his brother.

The two brothers had been very close. During their childhood, they also shared many interests and hobbies, including a love of music.

Inauguration of the King Rama VIII statue took place yesterday evening. The current monarch, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, left Siriraj Hospital at around 5.15pm. They arrived at Rama VIII Park around 5.30pm.

Along their short drive from the hospital were crowds of loyal subjects. Most of them wore pink - the colour associated with loyalty to the much-revered King. Since being admitted to Siriraj Hospital in 2009, His Majesty has stayed there for treatment. He has hardly left its compound in recent years.

But his public presence has always brought delight to his people. Even though there were downpours in many parts of Bangkok, including at the Rama VIII Park yesterday, his loyal subjects were undaunted.

However, there was no rain when His Majesty arrived for the inauguration. The beloved King took pictures of his subjects.

"My friends and I travelled from Saraburi for a chance to get another glimpse of His Majesty," 52-year-old Yupin Kiansa-ard said.

She said her group reached the King Rama VIII Park at 8am and stayed put. "The sight of him overwhelmed me with delight," the housewife said. Yupin had also headed to Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong for a glimpse of His Majesty, who visited the area last month.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra welcomed His Majesty as soon as he arrived at the Rama VIII Park.

His Majesty watched an exhibition about his elder brother and traffic solutions before he pressed the button to officially unveil the statue of King Rama VIII to the public.

King Rama VIII Bridge was built over the Chao Phraya River on the current monarch's initiative to facilitate traffic flow between the two sides of Bangkok.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which constructed the bridge, also had the King Rama VIII statue cast. The Fine Arts Department designed the statue, which is three times bigger than King Rama VIII was. The statue is mainly made of copper.

At the waterfront park, the current monarch, the Queen and the Princess paid their respects to the statues of King Rama VIII, his late parents and late elder sister.

The royals then attended a merit-making ceremony in dedication to the late family members.

King Rama VIII passed away on June 9, 1946.

-- The Nation 2012-06-10

[noitom]

This is great that HM is feeling well to be up and about.

[Lite Beer]

Thais rejoice as King Bhumibol unveils statue of late brother

BANGKOK, 10 June 2012 (NNT) – Thai people were overwhelmed with joy at the sight of Their Majesties the King and Queen officiating at the ceremony to unveil the Statue of King Rama VIII by the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bang Phlat area yesterday.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in white official uniform, and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in purple Thai silk dress, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, arrived at the foot of Rama VIII Bridge where the statue is situated, at about 5.30 p.m. amidst cheers from waiting crowds numbering several thousands who had braved an hour-long heavy rain that stopped just before the royal arrival.

The royal monument was built in the middle of the 35-rai Suan Luang Rama VIII Park in remembrance of King Ananda Mahidol, the elder brother of HM the King. The statue, mainly made of copper and in a standing posture, is 3 times larger than life-size, making it the largest statue in Thailand. The monument is raised on top of a 3-storey building which serves as the monument’s base sending the statue to stand as high as the level of the Rama VIII Bridge and giving the monument a majestic look from afar.

Before the unveiling ceremony, Their Majesties the King and Queen viewed the exhibition on King Rama VIII’s life and work in the hall underneath the royal monument. Completing the tour, His Majesty the King unveiled the curtain for the monument by pushing an electric knob. Their Majesties the King and Queen then attended a merit-making ceremony dedicated to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince Father and the Princess Mother, HRH the Princess of Naradhiwas, and His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol or King Rama VIII. The religious ceremony saw a chapter of 10 high-ranking monks chanting prayers, followed by a special sermon by the Abbot of Galyanamitr Monastery, after which Their Majesties the King and Queen returned to Siriraj Hospital.

-- NNT 2012-06-10