Graffiti Outside The British Embassy

[camerata]

Anyone read Arabic? I saw this graffiti on the upturned cannon outside the British Embassy in Bangkok this week. It looks like it might be Arabic to me. I also saw the same graffiti on a lampost at Saphan Witthayu.

[terdsak_12]

That's an upturned cannon? I thought it was a boat mooring post or something?

[kelv23]

its a graffiti tag not Arabic

[camerata]

That's an upturned cannon? I thought it was a boat mooring post or something?

I remember years ago Roger Crutchley mentioned in his Bangkok Post column that it was the rear end of a cannon encased in concerete.

[lingling]

That's an upturned cannon? I thought it was a boat mooring post or something?

Sure it is an upturned cannon. And the 'arabic text' on it is a target marker for Saudi Ghaury missiles... ...NOT

[lingling]

That's an upturned cannon? I thought it was a boat mooring post or something?

I remember years ago Roger Crutchley mentioned in his Bangkok Post column that it was the rear end of a cannon encased in concerete.

Inside the thin concrete crust are red bricks (which get exposed every time a bus hits it).

[Gazza]

Edit.

Edited March 29, 2006 by Gazza

[camerata]

Inside the thin concrete crust are red bricks (which get exposed every time a bus hits it).

So it's a rusty old cannon, encased in bricks, encased in concrete.

Edited March 29, 2006 by camerata

[Rooo]

Not Arabic.

[kurgen]

It's one of those Arabic cartoons...........................BEHEAD THE SCUM THAT DREW IT !

[markuk]

Inside the thin concrete crust are red bricks (which get exposed every time a bus hits it).

So it's a rusty old cannon, encased in bricks, encased in concrete.

I always wondered what it was but whats the purpose of it?

[taxexile]

its a biscuit tin full of chocolate digestives for the benefit of any homesick brits who happen to be passing by.

[markuk]

its a biscuit tin full of chocolate digestives for the benefit of any homesick brits who happen to be passing by.

or waiting in the visa q that sometimes reaches that far!!!!

[p_brownstone]

It's actually a "hitching post", specially erected for senior Thai Ministers who, obviously, rode elephants to attend Garden Parties at the Embassy in the early 1900's.

Prior to that their elephants were allowed to roam freely in the Embassy grounds while waiting for their masters' return. One day however an Embassy Official noticed the obvious distaste on the features of the statue of Queen Victoria in the Gardens there and this was immediately interpreted as her reaction to the …… ummmm elephant waste left in the area, so arrangements were made to keep the animals secure - but outside the Embassy Compound.

This rather unique elephant hitching post is the result.

Unfortunately the change was rather too late to appease Victoria and her features on the statue have maintained their same expression ever since.

Patrick

[Kerryd]

Doesn't appear to be Arabic to me. Can you get a better shot of it ?

[English Noodles]

It looks like a drawing of the cartoon guy on 7up adverts.

[penzman]

It's actually a "hitching post", specially erected for senior Thai Ministers who, obviously, rode elephants to attend Garden Parties at the Embassy in the early 1900's.

Prior to that their elephants were allowed to roam freely in the Embassy grounds while waiting for their masters' return. One day however an Embassy Official noticed the obvious distaste on the features of the statue of Queen Victoria in the Gardens there and this was immediately interpreted as her reaction to the …… ummmm elephant waste left in the area, so arrangements were made to keep the animals secure - but outside the Embassy Compound.

This rather unique elephant hitching post is the result.

Unfortunately the change was rather too late to appease Victoria and her features on the statue have maintained their same expression ever since.

Patrick

Interesting story.