Large concrete object outside British Embassy- what is it?

[thaibeachlovers]

On the corner of Wireless Rd and the road with the skytrain there is a large concrete object embedded in the pavement. Been there long as I can remember.

Anyone know what it is?

[p_brownstone]

It's meant to represent a Cannon, half buried, muzzle down in the earth and was put there to commemorate the Armistice.

Patrick

[lujanit]

Millennium Falcon

[lopburi3]

Or as most of us think of it - the elephant hitching post.

[Costas2008]

It has been put there so pedestrians can not use the pavement.

Nothing unusual in BKK or the rest of Thailand.

[FalangBaa]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

[Suradit69]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

"...all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting."

Why would visiting dignitaries melt?

[Happy Grumpy]

[mca]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

Personally I think he's spoiling them.

[The Dancer]

"Large concrete object outside British Embassy - what is it?"

It's what's left of the empire.

[TheAppletons]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

Funny. It looks like a cookie jar.

[overherebc]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

It's a suggestion box for the public to submit ideas on improving embassy services and reducing charges but as usual they forget the opening

Funny. It looks like a cookie jar.

[KamnanT]

"On the corner of Wireless Rd and the road with the skytrain there is a large concrete object embedded in the pavement."

Central Embassy (a.k.a. Central Empty).

[Srikcir]

If it was related to the British history, why would it be on Thai public property that clearly blocks public thoroughfare instead of embassy property? The location suggests a Thai related object, perhaps to commemorate the British embassy established in 1947.

[asdecas]

If it was related to the British history, why would it be on Thai public property that clearly blocks public thoroughfare instead of embassy property? The location suggests a Thai related object, perhaps to commemorate the British embassy established in 1947.

Because, then as now, the British did as they pleased in other people's countries. Go to Pattaya and see.

[jivvy]

A symbol of the British attitude towards expat pensioners, burying their heads in concrete instead of sand

[masuk]

It's meant to represent a Cannon, half buried, muzzle down in the earth and was put there to commemorate the Armistice.

Patrick

What armistice would that be? Curious to know.

[jacko45k]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

"...all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting."

Why would visiting dignitaries melt?

Quite right,they just fade away like British influence.

[monkey4u]

Maybe it was supposed to be a rubbish bin but some fool cemented the top on to keep it clean

[lopburi3]

It's meant to represent a Cannon, half buried, muzzle down in the earth and was put there to commemorate the Armistice.

Patrick

What armistice would that be? Curious to know.

Story seems to have changed in the 9 years since last posts on this subject. I like the old version myself.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/64473-graffiti-outside-the-british-embassy/#entry696522

[Tatsujin]

It's actually the top of an underground missile silo, designed and built there many years ago to launch the largest firework into the sky that had ever been made to celebrate New Year. Unfortunately, the local Thai contractors didn't realize it was meant to be a hollow tube, and nearing completion date, they filled it with concrete rendering it useless for the purpose it was intended.

[bangon04]

I heard that it is a sentry post / pillbox from the time of the Japanese occupation and colonisation cooperation with Thailand.. Rather like a police control box, but without the soap operas...

[mojorison]

No one knows. It fell from the sky.

[northernphil]

According to Roger Crutchley of the BKK Post in a book written in 1999 it is not a place to tie up elephants in the old days before T/lotus but is indeed a cannon buried upside down as a symbol of peace.

[mikebell]

A symbol of the British attitude towards expat pensioners, burying their heads in concrete instead of sand

Cheers for your comment. I've written countless times to UK Gov & merely get a History lesson & no attempt to justify the discrimination.

Get some of it back by telling them you want to share your tax liability with your Thai wife. It's happening from early April.

[Baerboxer]

It's where the British Ambassador keeps his supply of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting.

"...all those parties of visiting dignitaries, to stop them melting."

Why would visiting dignitaries melt?

Quite right,they just fade away like British influence.

That's why it's concrete and pile shaped then, Hard to get rid of - unlike the already gone French influence, never successful German "influence", rarely successful American influence and can't even influence themselves Aussies. Influence is far too subtle for the Russians and Chinese influence far too subtle for everyone else. Thais do seem to have a love affair with all things Japanese though, so maybe they like a firm hand when being invaded.

Might be an old air vent, concreted over, from a secret underground passageway the chosen few used to use to avoid the appalling queue at the Consulate. No longer required as queuing is a thing of the past thanks to the ingenious new innovative on-line appointment system.

[gk10002000]

Haven't you ever seen a James Bond Movie? I am sure there is a secret entrance to some MI xxxx workshop down there!

[gandalf12]

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If it was related to the British history, why would it be on Thai public property that clearly blocks public thoroughfare instead of embassy property? The location suggests a Thai related object, perhaps to commemorate the British embassy established in 1947.

Because, then as now, the British did as they pleased in other people's countries. Go to Pattaya and see.

Also stopped the French from taking over Thailand and kicked the Japanese out (others helped of course except Thai)

[Baerboxer]

It's meant to represent a Cannon, half buried, muzzle down in the earth and was put there to commemorate the Armistice.

Patrick

Patrick - very shrewd observation. Especially as this is the bi-centenary of a famous battle that ended a famous war where cannons of that type were used.

Wonder if the Embassy will be doing anything to celebrate that victory over a ruthless tyrannical dictator hell bent on ruling Europe? Probably not, don't want to upset the French

[khunianb]

The area was (and in part still is) owned by the Nail Lert family. This structure is a boundary marker.