Traffic advice as Army begins transportation of great king statutes to Hua Hin

HUA HIN: -- Motorists driving on Phetkasem highway from Bangkok to Hua Hin district are warned of possible traffic inconvenience between 3 pm till 2.00 am from today until July 29 as the Royal Thai Army will be transporting seven giant statues of the

Thai ancient great kings to be erected at Rajabhakdi Museum Park in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The transportation of the huge statues of the seven great kings in ancient time from the mold making factories in five central provinces starts from July 23-29. The transportation time from each of the five provinces will take about eleven hours from 3 pm until 2 am of the next day.

The first transportation began yesterday from the mold making factory in Nakhon Pathom using the Phetkasem highway passing Ratchaburi and Phetburi.

A convoy of two trailers and 10 escorting trucks were used to transport two giant pieces of 17 metres high and six metres wide of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great to the museum park from 3 pm yesterday along the 173 kilometre distance.

During the transportation traffic along the route was closed.

For Friday, the Army will transport the statue of King Narai the Great from Lopburi province to Hua Hin along the 380- kilometre distance, beginning 3 pm.

Traffic along the route will be closed during the transportation.

For July 25, the statute of King Naresuan the Great will be transported from Ayutthaya on a 330- kilometre distance; July 26, the statue of King Taksin the Great from Pathumthani on a 270-kilometre distance; July 27, the statue of King Rama I the Great from Pathumthani on a 290-kilometre distance; July 28, the statute of King Rama V the Great from Bangkok on a 190-kilometre distance; and July 29, the statue of King IV Rama from Ayutthaya on a 330-kilometre distance.

During transportation period, traffic will be closed along the routes to Hua Hin.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr will preside over the ceremony to lay the huge metal cast structure of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great on the foundation on Monday.

The laying ceremonies of the ancient king statutes on the foundations will be held in seven respective days.

The museum park was built by the Royal Thai Army on a 220-rai plot of land allocated by His Majesty the King with public donations and the Army budget.

The park will house statutes of seven great kings who had significant roles in the development of the Thai military.

It will also serve as guest house for significant visiting foreign guests of the Army, and also a learning centre of the Thai history for students and interesting people.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/traffic-advice-as-army-begins-transportation-of-great-king-statutes-to-hua-hin

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-25

Statutes or statues?

One doesn't appear to have made it very far without having problems.

Is this 'park' located on west side of Phetchakaem Road south of Hua Hin town but before Suan Son Phadiphat? If so, it is under active construction, certainly not completed.