Victory Monument — Attraction in Thung Phaya Thai Subdistrict

The Victory Monument in Bangkok, Thailand, is a multifaceted landmark with deep historical, cultural, and political significance. Below is a detailed overview of its key aspects:

1. Historical Background Origins: Built in June 1941 to commemorate Thailand’s victory in the Franco-Thai War (1940–1941), a territorial conflict over regions in western Cambodia and northern/southern Laos. The war resulted in 59 Thai casualties and 421 French losses . Commemoration: Honors 160 soldiers, police, and civilians who died in the war, with plaques listing 801 Thai nationals who perished in conflicts from 1940 to 1954 . Recent Recognition: Officially designated as a historic site by Thailand’s Fine Arts Department in February 2025, ensuring its preservation as a national treasure .

2. Architectural Features Design: Designed by Thai architect M.L. Pum Malakul, the 50-meter-tall obelisk blends Western and Thai styles. The central structure resembles ancient Egyptian obelisks, symbolizing strength . Statues: Five bronze statues at the base represent the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and civilians, crafted by Italian-Thai sculptor Corrado Feroci (Silpa Bhirasri). These highlight the collective effort during the war . Symbolism: The monument’s fusion of art and nationalism reflects 1940s heroic art trends, emphasizing unity and resilience .

3. Cultural and Economic Role Transport Hub: Located at the intersection of major roads (Phaholyothin, Phaya Thai, Ratchawithi), it serves as a central transportation node with BTS Skytrain access and bus routes . Surrounding Area: A bustling district with hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, and condominiums, attracting both local and foreign investment . Annual Commemorations: War Veterans Day is observed annually on February 3 at the monument .

4. Political Significance Protest Site: A focal point for political demonstrations, including anti-government rallies in 2013 (against Yingluck Shinawatra), 2014 (anti-junta), and 2022 (opposing Prayut Chan-o-cha) . Symbol of Democracy: Alongside the Democracy Monument, it embodies Thailand’s evolving political landscape and public dissent .

5. Global Counterparts While the Bangkok monument is distinct, other "Victory Monuments" exist globally: Chicago, USA: Honors African-American soldiers of the 370th Infantry in World War I . Washington State, USA: Features Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, commemorating WWI soldiers .

Visiting Information Location: Ratchathewi district, Bangkok . Nearby Attractions: Floating markets, temples (e.g., Wat Pho, Wat Arun), and spa experiences are popular tourist activities in the area .

The Victory Monument remains a testament to Thailand’s history, urban vitality, and democratic struggles, making it a must-visit for understanding Bangkok’s identity. For further details, explore the...

Victory Monument (Thai: อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ, RTGS: Anusawari Chai Samoraphum) is a military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument was erected in June 1941 to commemorate the Thai victory in the Franco-Thai War. The monument is in Ratchathewi District, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a traffic circle in the intersection of Phahonyothin, Phaya Thai and Ratchawithi roads. The monument is entirely Western in design. This is in contrast with another prominent monument of Bangkok, the Democracy Monument, which uses indigenous Thai forms and symbols. The central obelisk, although originally Egyptian, has been frequently used in Europe and the US for national and military memorials, its shape suggesting both a sword and masculine potency. Here it is executed in the shape of five bayonets clasped together. Five statues, representing the army, navy, air force, police, and civilian population, are depicted in Western "heroic" style, familiar in the 1940s in both fascist and communist states. They were created by the Italian sculptor Corrado Feroci, who worked under the Thai name Silpa Bhirasi. The sculptor did not like the combination of his work with the obelisk, and referred to the monument as "the victory of embarrassment". In 1940–1941, Thailand fought a brief conflict against the Vichy French colonial authorities in French Indochina, which resulted in Thailand annexing some territories in western Cambodia and northern and southern Laos. These were among the territories which the Kingdom of Siam had ceded to France in 1893 and 1904, and nationalist Thais considered them to belong to Thailand.

The fighting between the Thais and the French in December 1940 and January 1941 was brief and inconclusive. Fifty-nine Thai troops were killed and the final territorial settlement was imposed on both parties by Japan, which did not want to see a prolonged war between two regional allies at a time when it was preparing to launch a war of conquest in Southeast Asia. Thailand's gains were less than it had hoped for, although more than the French wished to concede. Nevertheless, the Thai regime of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram celebrated the outcome of the war as a victory, and the monument was commissioned, designed, and erected within a few months.

The monument became an embarrassment in a more political sense in 1945 when the Allied victory in the Pacific War forced Thailand to evacuate the territories it had gained in 1941 and return them to France. Many Thais regard the monument as an inappropriate symbol of militarism and a relic of what they now see as a discredited regime. Nevertheless, the monument remains one of Bangkok's most...

Victory Monument or Anusawari Chai Samoraphum is a military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is in Ratchathewi District, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a trafdic circle in the intersection of Phahonyothin, Phaya Thai, and Ratchawithi roads. At the center of a bustling junction, the Victory Monument, Bangkok towers majestically above the hive of activity that surrounds it. This monument is another masterpiece created by Corrado Feroci as a memorial to fallen servicemen and civilians. The Victory Monument consists of an obelisk ringed by six statues representing the army, navy, air force, police and civilians. These were the casualties in the Franco-Thai War from November 1940 – January 1941, over the disputed provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap, in what is presently Cambodia and territories to the west of the Mekong River along the Thai-Laos border. The names of the 656 fallen servicemen and civilians are inscribed around the base of the monument, which is fenced in and surrounded by trees. The Victory Monument is one of the most-seen monuments in Bangkok as it sits at one of Bangkok's busiest intersections where Ratchavithi, Phyathai and Phahonyothin meet. The area around the monument is a major transportation hub for buses and minivans to almost all parts of Bangkok and to some provinces. From the sky train station 100 m away, the track loops around the monument giving passengers a panoramic view of the area. A pedestrian walkway just below the skytrain line allows visitors to walk around and view the monument from different angles. The roads below have a constant flow of heavy traffic round a busy area thronged with people. In a distance, construction cranes are busily adding on to an already heavily built up area. Amid all this commercialization, the Victory Monument remains undisturbed, as an enduring tribute to the nation's defenders and a legacy to Feroci's artistry. The Victory Monument, indeed, is one of Bangkok's most...