King Rama I Monument, Bangkok
Situated at the foot of the Memorial Bridge Phra Pathom, King Rama I Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke is a monument in Bangkok. It is named after the King Rama I of Chakri dynasty and is built to honor the great king of Bangkok who had done many good reforms to uplift Bangkok.
King Rama I, formerly known as Thong Duang, was born in Ayutthaya on March 20, 1737 during the reign of King Barommakote. After the decline of Ayutthaya in 1767, he joined the royal palace as an officer. At the age of 25, he was promoted to be the governor of Ratchaburi Province and helped King Taksin in restoring the country's sovereignty on a number of occasions. He was also the first Somdetch Chao Phraya, the highest rank the nobility could attain, equaled to that of royalty. He was chosen as King at the age of 46 in 1782 and ruled for 27 years, dying at the age of 73.
After taking the oath as a king, Rama I decided to move the capital from Dhonburi to Bangkok because of its better strategic location and the availability of a vast land. He himself shifted to the new capital and stayed in a temporary palace made of wood. He ordered the construction of a new palace and a Royal Chapel where Emerald Buddha is installed today.
King Rama I made the country a democratic state. After digging canals for the defense of the country, he ordered the digging of the Mahanak canal strictly for the people to use as a waterway. King Rama I also revised the law making it suitable to the changing times. King Rama I gave due importance to literature. His most outstanding literary work was the epoch Ramayana that really captured the Thai hearts in all respects.
King Rama I also developed the field of architecture, sculpture and drama. He collected old Buddha images from all over the country and enshrined them in temples in Bangkok. King Rama I fought in many wars, protecting the country from foreign forces and had always defeated them. He expanded Thai territory farther and wider than it had been before. It is, therefore, deemed most appropriate to accord King Rama I the title "The Great" on the occasion of celebrating the Bangkok, or Rattanakosin Bicentennial. During his reign, Chinese immigration was also allowed in the trading and mercantile sector to sustain the country's economy.
King Rama I died on 7 September 1809. It is not wrong to say that he is the one who put the country on the path to success and glory.
King Rama I, formerly known as Thong Duang, was born in Ayutthaya on March 20, 1737 during the reign of King Barommakote. After the decline of Ayutthaya in 1767, he joined the royal palace as an officer. At the age of 25, he was promoted to be the governor of Ratchaburi Province and helped King Taksin in restoring the country's sovereignty on a number of occasions. He was also the first Somdetch Chao Phraya, the highest rank the nobility could attain, equaled to that of royalty. He was chosen as King at the age of 46 in 1782 and ruled for 27 years, dying at the age of 73.
After taking the oath as a king, Rama I decided to move the capital from Dhonburi to Bangkok because of its better strategic location and the availability of a vast land. He himself shifted to the new capital and stayed in a temporary palace made of wood. He ordered the construction of a new palace and a Royal Chapel where Emerald Buddha is installed today.
King Rama I made the country a democratic state. After digging canals for the defense of the country, he ordered the digging of the Mahanak canal strictly for the people to use as a waterway. King Rama I also revised the law making it suitable to the changing times. King Rama I gave due importance to literature. His most outstanding literary work was the epoch Ramayana that really captured the Thai hearts in all respects.
King Rama I also developed the field of architecture, sculpture and drama. He collected old Buddha images from all over the country and enshrined them in temples in Bangkok. King Rama I fought in many wars, protecting the country from foreign forces and had always defeated them. He expanded Thai territory farther and wider than it had been before. It is, therefore, deemed most appropriate to accord King Rama I the title "The Great" on the occasion of celebrating the Bangkok, or Rattanakosin Bicentennial. During his reign, Chinese immigration was also allowed in the trading and mercantile sector to sustain the country's economy.
King Rama I died on 7 September 1809. It is not wrong to say that he is the one who put the country on the path to success and glory.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bangkok. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
King Rama I Monument on Map
Sight Name: King Rama I Monument
Sight Location: Bangkok, Thailand (See walking tours in Bangkok)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Bangkok, Thailand (See walking tours in Bangkok)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Bangkok, Thailand
Create Your Own Walk in Bangkok
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bangkok is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Wats and Temples of Bangkok
The “City of Angels” – Bangkok – is a home to over 400 temples. Known locally as "wats", some of them are massive complexes, quite famous and attracting thousands of tourists every day, while others are smaller and lesser-known, located far down the tiny "sois" (side streets), well out of tourist traffic. Still, all these shrines equally form an integral part of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Flower Market to Chinatown
One of the shopping capitals of the world, Bangkok is a city where you can buy almost anything, provided you know where to find it. And if shopping spree is high on your agenda, then the local markets are the best place to go.
Vibrant atmosphere, smiling faces, plus the staggering variety of unique things on offer, including wealth of delicious street food and snacks – there's nothing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Vibrant atmosphere, smiling faces, plus the staggering variety of unique things on offer, including wealth of delicious street food and snacks – there's nothing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour
Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Founded in 1782, the core of it lies along Yaowarat Road, which serves as the main artery and sometimes lends its name to the whole area.
The district has been the center for trading by the Thai Chinese community for almost 200 years, progressively evolving from a vast wilderness outside the city walls to a major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The district has been the center for trading by the Thai Chinese community for almost 200 years, progressively evolving from a vast wilderness outside the city walls to a major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Bangkok Old City Walk
The Thai capital Bangkok emerged in the 15th century as a small trading post in the Chao Phraya River delta. The origin of the name “Bangkok” is unclear and was likely a colloquial adopted by foreigners, in which Bang is the Thai word for “village on a stream” and Ko means “island”, referring to the city's watery landscape. Another opinion is that it may be shortened from Bang... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Food Walk
There aren't many cities out there, if any, beside the Thai capital to be just as voracious and passionate about eating! Food in Bangkok is a key aspect of daily life, attesting to which are the numerous eateries all over the city. And what's more, regardless of where you have it, be it a scrumptious street food stall or a fancy restaurant, the local food never fails to impress.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 15 Things to Buy in Bangkok
Well-made, local products not only remind people of the trip they've had, but also make great gifts to bring home to family and friends. Following is the list of original and representative of Bangkok local specialties that you might wish to consider as a memorable...
7 Places in Bangkok for Superb Street Food
Eating is huge in Bangkok, and luckily for the famished, you won't be that way for long, regardless of the hour. You can find conglomerations of vendors selling five-star fast food (in the you-won't-have-to-wait-long-to-enjoy-it sense, not McDonald's style) for under 100 baht (roughly...