Royal Monument of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 19.00

 

The Royal Monument of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, widely known among Thai people as the monument of “Somdet Ya” or the Princess Mother, is located on the central island of Bueng Phlan Chai in Roi Et Province. Set within Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et, this memorial honors Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra and her profound kindness toward the people of Roi Et and Thailand. For foreign travelers, the site is more than a bronze royal statue in a public park. It is a calm, meaningful place that introduces the spirit of Roi Et through water, gardens, royal remembrance, Buddhist faith, local history, and everyday public life.

 

The monument stands in one of the most symbolic areas of Roi Et city: the central island of Bueng Phlan Chai. Bueng Phlan Chai is the city’s best-known lake and public park, surrounded by walking paths, green spaces, civic landmarks, and important cultural sites. Because the royal monument is placed within this shared public space, it is easy for local people and visitors to approach, pay respect, walk around, take photos respectfully, and continue exploring nearby attractions such as Ho Wot 101 Tower, the Roi Et City Pillar Shrine, Roi Et National Museum, Wat Bueng Phlan Chai, and Wat Buraphaphiram.

 

The monument is especially meaningful because it was established as a memorial to the Princess Mother’s royal benevolence. Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra is deeply respected in Thailand for her dedication to public health, education, social welfare, and the well-being of people in remote communities. She is remembered not only as the royal mother of Thai kings, but also as a figure of compassion, discipline, simplicity, and lifelong public service. Placing her monument in a public park allows the people of Roi Et to keep this memory close to daily life.

 

The site was selected by the committee of the Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Foundation. The chosen location was the simulated mountain and waterfall area on the island in the middle of Bueng Phlan Chai, which forms part of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et. This setting gives the monument a peaceful atmosphere. Trees, water, shaded pathways, and the surrounding lake create a calm visual frame around the bronze seated figure, making the area suitable for quiet reflection as well as respectful sightseeing.

 

The royal monument depicts Somdet Phra Srinagarindra seated on a pedestal and cast in bronze. The seated posture creates a gentle and dignified impression. Unlike a distant ceremonial monument placed far from public use, this monument feels close to the people because it is located inside a park where residents walk, exercise, bring families, join public events, and rest by the lake. This balance between dignity and accessibility is part of the charm of the place.

 

The construction history of the monument is also important. The foundation stone was laid on October 20, 1997. The bronze casting ceremony took place in October 1998. The total construction budget was 2.4 million baht. In 2000, the royal monument of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani was officially opened in the park. These milestones connect the monument with the broader development of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et and the civic memory of the province.

 

Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et is part of a wider idea of creating green public spaces in honor of the Princess Mother. The Roi Et park is distinctive because it is integrated with Bueng Phlan Chai, the central lake of the city. The result is a landscape where water, gardens, public activities, and cultural monuments work together. The royal monument serves as a quiet emotional center within this living public park.

 

Bueng Phlan Chai itself has long been a symbol of Roi Et. The lake was once shallow and later developed into a lasting water body and public park through major local effort. Today, it is one of the most important public spaces in the province. It contains the Roi Et City Pillar Shrine, a large walking Buddha image, garden areas, health spaces, children’s playgrounds, a simulated mountain and waterfall, and areas used for public festivals and ceremonies. The royal monument is part of this larger cultural landscape.

 

Walking into the island area gives travelers a clear sense of how Roi Et combines civic life and cultural memory. The paths and bridges lead visitors from the surrounding lake into the central garden space. The area around the monument is quieter than the exercise paths and general recreation zones, creating a natural transition from movement to reflection. Visitors should walk respectfully, keep the area clean, and avoid loud behavior around the monument.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon. In the morning, the air is usually more comfortable, the lake feels calm, and the light is soft enough for clear photos of the monument and surrounding garden. In the late afternoon, the park becomes livelier as local residents come out to walk, exercise, feed fish, or relax near the lake. Both times show different aspects of the same place: quiet remembrance and everyday urban life.

 

For photography, the monument offers several meaningful angles. A close view emphasizes the bronze seated figure and the gentle expression of the Princess Mother. A wider view includes the simulated mountain, waterfall area, green garden, and island surroundings. Another composition can connect the monument with Bueng Phlan Chai and the city skyline. Visitors should photograph respectfully, avoid climbing onto the pedestal, and should not touch the bronze figure or use the memorial space for inappropriate poses.

 

The area is also useful for travelers who want to understand Roi Et through one compact route. Starting at the royal monument, visitors can continue to the City Pillar Shrine, view the large walking Buddha image, walk around the island, and then move toward Ho Wot 101 Tower. This route combines royal remembrance, local faith, public recreation, and a modern city landmark within a short distance.

 

Ho Wot 101 Tower is one of the most convenient nearby attractions. Its design is inspired by the wot, a traditional Isan musical instrument. From the tower, visitors can see the wider cityscape and the lake area from above. Visiting the royal monument and Ho Wot 101 together helps travelers experience both the quiet cultural side and the modern landmark identity of Roi Et.

 

The Roi Et City Pillar Shrine is another nearby place of importance. Many local residents respect it as a sacred place connected with the protection and identity of the city. For travelers, visiting the shrine together with the Princess Mother monument gives a better understanding of how Roi Et combines royal remembrance, civic faith, Buddhist culture, and public park life in the same lake area.

 

Roi Et National Museum is recommended for visitors who want deeper historical context. After walking through Bueng Phlan Chai and visiting the monument, the museum adds information about the province’s history, local communities, art, and culture. Wat Buraphaphiram is also close enough to include in the same city route. It is one of Roi Et’s important Buddhist sites and helps complete a cultural day trip around the city center.

 

Getting There is simple because the monument is in central Roi Et. Travelers with private cars can navigate to Bueng Phlan Chai, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et, or Ho Wot 101 Tower. Parking is available around the lake area where permitted, and visitors can then walk into the central island. Travelers arriving by public transport can reach Roi Et city center and continue by local taxi, tuk-tuk, or other local transport to Bueng Phlan Chai. From Roi Et Airport, visitors can travel into the city and use Bueng Phlan Chai as the main point of orientation.

 

The monument is suitable for families because the park provides a gentle environment for both learning and relaxation. Parents can explain who Somdet Phra Srinagarindra was, why Thai people remember her with affection, and how Roi Et created this memorial in a public garden. Children can then continue walking around the lake, see the playground, and experience the park as a living part of the city.

 

It is also a good place for health-conscious travelers. Bueng Phlan Chai has walking paths and exercise areas used by local residents, especially in the morning and evening. A traveler can walk or jog around the lake, pause to pay respect at the monument, and then continue to a nearby cafe or restaurant. This makes the visit feel natural rather than rushed.

 

Food options are available around Bueng Phlan Chai and central Roi Et. Visitors can find lakeside restaurants, noodle shops, congee shops, cafes, Thai desserts, and casual local eateries within a short distance. This makes it easy to combine sightseeing with breakfast, lunch, coffee, or dinner without traveling far from the park.

 

Accommodation in central Roi Et is also convenient. Staying near Bueng Phlan Chai or in the city center allows travelers to visit the monument early in the morning or in the evening, when the lake is most pleasant. Nearby hotels include practical city hotels, business-style accommodation, and budget-friendly choices, making the area suitable for both short visits and overnight stays.

 

During festivals and public events, the Bueng Phlan Chai and Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park area may become busier than usual. The lake area is commonly used for city events, merit-making activities, ceremonies, and public gatherings. Visiting during such periods can be interesting because travelers can see the park as a real community space, but they should allow extra time for traffic and parking.

 

Visitors should remember that the site is both a tourist attraction and a royal memorial. Clothing should be appropriate for a respectful public place. Visitors should keep the area clean, avoid touching the statue, avoid climbing onto the pedestal, and behave with quiet respect. These simple actions help preserve the dignity of the site and the pleasant atmosphere of the park.

 

The Royal Monument of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani is valuable on several levels. It is a place of remembrance for the Princess Mother, a cultural landmark within Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park, a peaceful stop inside Bueng Phlan Chai, and a useful starting point for exploring Roi Et city. Its location allows visitors to move easily from royal remembrance to local faith, public gardens, city views, museums, temples, food, and accommodation.

 

For foreign travelers who want to understand Roi Et beyond a quick photo stop, this monument offers a meaningful introduction. It shows a city that respects royal benevolence, values public space, preserves local cultural landmarks, and keeps important memories within places used by everyday people. Standing on the island of Bueng Phlan Chai, surrounded by water and trees, visitors can experience a calm and thoughtful side of Roi Et that is easy to appreciate even without knowing the city in advance.

 

 

A: The monument is located on the central island of Bueng Phlan Chai, inside Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Roi Et, in Mueang Roi Et District, Roi Et Province.

 

A: The monument area is open daily from 06.00 to 19.00.

 

A: No. There is no admission fee to visit the monument and walk around Bueng Phlan Chai.

 

A: It was built as a memorial to the royal benevolence of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, known as the Princess Mother, toward the people of Roi Et and Thailand.

 

A: It is a bronze seated royal figure of the Princess Mother on a pedestal, located near the simulated mountain and waterfall area on the island in Bueng Phlan Chai.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best times because the weather is more comfortable, the light is good for photography, and visitors can continue walking around Bueng Phlan Chai and the park.

 

A: Nearby places include Roi Et City Pillar Shrine, Ho Wot 101 Tower, Saket Nakhon Gate, Roi Et National Museum, and Wat Buraphaphiram.

 

A: Yes. Travelers can reach Roi Et city center by public transport and continue to Bueng Phlan Chai by local taxi, tuk-tuk, or other local transport.