Memorial to The Sacrifice

Open Days: Monday – Saturday

Opening Hours: 09.00 – 16.00

 

The Civilian, Police and Military Sacrificers Memorial 2324, commonly known as the PTT 2324 Sacrificers Memorial, is located inside Khun Chom Tham Camp, home of the 4th Infantry Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, in Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province. It is a significant military history memorial and museum dedicated to civilians, police officers, and soldiers who lost their lives while serving the nation in the northern border areas of Phayao and Chiang Rai during the conflict with communist insurgents between 1967 and 1982.

 

At first glance, the memorial may appear to be a formal military monument within a camp area. Yet its meaning is far deeper than its physical structure. Chiang Kham is an important district in the upper part of Phayao Province, close to routes connecting Chun, Phu Sang, and borderland communities. This location gives the memorial strong historical and strategic significance. It reminds visitors that this peaceful district, now known for Tai Lue culture, old temples, and rural charm, was once connected to a difficult chapter in Thailand’s modern history.

 

The memorial honors 399 fallen civilians, police officers, and soldiers who died while performing duties related to national security operations in Phayao and Chiang Rai Provinces. The period between 1967 and 1982 was marked by ideological conflict, operations in mountainous terrain, and cooperation between state authorities and local communities. The memorial therefore does not honor only one military unit; it recognizes the shared sacrifice of many groups who worked together to protect sovereignty, public order, and community safety.

 

The name “Civilian, Police and Military” clearly expresses the spirit of the place. In borderland security work, sacrifice was not limited to soldiers alone. Local civilians supported operations and endured risks in their communities. Police officers maintained public order and assisted in difficult areas. Soldiers carried out field missions in forests, mountains, and remote locations. Bringing all three groups together in one memorial shows that national security was built through cooperation, courage, and trust among many sectors of society.

 

The memorial was completed in April 1981 and was officially opened by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, King Rama IX, on 31 January 1982. This royal opening gave the site national importance and made it a place of lasting remembrance for local residents, government agencies, military personnel, police officers, and families connected to the fallen. For visitors today, this historical context helps explain why the memorial remains meaningful, dignified, and respected.

 

Architecturally, the memorial is simple but powerful. Its main structure is a green pentagonal pillar standing in front of a semicircular courtyard. Behind it is a single-storey museum building. The five-sided form gives the memorial a sense of strength and stability, while the green color reflects its military context and the forested landscapes where many operations took place. The courtyard in front functions as a ceremonial space, allowing visitors and official delegations to gather, pay respect, and participate in remembrance ceremonies.

 

The museum building behind the memorial adds educational depth to the site. Inside, visitors can see historical photographs, military uniforms, firearms, explosives, medical equipment, and exhibition materials related to the conflict with communist insurgents. The displays also include battlefield simulations that help visitors understand the difficult conditions faced by those on duty. These exhibits turn the memorial from a symbolic structure into a meaningful learning space for students, travelers, and anyone interested in Thailand’s modern military and political history.

 

The exhibition refers to several important areas connected with past operations, including Pong District, Chiang Muan District, Doi Pha Chi, Doi Pha Chang Noi, Phu Langka, and Doi Nam Sa. These names reflect the mountainous terrain and forested landscapes where operations took place. Such terrain required endurance, local knowledge, coordination with communities, and the ability to work under difficult conditions. For many visitors, this helps transform history from an abstract subject into a more human and physical experience.

 

The list of 399 names is one of the most important parts of the memorial. Each name represents a real life, a family, a community, and a duty carried out at great cost. Seeing those names in a public place of remembrance helps younger generations understand that history is not only made of dates and events. It is also made of people who made difficult choices and paid the highest price for peace and security.

 

Every year, around late January, a remembrance ceremony is held at the memorial to honor the bravery of the fallen. Government agencies, military personnel, police officers, local people, and families connected to the fallen join the ceremony. This annual event keeps the memory of the sacrifices alive and reinforces the bond between the memorial, the military camp, and the surrounding community. It is one of the reasons why the site continues to function as a living place of remembrance rather than a forgotten monument.

 

For cultural and historical travelers, the PTT 2324 Sacrificers Memorial offers a different perspective on Phayao Province. Most visitors know Phayao for Kwan Phayao Lake, Buddhist temples, Tai Lue culture, and rural landscapes. Chiang Kham also has famous attractions such as Wat Nantaram and Wat Phra Nang Din. The memorial adds another layer to this picture by showing the district’s connection to national security, borderland history, and the sacrifices made by ordinary people and public servants.

 

A meaningful visit should take at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Visitors can begin at the main memorial, spend time reading the information, stand quietly in respect, and then continue to the museum building behind it. The site is especially suitable for students, families, history enthusiasts, and travelers who prefer learning-based destinations. It can serve as an outdoor history classroom where the past is encountered through real objects, names, photographs, and place-based memory.

 

The atmosphere is solemn and quiet. Unlike markets, cafes, or scenic viewpoints, this is a place that naturally asks visitors to slow down and lower their voices. Its value lies not in entertainment but in reflection. Visitors should dress politely, behave respectfully, and avoid actions that would be inappropriate for a memorial site. Since the memorial is located inside a military area, it is also important to follow instructions from officers and avoid photographing restricted areas.

 

Getting There is straightforward from Chiang Kham town. Take Highway 1021 toward Chun District for about 3 km. The memorial is located at Khun Chom Tham Camp. If traveling from Phayao town, visitors can drive via Dok Khamtai, Chun, and Chiang Kham, or combine the route with nearby cultural attractions. A private car or rental car is the most convenient option because it allows flexible stops at Wat Phra Nang Din, Wat Nantaram, Wat Saen Mueang Ma, Wat Phra That Sop Waen, and other places in Chiang Kham District.

 

Visitors should park in appropriate areas and ask officers for guidance when entering the museum or exhibition area. Because the site is within a military camp, respecting rules is essential. Photography should be limited to permitted areas such as the memorial and museum displays. Avoid taking photos of operational zones or official facilities unless permission has been given.

 

The most important value of the PTT 2324 Sacrificers Memorial is that it makes the cost of peace visible. The calmness that people enjoy today did not appear by accident. It was built through difficult service, cooperation, and sacrifice. Standing before the memorial allows visitors to reflect on the courage of civilians, police officers, and soldiers who served in challenging conditions so that future generations could live in greater peace.

 

For the people of Chiang Kham and Phayao, this memorial is part of local memory. Bringing young people or visitors from other regions here is a way to pass on historical awareness. It helps them see Phayao not only as a province of temples, mountains, and culture, but also as a place that played an important role in Thailand’s national security history. The memorial is therefore a destination for respect, learning, and gratitude.

 

 

A: It is located inside Khun Chom Tham Camp, 4th Infantry Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, Chiang Ban Subdistrict, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, about 3 km from Chiang Kham town.

 

A: It was built to honor civilians, police officers, and soldiers who died during counter-insurgency operations in Phayao and Chiang Rai Provinces between 1967 and 1982.

 

A: Visitors can see historical photographs, military uniforms, firearms, explosives, medical equipment, battlefield displays, and the names of 399 fallen heroes.

 

A: The memorial and museum are open Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 16.00.

 

A: No. Admission is free.

 

A: Visitors should dress politely, behave respectfully, and follow the instructions of officers because the memorial is located inside a military camp.

 

A: Yes. A remembrance ceremony for the fallen heroes is usually held around late January every year.

 

A: Travelers can also visit Wat Phra Nang Din, Wat Nantaram, Wat Saen Mueang Ma, Wat Phra That Sop Waen, and other attractions in Chiang Kham District.