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Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Open-air public space; visit the exterior area any time

 

King Taksin the Great Monument at Wongwian Yai is a memory marker in Thonburi that many Bangkokians have “seen so often it feels familiar,” but if you pause and really look, it becomes clear this is more than an equestrian statue raising a sword in the middle of a busy roundabout. It is a work of public art standing on one of Siam’s most important historical layers—the period after the collapse of Ayutthaya, when the country had to regroup, restore authority, and keep life moving forward again.

 

The monument stands at the center of Wongwian Yai on Prajadhipok Road, Thonburi District. The main structure is an equestrian royal statue, with the right hand holding a sword in a gesture that feels like “summoning troops” and “leading from the front.” It is warrior body language that communicates its message instantly: resilience and the act of pulling a city out of crisis. The work is widely described as reaching roughly 14 meters in total height including the base, giving it a commanding presence that holds the space of the roundabout—especially when viewed from the incoming roads. In that moment, the monument becomes a “visual center” that brings a single focal point to the city’s constant motion.

 

What makes this place special is the word “Thonburi.” This side of Bangkok is not merely a backdrop; it once became the country’s heart at a turning point after Ayutthaya fell. The city needed a new center that could control transportation and trade quickly, and Thonburi, as a Chao Phraya riverside city—the region’s main lifeline—was ideal for both military strategy and the economy. A riverside city like Thonburi could move forces by boat, connect communities fast, and truly command the waterways. It is no surprise that the story of King Taksin is so tightly tied to this side of the river.

 

Seen through the lens of “urban history,” Wongwian Yai becomes even more interesting. This area has long served as a convergence point for key routes in Thonburi, a place people pass through to reach Khlong San, Lat Ya, Krung Thonburi, and routes linking across the river. As roads expanded, the roundabout helped organize traffic, but culturally it also became a public stage where the “city’s memory” is placed in plain sight every day. Put another way, even if you did not come here intending to travel, you still encounter history—through repeated seeing until it becomes part of everyday life.

 

In terms of construction history, the King Taksin the Great Monument was completed and marked by important ceremonies around B.E. 2497 (1954). Information commonly explains that an opening and first salute ceremony took place on 17 April 1954, and later, on 28 December 1954, an official state opening ceremony was held. This is why 28 December is remembered and has continued as the date for annual homage ceremonies at Wongwian Yai up to the present.

 

Another layer that helps this article truly “compete” in the Thonburi urban-history lane is viewing the monument as modern public art. The name Corrado Feroci, known in Thailand as Silpa Bhirasri, is often cited as a major figure in sculpture and the foundation of modern art in Thailand. When an artist’s name becomes linked to a place like Wongwian Yai, the meaning expands beyond a photo spot into an “open-air museum” that tells a story of the state, ritual, collective memory, and how meaning is placed onto urban space at the same time 

 

If you want to experience Wongwian Yai when the city “intentionally tells its own story,” look toward late December. There are often news items and commemorative activities in the Wongwian Yai area and nearby roads, with the highlight many people recognize being the royal tribute ceremony on 28 December each year. On that day, the space shifts from a transportation node into a clearly felt civic ritual space 

 

Getting There Visiting the King Taksin the Great Monument is very convenient because it sits in the heart of Wongwian Yai. The easiest option is to take the BTS and get off at Wongwian Yai Station, then walk along the sidewalks toward the roundabout to find a safe viewpoint that does not interfere with traffic. If you come by private car, it is best to allow time to park in a nearby building/parking area and walk, because the roundabout is heavily trafficked most of the day. For photos, morning or late afternoon/evening gives softer light and clearer detail on the sculpture, with safety emphasized because the monument sits on a traffic island.

 

If you want a one-day trip that truly feels like “Thonburi,” Wongwian Yai is an excellent starting point. From here you can continue to the Khlong San–Chao Phraya riverside zone to see Thonburi’s port-city character in a contemporary setting, or head to important temples on the Thonburi side to experience religious sites and long-established communities. And if you like museums, visiting a nearby museum can turn history “from a story” into “evidence and context” that feels more tangible.

 

In the end, if you like urban history, the King Taksin the Great Monument at Wongwian Yai is not just a landmark. It is a conversation between past and present placed in the middle of the city. When we read it through the story of Thonburi, the urban layout of the Thonburi side, and the civic ritual of 28 December, we begin to see that Bangkok is not only the “Phra Nakhon side” that can tell big stories—Thonburi has its own major story too, and Wongwian Yai is one doorway into it.

 

 

A: It is located at Wongwian Yai on Prajadhipok Road in Thonburi District, Bangkok, and is a very prominent landmark in the area.

 

A: Take the BTS to Wongwian Yai Station, then walk to an exterior viewing point while choosing a safe spot that does not interfere with traffic.

 

A: Commemorative royal tribute events are generally held on 28 December each year. The atmosphere is lively and clearly feels like a civic ritual space.

 

A: Continue to the Khlong San–Chao Phraya riverside zone (such as ICONSIAM), visit a museum like Museum Siam, and stop by major temples such as Wat Arun to see Thonburi through communities, religious sites, and its port-city character.

 

A: Morning or late afternoon/evening gives softer light and clearer sculpture detail, but safety matters most because traffic around the roundabout is heavy—avoid standing or crossing in risky spots.