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Lahn Isaraphaap 109 (ลานอิสรภาพ ๑๐๙)
Thai. ‘Independence 109 Plaza’ or ‘Independence 109
Square’.
Name of a monumental historical memorial located in
Angthong
Province and dedicated to King
Naresuan the Great (fig.), who ruled
Ayutthaya
from 1590 to 1605 and is celebrated for restoring
Siam's
independence from Burmese rule in the late 16th century. The
site serves as a national monument commemorating the King’s
pivotal role in the defense and sovereignty of the Thai kingdom.
The central landmark is a shrine featuring three statues of King
in majestic poses, each standing 15.4 metres tall
and portraying a key episode from his military campaigns. The central
statue depicts the King pouring water from a golden pitcher, named
Suwanphingkhaan,
symbolizing the historic Declaration of Independence (fig.).
This statue is flanked by two others. The one to the left portrays the king holding a
large musket which he fired while crossing the Sittaung (ซิตอง)
River, also known as the Satohng (สะโตง) River, shooting the
Burmese general in the chest, killing him instantly and causing
the Burmese army to retreat. The statue to the right depicts the
king wearing a
malabiang,
a type of historical battle helmet
(fig.)
worn by royalty and generals (fig.),
while holding a scythe-like weapon known in Thai as a
kho ngao (fig.)
in one hand and an elephant hook called a
kho chang (fig.)
in the other. This represents the event where the king fought an
elephant duel (fig.)
at Nong Sarai (หนองสาหร่าย -
fig.),
severing the right shoulder of the Burmese Crown Prince and
causing his death on the
war elephant's back. The name
Isaraphaap 109 is said to link the
numbers 10 and 9 to the reigns of King
Maha
Vajiralongkorn (fig.),
Rama X,
and his father King
Bhumipon Adunyadet (fig.),
Rama IX.
Established on approximately 200
rai
of land, the complex was developed as a commemorative and
educational site featuring monumental sculptures, a museum, and
exhibition halls, and the current monument was officially inaugurated
in a major ceremony on 6 December 2025. Eventually, another
statue depicting the King pouring water from a pitcher, planned to be 109 metres
tall, will be added at the centre of the park.
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