Democracy Monument

Overview

Democracy Monument is an Art Deco monument at the centre of a traffic roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Designed by Italian sculptor Corrado Feroci (known in Thailand as Silpa Bhirasri), it commemorates the 1932 Siamese revolution that ended absolute monarchy.

Highlights

• Symbolic Design: Four wing-shaped buttresses represent the four branches of the Thai armed forces; the central turret holds a gilded copy of the constitution.
• Political Significance: The monument has served as a gathering point for pro-democracy protests throughout Thai history.

History

Unveiled on 24 June 1940, the monument marks the spot near the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall where the People's Party staged their bloodless coup in 1932. It was designed by Feroci in the prevailing Fascist-era monumental style.

Visitor Tips

• Best viewed at night: The monument is dramatically floodlit after dark.
• Pass-by: Most visitors see it from a tuk-tuk or taxi — there is no interior to enter.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes for a walk-around.