The wrings are 24 meters high, which signify June 24, the date of the change governmental system. The 75 cannons around the perimeter of the monument symbolize the year of change of 2475 B.E. or 1932 A.D. The traditional Thai tray which carries the constitution replica is 3 meters high, referring to June, the third month of the traditional calendar. You should note that the Thai traditional New Year starts in April, with the 13th of April being the Thai New Year’s Day.
We are now approaching another historic area of Bangkok with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace in the background. The large field in the foreground is known as Sanam Luang. It has been used for royal ceremonies such as the royal ploughing ceremony, which kicks off rice-planting season. The ceremony is held for a day in May When the King appoints a phraya raek na or the Lord of the Festival as his representative. The ceremony is to ensure the prosperity of the farmers’ rice crops for the year. In March and April you’ll be amazed to see that the sky over Sanam Luang is filled with colorful kites. This is the season when many rival teams compete with each other in kite-fighting competition. Once the weekend market was help here on Saturdays and Sundays but such a heaven for shoppers was banned from here and is now help on every weeked at the Chatuchak market next to the Chatuchak Park north of Bangkok.
When we find a parking space next to Sanam Luang, we’ll walk to the temple of the Emerald Buddha. I have to remind you that visitors must wear decent clothes on the palace ground. Visitors are not allowed to wear shorts and thongs or sandals. Men wearing long-sleeved shirts must not roll up their sleeves. May I also ask you to stay with me and your group until I tell you to wander around on your own. We’ll back here at the bus at 11.30.