ENGLISH VERSION Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province (King Rama II Memorial Park) ………………………………. King Rama II Phraboromrachanusorn Park
He was born Chim, son of King Rama I and Queen Amarinda, on February 24, 1767 in Amphawa Subdistrict, Samut Songkhram Province. His birthdate was on Wednesday, the fourth lunar month of the seventh waxing moon. The year was the Year of the Pig. He ascended the throne in 1809 and died in 1824. He was talented in military and government. During his reign, the country was peaceful and flourishing. He was patron to Thai art and culture — literature and poetry. He wrote numerous plays and poems and Enau was considered one of his best dance rhythms by the Thai Literature Club. As for music, he wrote a rhythm “Bulan Loy Luan”. He was also talented in sculpture and building. His works are the national legacy and his reign is known as the golden age of literary works. His people lived peacefully and happily. UNESCO declared King Rama II a World Heritage Person in Literature in 1968 and the Thai cabinet officially announced on February 24, 1985 that every February 24, which was King Rama II’s birthdate, is the National Artist Day. 1
King Buddha Lert La Nabhalai (Rama II) 2
Established on October 16, 1968, King Rama II Memorial Foundation under the royal patronage aims to showcase King Rama’s artistic legacy - literary and musical works including prose and poetry, lyrics and dance rhythms for Khon (classical Thai mask dances based on the Thai national epic Ramakien, which is based on the Indian epic Ramayana) and plays; to promote the education about Thai art and culture; to enhance the activities related to Samut Songkhram’s art and culture, cultural landscape and lifestyle; and to support the activities launched by other charitable organizations. King Rama IX took the foundation under his patronage, and Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn has been the chairperson since 1977. Since then, the princess has been continuously helping the foundation raise funds for transforming the landscape into the memorial park in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn royally presided over the official opening of the park on February 24, 1985 and it was opened to the public on March 1, 1985. (King Rama II Memorial Park) 3
Initially‚ King Rama II Phraboromrachanusorn Park, commonly known as King Rama II Memorial Park, covered an area of 11 rai (1 rai equals 1600 square meters). The land was offered by Phraraj Samut Methi, the abbot of Wat Amphawanjetiyaram to humbly pay gratitude to what King Rama IX and HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn have done for the country. Their countless benevolent deeds have been acknowledged not only in Thailand but also abroad. They have devoted themselves to improving the well—being of their subjects and reviving the national heritage — art and culture. Presently, the park covers an area of 25 rai. Thai-style houses have beenconstructed and a vast variety of plants and trees have been grown in the compound. 4
Arsom suksa is another Thaistyle building that used to be a raft house. It is being transformed into a puppet museum. The office and information center lies on the second floor of one of the traditional Thai architectural style houses. The ticket booth, the souvenir shop, the coffee shop and the shop where visitors can rent a traditional Thai costume are on the first floor. 5
6 The outdoor theater is surrounded by various plants and trees. HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn named this theater ‘Kritsada - Ronnarit’ to honor the two architects that designed this theater. Khon, plays and musical shows are performed here. The stories of the plays and the lyrics were written by King Rama II. Elevated areas are designated for the princess and the audience to sit and watch the performances. There is also a pavilion accommodating musical players. The Thai performing arts are held annually on King Rama II’s Birthday Anniversary.
Samrap Klangsuan houses shops selling products, food, drink and multifunctional rooms for meetings. 7
Ruan Ruethaisan comprises 5 Thaistyle wooden houses designed by Professor Ruethai Jaijongrak, a national artist. They are of Rattanakosin architecture. The first floor features the early Rattanakosin lifestyle. There are a male room, a female room and a main hall exhibiting the lifestyle of the rich. The house on the pond features the Amphawa Cultural Heritage. The open space on the first floor is for related activities and a training venue for Khon, plays and other Thai performing arts. 8
Lertlapreuksapan is an agricultural area created according the royal initiative of HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. Trees such as pomelo, Iychee, coconut as well as garden vegetables are grown. Visitors can learn about these trees that are the economic vegetation of this province. 9
Ruan Arwutsang comprises 9 Thai-style reinforced concrete houses designed by Air Marshal Arwut Ngenchuklin, a national artist. Reinforced concrete was used to reduce the construction and maintenance cost. It was the royal initiative of HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. Upstairs are museums featuring King Rama II’ s biography and artefacts showcasing his talents in musical art, musical instruments, architecture, sculpture and fine arts. The carved wooden door is evidence of his talent in fine arts. As for literary art, his writings such as Ramayana, Enau, Maneepichai and Sangthong are displayed in the cabinets including embroidered silk cloth depicting Holwichai Kawee, Khon masks, puppets of Phraya Rak Yai (Phra Ram), Phraya Rak Noi (Phra Lak) and Hanuman. The open space downstairs is for related activities and a rehearsal venue for Khon, plays and other performing arts. 10
The Botanical garden is the place where visitors find trees, flowering plants and decorative plants whose names were mentioned in Thai literature such as Nonsee, Pradu, jackfruit, Tabak, Lamduan, Kaew, Supanika, Fuangfa, Ket, Pluppleung, Chabaa and lotus. They are cultivated for educational and conservation purposes. Sculptures display characters from the writings of King Rama II such as Chao Ngo and boys raising buffaloes from Sangthong, Kraithong and Chalawan from Kraithong. Chao Ngo and boys raising buffaloes from Sangthong Kraithong and Chalawan from Kraithong 11
Sanamchan Rest Pavilion is in front of Ruan Arwutsang. King Rama II participated in building and decorating the real palace in the Royal Palace. It was a place for relaxation and giving public audience to his officials. HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sanamchan Rest Pavilion on February 2, 2013. At the back of this pavilion present the Sculptures of hermit offering a monkey (Hanuman) to Thotsakan from Ramayana. hermit offering a monkey (Hanuman) to Thotsakan from Ramayana 12
Ruae Praphat Utthayan, a royal barge, was used to welcome royal guests and famous figures like Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, and Lyndon B. Johnson of the United States of America. In 1985, the Ministry of Education gave this boat to the foundation and HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn royally blessed and named the boat “Ruae Praphat Utthayan”. The princess rode the boat along the Mae Khlong River to watch a Sakkawa performance about Kraithong. At present, it is on display in the park for decorative and educational purposes. 13
Pluppla Rimnam is a two-story multifunctional pavilion designed by Associate Professor Dr. Pinyo Suwankhiri, a national artist. Activities are organized here. Sometimes it features an exhibition and HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn gave a public audience here too. 14
King Rama II Memorial Foundation under the royal patronage National Library of Thailand (Ho Vajiravudh Building) Samsen Rd., Dusit district Bangkok 10300 Tel. +66 2282 1442 Fax : +66 2282 1442 King Rama II Memorial Park Pracha Seth Rd., Amphawa district Samut Songkhram Province 75110 Tel. +66 3475 1666 Fax : +66 3475 1376 15
Facebook Kingrama2samutsongkram Website www.kingrama2found.or.th 16