King Rama II Memorial Park, Samutsongkhram, Thailand

      King Rama II Memorial Park is located in Amphawa District, Samutsongkhram Province. It is next to Amphawa floating market. The tourists can walk between the park and the floating market. Since King Rama II was born at Amphawa, Samutsongkhram so the park was built on here. Inside, there are Thai old style houses, the royal old boat, the museum that tells about the life, culture and traditional habits of people during the reign of King Rama II, an outdoor theater in a garden surrounding, a botanical garden with various species of flowers mentioned in Thai literature.

     King Rama II Memorial Park was opened in 1985 and built by the King Rama II Memorial Foundation under Royal patronage to commemorate the people's gratitude for his rehabilitation of Thai art and culture. His deeds are considered so valuable in the promotion and preservation of Thai art, culture, and literature that he was named by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization) as one of the most important people in the world. Besides, the local's area could learn, enjoy and rest in the park. In present, the Park is divided into six parts.


Part One
      In front of the park is the place for vehicle parking, local products, and fruit shopping, also a study pavilion for public reading or “Arsom Suksa” which has been renovated from an antique Thai House (more than 100 years) previously situated at Wat Amphawanjetiyara. Present use to be the location of Thai Dessert Museum.


Part Two
     The outdoor theater in a garden surrounding always perform Thai classical masked ballet (Khon) by the royal writing in King Rama II. Every year in early February which is the royal birth month of King Rama II has the Royal Khon Performance held at here for celebration by H.R.H Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presides over the festival each year and always watches the Khon. There is a pavilion for recreation and doing other activities. 


Part Three
     There are five Thai old style houses. Four of them are museums (Bangkok in 1782-1851) and the other one used to be a library which after burning down, was replaced by a new building and now is a place for drama rehearsal and musical instruments storehouse


Part Four
      This part is the garden where various kinds of trees cited in Thai literature are planted for education and conservation. Models of characters from Thai literature are shown here.


Part Five
      This is a riverside area where there are pavilions for resting, restaurants, and a royal barge gave to the Foundation by The Ministry of Education since 1985 and renovated by Ratanasuriya Decker Company, also opened for public.


Part Six
     This part is an agricultural garden area according to H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's idea.

HOW TO GET THERE

Entrance fee: 30 Baht/person

Opening Hours: Opened daily from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm

GPS Location: 13.42699, 99.95282

Visiting Suggestion: There are the bikes for rent only 40 Bath/hour


Some details credit from http://kingrama2found.or.th/