Grand park in honour of Thai Kings to be opened in Sept

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, August 19 (TNA) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will, next month, open a grand public park specially-developed in honour of Thai Great Kings. Thai Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, told journalists on Wednesday that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is scheduled to preside over a ceremomy to open the Rachapakdi Park on September 26, 2015. General Udomdej said that the Rachapakdi Park, situated on a vast 222-rai army plot of land in seaside Hua Hin area of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South, was constructed to honour Thai Kings who have greatly contributed to the national interest since the former times. General Udomdej revealed that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has named it the "Rachapakdi Park", meaning the park built with loyalty to beloved Thai monarchs. Also on Wednesday, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha presided over Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies, in which armed forces chiefs, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda also took part, to worship seven statues of late Thai Great Kings at the Ratchapakdi Park. The authorities worshipped the giant statues of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great in the Sukhothai era, King Naresuan the Great and King Narai the Great in the Ayutthaya era, King Taksin the Great in the Thonburi era, and King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great, King Rama 4 or King Mongkut and King Rama 5 or King Chulalongkorn the Great in the present Rattanakosin era. (TNA)