Ko Si Chang to celebrate 161st anniversary of King Rama V the Great’s birth
Ko Si Chang, a small island off Chon Buri province, best known for once being home to the royal summer palace of King Rama V the Great, is set to celebrate the 161st anniversary of the birth of King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V the Great – one of the most revered monarchs in Thai history.
It was King Rama V the Great who ordered the construction of the Phra Chuthathut Palace as his official summer residence on Ko Si Chang; this led to many other developments and improved infrastructure on the little-known island in the Gulf of Thailand. So this anniversary is close to the hearts of the local people.
Mr. Santi Chudintra, Executive Director of the Eastern Region of TAT said, “The ceremonies and events taking place to commemorate this Great King this year are sure to be very special indeed. This is the 15th time the event has taken place, and we are expecting a lot of people to join the fun and to mark this special day with the islanders. The event has long been a very local affair and so gives everyone the chance to experience some genuine village traditions.”
King Rama V the Great was born on 20 September, 1853, so the celebration is set to take place from 19-20 September in the grounds of the Phra Chuthathut Palace, where the King’s summer residence stood before it was moved to Bangkok around 1900.
Highlights of the event on 19 September include a dressing up competition for local youngsters who will be sporting vintage clothes, as well as musical and cultural performances by students from schools on Ko Si Chang. On 20 September, an official ceremony will take place, during which the people of the island will pay homage to the statue of King Rama V the Great in front of the foundations of the Phra Chuthathut Palace.
There will then be a light and sound presentation, a beauty contest with the contestants in traditional costume and some fun stage performances. There will also be lots of snack booths selling dishes made with the famous local seafood.
To make it more fun and enhance the sense of occasion, TAT would like to encourage participants and people joining the event to dress in traditional clothes that would have been worn during the reigns of King Rama IV, V and VI.
Mr. Santisaid, “We would like this event to spread awareness of the important cultural heritage on Ko Si Chang and commemorate the Great King of Thailand who turned this small island in Chon Buri into a place that many people visit each year, to enjoy his rich cultural legacy.”
As part of the celebrations, the shuttle boat services from Ko Loi to Ko Si Chang will be free at 17:30 hrs. on 19 September and at 15:00 and 17:30 hrs. on 20 September with boats returning at 22:00 hrs. – 01:00 hrs.
