Don Chedi Monument, Suphanburi: Retracing King Naresuan's Elephant Duel

Today Meeting Point is taking you on a trip not far from Bangkok: the Don Chedi Royal Monument in Suphanburi. On this trip we'll trace its history and pay our respects to King Naresuan the Great.

When you think of Suphanburi, you probably think of the Don Chedi Fair, right? It's held on a grand scale every year to honor King Naresuan the Great. So today we're heading to Suphanburi to pay respects at the statue of King Naresuan riding his war elephant into battle, and at the Yutthahatthi Chedi at the Don Chedi Royal Monument. Ready? Let's go.

History of the Don Chedi Royal Monument

The Don Chedi Royal Monument was established so that Thai people could remember the heroic elephant duel between King Naresuan the Great, king of Ayutthaya, and the Burmese crown prince (Phra Maha Uparacha), who had led an army to attack Ayutthaya in 1592 (B.E. 2135). The victory helped restore Thailand's independence after the first fall of Ayutthaya. The monument takes the form of a statue of King Naresuan the Great on his war elephant, heading into battle.

The Yutthahatthi Chedi was built to celebrate the victory in the elephant battle. King Naresuan the Great had this chedi built in 1592.

Later, in 1913 (B.E. 2456), the chedi was discovered by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, who believed it was likely the Yutthahatthi Chedi. At that time only its square base remained. King Rama VI ordered the Fine Arts Department to restore it, choosing as its model the Yutthahatthi Chedi in Tak Province, built to commemorate King Ramkhamhaeng's elephant duel victory over Khun Sam Chon, ruler of Mueang Chot.

Later, under Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the chedi design was changed to the Sri Lankan style, following the great chedi at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, since it is believed that King Naresuan the Great had the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon chedi built as a victory memorial as well.

Then in 1952 (B.E. 2495), the Royal Thai Army rebuilt the chedi, enclosing the original one inside a large, round Sri Lankan-style chedi that stands 66 meters tall, as it does today.

Inside the chedi there is a history hall with exhibitions, including light-and-sound displays and dioramas of the Burmese and Thai armies on the march during King Naresuan's era. This makes it one of Thailand's most interesting places to learn about history. If you get the chance, it's well worth a visit.

Later, the Royal Institute calculated that the lunar date of King Naresuan's elephant duel, Monday of the second lunar month, second day of the waning moon, Chula Sakarat 954, corresponds to 18 January. That date was made the day of royal tribute at the Don Chedi Royal Monument and is also Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The province holds a celebration at the monument every year. About 100 meters past the chedi is the King Naresuan the Great Pavilion, which houses statues of King Naresuan the Great and Princess Suphankanlaya. Most visitors never miss the chance to pay their respects here.

Don Chedi Royal Monument, Suphanburi

• Location: Don Chedi Subdistrict, Don Chedi District, Suphanburi
• Map: https://goo.gl/maps/qfXkdySJwkixeckN6
• Open: Daily 08:00-18:00
• TAT Suphanburi: 035 525 880
• Facebook: tat_suphanburi

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Author Meeting Point Management Team, MBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ MBA University of Technology Sydney (UTS) DBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ Editorial Team

The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.