Pattaya now has a second statue commemorating its “founding father” with the installation of a HRH Adm. Abhakara Kiartivongse, the prince of Chumphon figure at the Pattaya Police Station.
Pol. Maj. Gen Thanet Pinmueng-ngam, commander of Provincial Police Region 2, chaired the Sept. 25 placement ceremony at the Soi 9 station attended by all the area’s regional police brass and regional government officials.
The million-baht project spearheaded by Pattaya Police Chief Pol. Col. Sukthat Pumpunmuang shortly after he took over in February, the statue of “Sadej Tia” was funded by the sale of 10,000 Prince Chumphon amulets produced and blessed by Geji monks. They were sold at the station for 299 baht each.
The placing ceremony of the HRH Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse monument was held in the morning in front of Pattaya Police Station.
The father of the modern Thai Navy, the prince also has a statue at the Naval Radio Station on top of Pratamnak Hill.
The monument at Pattaya Police Station includes a 2.7-meter-high shrine and sits on a 2-meter-wide base on which the reverent can kneel to pray.
The installation ceremony included outdoor movie viewings of five films and traditional dancing.
The prince studied naval warfare in England and returned to Siam in the age of King Rama V to serve in the Royal Siamese Navy. He contributed significantly to the advancement and modernization of the service.
The Royal Thai Fleet traces its roots to 1923 when a unit specializing in warships was founded under the name Royal Thai Navy, reporting directly to the Ministry of Naval Officers, with three warship fleets consisting of gun and torpedo squadrons and warships.
It wasn’t until 1933 when the name Royal Thai Navy was changed to Royal Thai Warship, reporting directly to the Ministry of Naval Officers, until 1951, when the name was again changed to Royal Thai Fleet.
