(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Military crane ready to move the cannons
The turning of the cannons
- 9:54am, June 5, 2004
Also: Final positioning of the Defence
Ministry cannons on August 23, 2004
A variety of old cannons sit on the lawn of the Ministry of Defense
headquarters. Many people over the years have noted that they pointed
at Wat Pra Keo and the Grand Palace and have suggested some meaning
in this. This was even discussed on the forum.
Earlier this week it was announced the cannons would be repositioned
so they no longer pointed at the monuments. Immediately rumors began
circulating that it was being done to correct bad "feng shui"
and stop the bad luck that has been plaguing Thai forces in the South.
The Defense Ministry has denied this though.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Repositioning
of cannon as no feng shui implications -
TNA, June 3, 2004
The Defence Minister Gen. Chetta Thanajaro says the repositioning
of the cannon towards the Ministry of Defence headquarters is in keeping
with tradition and has nothing to do with superstitious beliefs.
The cannon, which pointed towards the Grand Palace, has been turned
and is now pointing towards the Defence Ministry.
This is how it was historically says Gen. Chetta, and has nothing
to do with "feng shui" or the trouble in southern Thailand.
Old photographs examined by the Defense Minister show that the cannons
had pointed towards the Ministry headquarters, which were built during
the reign of King Rama V.
The defence minister says that the ministerial headquarters will soon
be relocated to Wat Salak Nua, the Fourth Ordnance in Nontaburi province,
from the current site, 120 years after it was constructed. It will
be well maintained and turned into a fine military museum for foreign
visitors.
Gen. Chettha also says that the current location has its own security
concerns/problems because of the absence protective walls and an external
compound.
The decision on the new headquarters has been referred to the Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for a decision, as it must be submitted
to the cabinet for consideration.
The present site could be a national showcase. The Malaysian Defence
Minister admired it location on his recent visit to the Ministry headquarters.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
While these photos were being taken,
2Bangkok.com asked six different soldiers why the cannons were being
moved and all shot back with a quick and clear "I don't know"
(in Thai).
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Last view of the cannons pointing outwards
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Military crane with Wat Pra Keo in the background
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Above: Bamrung
Muang Road from the shelter
Below: Sentry with tuk-tuks in the background
Right: A tout does laundry in rainwater running
by the shelter
|
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
Waiting out the storm
2B webmaster Ron Morris reports: The
turning of the cannons was supposed to start much earlier
on Saturday morning, but was delayed by rain. During the
storm, I was invited into a guard post shelter on Bamrung
Muang Road.
Before long, a tout joined us and began to tell me about
a government sale on tailored suits that was ending today
(a typical scam).
Several times tuk-tuks noticed me and roared up offering
a 10 baht ride "all day--government special."
This is a ruse to get people to the gem scam shops.
Later a tuk-tuk load of rowdy kids rode by and called the
solder 'kwai' (buffalo--a Thai insult). The soldier did
not react at all.
Later another tout came in and asked if I wanted to see
the Thai government gem factory with special sales for foreigners,
etc. I was not interested of
course. Then he tried to learn about me and determine
how long I had lived in Thailand. Suddenly he said, "how
would you like to have a second business?" I was hoping
to hear this to know the terms they offered to foreigners
to help with the gem scam.
Just then the rain tapered off and another soldier ordered
us out of the guard shelter--by now the first tout was doing
his laundry in the gutter in front of the shelter (with
soap as well!) and was embarrassing everyone (above). I
never heard the tout's job offer. |
|
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Workers ready a cannon for turning
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Below is a series of photos showing one of the large
cannons being turned.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com) |
Also: Final positioning
of the Defence Ministry cannons on August 23, 2004
