Ratchadamnoen Road is one of the most important historical roads in Bangkok. Located in the Rattanakosin Island area, it connects the Phra Nakhon, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, and Dusit districts. It is divided into three main sections:
Ratchadamnoen Nai: The section closest to the Grand Palace, starting from Na Phra Lan Road, running along the east side of Sanam Luang, and passing the Phra Phipphol Lila Bridge, approximately 525 meters long.
Ratchadamnoen Klang: The central section, prominently featuring the Democracy Monument, passing the Khok Wua intersection and Maha Kan Fort.
Ratchadamnoen Nok: The outermost section, leading to Dusit Palace and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.
The road has a total length of approximately 3-4 kilometers and was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) between 1899 and 1903, inspired by the Champs-Élysées. (Champs-Élysées) in Paris and The Mall in London, after His Majesty's first visit to Europe in 1897, to connect the Grand Palace with the new Dusit Palace and showcase Siam's modernity.
Ratchadamnoen Road is not only a royal procession route (meaning "royal procession route") but also a significant political symbol. Ratchadamnoen Central Road, in particular, has been the site of many large protests, such as the October 14, 1973 incident, the May 1992 massacre, and other demonstrations in modern Thai history. After the 1932 political change, the People's Party erected the Democracy Monument (designed by Italian artist Corrado Feroci) as a symbol of democracy.
Prominent tourist attractions in this area include the Democracy Monument, Mahakan Fort, Sanam Luang, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium, and museums such as the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. This road thus serves as an "open-air museum" reflecting Thailand's social, political, and architectural history.