Victory Monument Bangkok

Victory Monument

The victory monument sits in the middle of a large roundabout as a symbol of the Thai victory again the French in the Indo-China war. However, I have read that this was not much of a battle, didn't last long and to some, shouldn't really be considered a victory at all.

Regardless, the Victory Monument is well known and is a great place for cheap shopping and tasty street food. The overpass from the skytrain extends most of the way around the roundabout giving you a birds eye view of the traffic and what not happening below. It also gives you a choice of where to enter the mass of markets, people and street food stands circling underneath. Most sellers have a small stand, protected by a worn umbrella selling a specific product; like DVD's, shirts, jewelery, shoes. Each stand is wedged against another. Others just roll out a mat and sell their things from the ground. The prices seem cheap but really I came for the food.

Here you can pick up a decent selection of street food. From boat noodles to curries, handmade sushi to donuts; these are just some of the choices available. Half the fun is sitting down at a local food stand full of locals, many university type students, enjoying a meal. I opted for Hainanese chicken rice, not Thai food, and after some cut mango sprinkled with chili and sugar.

As with most parts of the city it is a great area to people watch with hip teenagers, families, monks, beggars and corporate workers just some of the types crammed into this diverse area.

Traffic Jam

You can access the Victory Monument from the Victory Monument Skytrain or any number of buses that pass through. The area seems to be a public transport intersection with a mass of traffic and never ending traffic jams. For practicality and speed, take the skytrain.