Update : 6/6/2026

King Naresuan the Great Monument

Don Chedi Sub-district, Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi

The Legendary Elephant Battleground and the Heritage of Thailand’s Warrior King Located in the eastern plains of Kanchanaburi, the King Naresuan the Great Monument stands as a grand tribute to one of Thailand’s most revered warrior kings. This historic site was established to commemorate two significant milestones: the 72nd birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) on December 5, 1999, and the 400th anniversary of King Naresuan’s triumphant military march through Kanchanaburi to capture the city of Hongsawaddy in 1599.

The grand monument features a lifelike statue of King Naresuan the Great seated upon his war elephant, with his royal sword resting across his lap. Accompanied by the mahout (elephant rider) and the rear guard, the statue is crafted at 1.5 times the actual historical size. Cast from approximately 20 tons of brass with a construction budget of 50 million THB, the site holds deep royal significance: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the foundation stone-laying ceremony on Friday, February 4, 2000, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn officially inaugurated the monument on Tuesday, February 18, 2003.
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Historically, this very site is strongly believed to be the actual location of the legendary Royal Elephant Duel (Yutahatthi), where King Naresuan fought and defeated the Crown Prince of Burma. This theory is heavily supported by extensive archaeological discoveries on the grounds, which unearthed numerous authentic wartime artifacts. Visitors can explore a collection of ancient weapons, horseshoe markings, war elephant ornaments, military beads, and vintage ammunition that bring the stories of ancient warfare to life.
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Visitor Information

  • Opening Hours: 08:30 AM – 04:30 PM (Open Daily)

  • Admission Fee: Free

Contact & Inquiries

For more details or travel assistance, you can reach out to the local tourism authorities:

  • TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) Kanchanaburi Office:

    • Phone: +66 34 511 200 or +66 34 512 800

  • Kanchanaburi Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports:

    • Phone: +66 34 520 335

Map

Don Chedi Sub-district, Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi