Monuments in building bricks

As has been their custom for decades, Central Department Stores around Thailand and Zen Department Store at CentralWorld are celebrating next weekend’s National Children’s Day with an event designed to appeal to the little ones. This year, the retail giant is spreading the happiness even further with the “Baby & Kids Happy Days” event that runs from now through January 15, with Central Chidlom and Central Lat Phrao taking centre stage in terms of the number of activities being organised to mark this special day. 
Those activities include fun workshops, imaginative drawing and balloon twisting, Lego building, storytelling, face painting, and Hot Wheels model car racing. Kids can also explore the North Pole vibe through the “Interactive Central Frozen Land”, catch a fashion show, take part in a Lego bricks workshop or have a go at Strider bike racing, all without putting a foot outside the Event Hall on the third floor of Central Chidlom. 

 

The highlight though is undoubtedly the “Lego Amazing Kid’s Day 2018”, which boasts models of 11 landmarks in Bangkok created from more than 500,000 intricate Lego bricks, which will be on show on Level 1 of Central Plaza Lat Phrao from next Thursday through January 18.
The aim is to let the youngsters learn more about history of these ancient places. 
“Thailand has many buildings with beautiful architecture and these have inspired us to build their models. We are showcasing a mosaic background of all these important places at night as well as 3D Lego brick models of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, Wat Benchamabophit, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Democracy Monument and Yaowaraj Road, among others,” says Panya Parinyanont, a member of the Thai Lego User Group (TLUG). 

 

“And it’s not just for the kids. Tourists too can learn about the important places in Bangkok from our exhibition,” he adds.
“Each sculpture is assembled from Lego bricks using the imagination of its creators,” explains Pongsit Rattanakornwit, a member of the design team behind the 11 works of art. 
“There are so many interesting places in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, so we thought building models of them using Lego bricks would help kids, adults, and tourists learn more about the history and origin of each of these destinations.” Among them is Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, a first-class royal monastery and the repository for the ashes of King Rama V. Originally called Wat Laem, its name was changed to Wat Benchamabophit by King Rama V. 
Another Lego architectural wonder is the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the European style building resplendent with Carrera marble from Italy.
Inspired by Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the interior is decorated with frescoes depicting the history of King Rama I the Great to King Rama VI.

 

The Golden Mount (Phu Khao Thong), Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan dates back to the Ayutthaya period, when it was referred as “Wat Sakae”. The temple was restored on the orders of King Rama I and renamed Wat Saket. It was renovated during the reign of King Rama III and the Golden Mount was formed from the debris of a collapsed chedi. 
Wat Ratchanaddaram Woraviharn was built on the orders of King Rama III for Somanass Waddhanawathy who became the first queen of King Rama IV. The main attraction of this temple is the Loha Prasat, the first and only metal castle in Thailand.
The Democracy Monument was built to commemorate the establishment of the constitutional monarchy. The centrepiece is a carved representation of the box holding the Thai constitution of 1932, which sits on top of two golden offering bowls above a round turret. This is not only the symbol of democracy, but also marks Thailand Highway's Kilometre Zero.
Wat Suthat Thep Wararam was constructed by King Rama I in 1807 and its wiharn was built to house Phra Sri Sakayamuni (Phra To), which was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai province. It is sometimes referred to the Giant Swing Temple.

 

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, commonly known as Wat Phra Kaeo, was consecrated during the reign of King Rama I to house the statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakorn or the Emerald Buddha, a potent religious and political symbol and the sacred protector of Thai society. 
Wat Arun Ratchawararam, formerly known as Wat Makok, is an ancient temple built in the Ayutthaya period. The Prang of Wat Arun was constructed by expert craftsman and decorated with antique seashells and bits of exotic porcelain imported from China.
Talad Noi Community in Bang Rak district is an old business hub along the Chao Phraya River. A combination of Thai and Chinese culture, Talad Noi has become a hip tourist attraction and is a popular destination for local teens. 
Yaowaraj Road, originally named Yupparaj Road, is the heart of Thailand's Chinatown and home to the main Chinese community in Thailand.
The Victory Monument was erected to commemorate the Thai victory in the FrancoThai War. Designed in the shape of five bayonets clasped together, its lower part constitutes a large hall containing artillery bullets and the ashes of soldiers who died in the Indochina War. Five statues represent the army, navy, air force, police and militia.
Other Lego constructions on show include the Ruen Yod Barom Mungkalanusaranee Pavilion at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the Loha Prasat (metal castle) at Wat Ratchanaddaram, the Giant Swing at Wat Suthat, Padej Dassakorn Fort, Phra Asada Maha Chedi at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, and Kalawar Church at Talad Noi.
Kids can exercise their imaginations with a spaceship game, Lego Star Wars, and enter the Lego Amazing Competition to win attractive prizes.