Phra Khattiya Wongsa (Thon) Monument

A bronze statue at a busy five-way junction in central Roi Et honors Phra Khattiya Wongsa (Thon), the man King Taksin the Great appointed in 1775 to found and govern the city. Entry is free and the plaza stays open daily from 06:00 to 18:00.

Phra Khattiya Wongsa (Thon) was the son of the ruler of Mueang Thueng, a settlement roughly where Suwannaphum district sits today. During the Thonburi period, King Taksin the Great tasked him with resettling people from Mueang Thueng to a site then called Mueang Kum Rang — the town that grew into present-day Roi Et. He’s regarded as the city’s first governor, credited with rebuilding and consolidating the settlement into a lasting community.

The monument itself is a life-size bronze figure cast in a standing pose, dressed in traditional court regalia, and erected with formal authorization from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department. Bilingual plaques in Thai and English set out his history at the base, and the surrounding plaza is landscaped with flowering trees and benches. Locals regularly stop to pay respects, sometimes leaving flower garlands, and the site draws a mix of residents and visitors from across the northeast.

Insider Tip: Visit in the early morning when the light catches the bronze surface directly — the statue photographs best before the sun climbs high enough to wash out the detail in the carved regalia.

Watch out: The monument sits at a genuine traffic junction, not a pedestrianized square — take care crossing to reach it, especially during the morning and evening rush.

The monument sits easily within walking distance of other central Roi Et sights, and tuk-tuks or songthaews cover the rest of the city cheaply. Dress respectfully, as this remains an active site of local reverence rather than a purely historical curiosity.

For more of the city’s history, the Roi Et National Museum is a short trip away, and the Mueang Roi Et Municipality Aquarium makes an easy add-on if you’re exploring the city center with kids.