A 30 acre expanse of empty space and dying grass in the heart of the city, not a tree to shade the beating hot sun with homeless people prowling the corners begging for money and pigeon poop covering every bit of concrete that would have been a possible place to sit is far from being charming. Sanam Luang or the Royal Field in Thailand is a pretty bleak place on the ordinary day but it has seen the birth, revolution and the make of a nation and people. During one of the many ceremonies or protests that have taken place in Bangkok the park transforms to a busy bubble of chaos with hundreds of thousands of people gathering in colorful attire to witness history in the make.

Situated in the Phra Nakhon district facing the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, is the Sanam Luang in the heart of the historic center of Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang was initially known as Thung Phra Men (Royal Cremation ground) and later renamed to Thong Sanam Luang which was shortened to become Sanam Luang as we call it today. It has been a part of the people since the time of King Rama I with Royal cremations taking place as well as other ceremonies open to the public. Paddy cultivation plays a vital role in the daily lives of the Thai people and the Sanam Luang which was an ordinary plot of land in front of the palace was used to grow rice. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the Ceremony of Calling of Rain for paddy cultivation was conducted at the Sanam Luang with the patronage of the then monarch.

Through the ages the park has served the people as a race track, a golf course and a place for kite flying. Even today although there is no need to grow paddy in front of the palace, the ceremony of calling the rain is still conducted at Sanam Luang and the most recent cremation ceremony was of Princess Bejaratana RAjasuda, the only daughter of King Rama VI in 2012.

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