12/10/2003 by Cholthanee Koerojna

The City Re-dedication of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square

The re-dedication of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square took place on Tuesday, Dec 9 at 11:00 am , four days after the King Birthday and the first snow storm of this winter that left three feet of snow on the ground. The storm started on the evening of the King birthday. The temperature was much better than Dec. 5. Thai people, Thai Association of Boston, the city of Cambridge , Thai government and The King of Thailand Birthplace Foundation (KTBF) officers joined the re-dedication.

The ceremony began with the Mayor's speech, Michael A. Sullivan. The mayor talked about the December's 82 degree weather in Thailand and the birth of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in cold weather and snow in Cambridge .

“How the king's family decided to give birth on the December day realizing that nights and infinitely toward cold weather and snow based upon his birth right here, Cambridge , Massachusetts ”.

The Sullivan's has been serving on the city councils and the mayor since 1936 (see information on the Sullivan Chamber).

“It was some fourteen years ago, my father actually stood here and did original dedication of this square, one of Cambridge's famous sons, because everyone who passed through this community is the son of Cambridge, but the King in his appreciation and family's appreciation for this community just want to celebrate. ”

“it's a great pleasure that we stand here today as we mark a new dedication, rededication that actually contains in it the coat-of-arms of the King.”

The coat-of-arms has been approved from the palace with the condition of changing the wording on the city sign to read "King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand Square ". The content on the bronze plaque remains the same. KTBF is working on the production of the King's coat-of-arms to place on the 6” empty space on the top of bronze plaque.

The mayor mentioned that the king celebrated his 76 th birthday and four days ago, we were at this square to celebrate the King's birthday. He ended the first part with the birthday wish to the King.

“On behalf of my colleagues and here the government is extending our best wishes to the king, and wishing well in many moon years of success as he has been the longest reign ruler in the world.”

The mayor then called upon the Royal Thai Ambassador, Sakthip Krairiksh to say a few words. The Ambassador talked about the birth of the king 76 years ago and the king parent who studied in Massachusetts at that time. He also talked about the accessing in the throne of His Majesty King and HM guiding light to the people and government of Thailand . He thanked the city of Cambridge and the members of Thai community for support.

The Mayor continued his speech following the resolution that extending Happy 76 Birthday wish to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and re-dedicating the intersection of Eliot Street and Bennett Street as King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square as a new granite pillar is installed displaying the coat-of-arms of the King. The mayor presented the resolution to the Ambassador and to His Majesty King on behalf of the entire city Council. (see resolution copy)

The granite cover was opened, then the city sign was opened and the sign now read “King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square of Thailand”.

KTBF president, Cholthanee Koerojna, spoke at the end. She thanked the mayor and all contractors and presented a Royal Barge, Narayana Song Suban Rama IX as a token of appreciations to the mayor.

Cholthanee talked about eight hour's day that all teams worked heartfelt to get the job done on the same day and thanks all team work.

The reception followed the dedication at City Hall in mayor office. The Royal Thai Ambassador presented a gift to the mayor and the mayor presented two keys to the City of Cambridge to the Ambassador that he asked the Ambassador to present another key to His Majesty King. The mayor and president of KTBF jointly presented certificate of appreciations to the hands-on teams, The Architects Forum, C.C. Brothers Construction and Woodlawn Memorials.

The KTBF and the city teams were so happy talking about the first meeting and the initiation of this project. We promise to continue working together toward the up coming projects in the near future. It's such a great success for Cambridge and Thailand relationship.