Prince Rapee Pattanasak—Lampang, Thailand
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Ianatlarge
N 18° 17.334 E 099° 30.180
47Q E 553162 N 2022222
The father of the Thai legal system, in northern Thailand.
Waymark Code: WMENCE
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 06/18/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member lumbricus
Views: 1

Prince Rapee Pattanasak is deemed the "Father of the Thai Legal System". Prince Rapee (1874-1920), was a son of the well regarded King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The Prince studied law at Christchurch College, Oxford. Upon his return to Thailand he was appointed Minister of Justice at the tender age of 22 in the year 1896. He held this position for 14 years. During this time the Prince codified the Thai legal system, established the first law school in the country, and generally instituted the concept of a written legal system in the Kingdom.

The Prince passed away on the 7th August 1920. Every year in Thailand on this date the Thai people observe Rapee Day, in remembrance of the Prince.


This life-sized statue of the prince is found, not unexpectedly, outside the provincial court building of the northern Thai province of Lampang. The courty building is in the city centre, part of the government complex. The Prince is depicted seated, wearing judicial robes, in his left hand what looks to be a scroll, and facing outwards from the building. He sits on a ~2m high plinth, which has a biographical plaque on its forward surface. As with most public statues in Thailand this is also a shrine. Locals, possibly litigants, will come by to pay their respects and ask for good luck.
URL of the statue: Not listed

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