Pakistan Diplomatic Relations With Thailand. Minar-e-Pakistan. Victory Monument Tower. Issue date:- 13-12-2011

60Th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Pakistan And Thailand Commemorative Postage Stamp December 13, 2011:- Minar-e-Pakistan:- Minar-e-Pakistan is a tall minaret in Iqbal Park Lahore, built in commemoration of the Pakistan Resolution. The minaret reflects a blend of Mughal and modern architecture and is constructed on the site where on March 23, 1940, seven years before the formation of Pakistan, the Pakistan resolution demanding the creation of Pakistan, was passed. This was the first official declaration to establish a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia. Pakistan now celebrates this day as a national holiday each year.
The foundation stone was laid on March 23, 1960. The construction took eight years of time, and was completed in 1968. The Minar was completed on 31 October 1968. The base of the minaret is about 8 meters above the ground. The tower rises about 60 meters on the base, thus the total height of minaret is about 72 meters above the ground. The unfolding petals of the flower-like base are 9 meters high. The diameter of the tower is about 97.5 meters (320 feet). The base platform is shaped like a five-pointed stars and encloses two crescent shaped pools. There is a central spiral staircase rising up with 162 steps.
At the base, there are floral inscription on ten converging white marble Commemorative plaques. The inscription include the text of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, and Delhi Resolution’s text, witch was passed on April 9, 1946. On different plaques, Quranic versis and 99 attributes of God are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy, whereas National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali, the founding father of Pakistan, in Urdu, Bengali and English, as well as few couplets of Allama Iaqbal are inscribed.
The monument attracts visitors from all over Pakistan, as well as the inhabitants of Lahore. The large public space around the monument is commonly used for political and public meetings. Today, the minaret provides a panoramic view to visitors who can climb up the stairs or through an elevator. The Parks around the monument include marble fountains and an artificial lake.
Victory Monument:- The Victory Monument is situated on Phahonyothin road (Kilometer 0.0), Bangkok. Before building the monument, it was called “Intersection Sanam Pao” After being built, the area become the roundabout linking three main roads which are Phahonyothin road, Ratchawithi road and Phayathai road. It was constructed in 1941 in order to praise the heroic actions of soldiers, policemen and civilians who sacrificed their lives in the dispute between Thailand and France on the demarcation between Thailand and other Indochinese nations. The foundation stone laying Pholphayuhasena and it was inaugurated on 24 June 1942 by Field Marshal Pleak Pibulsongkram.
M.L Pum Malakul was the architect of the Victory Monument. He designed this monument pursuing 5 inspiration; as follows:
- joint actions of the 4 armies,
- courage of every personnel soldier, policemen and civilian,
- weapons that the military used to fight,
- Important incidents that caused both parties to open the fight, and
- public attention.
Architecture:- Every soldier is usually armed with bayonet so the architectg uses 5 bayonets to stand together in the pattern of carambola petal, pointing the sword up to the sky and turning the sharp edge outwards. The monument is built of reinforced concrete decorated with marble. The 50-meter-high bayonet above the monument hall’s ceiling was used to be the storage of ashes of persons who died in the dispute between Thailand and France on the demarcation between Thailand and other Indochinese nations.
The exterior at the base of bayonet has the coppered sculptures of the officers from the 5 assemblies- the Army, the Navel, the Air Force, the Police and the Civilians. These sculptures are two times oversized the normal warriors. Prof. Silp Bhirasri commanded the sculptor team which comprised of his students.
Outer wall of the hall is the copper plate inscribed with 801 names of the persons who sacrificed their lives in this dispute, including who died in service of the country from many wars during 1940-1954.
Importance:- Apart from being a very important monument in remembrance of the people who sacrificed lives for the country, the Victory Monument has the importance as the starting point of Phahonyothin road and the center of transportation; namely bus, BTS sky train, van express service that link people to many areas all over Bangkok and upcountry. Therefore, it is currently one of the most important transportation hubs of Bangkok. Moreover, it is an important landmark near public hospitals, shopping mall, and express way.
On the 6th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Thailand, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on December 13, 2011.