Odeon Circle

Odeon Circle or Wongwian Odeon (Thai: วงเวียนโอเดียน, pronounced [wōŋ.wīa̯n ʔōː.dîa̯n]; Chinese: 崇聖牌樓; pinyin: Chóng shèng páilóu) is a roundabout (traffic circle) in Bangkok, it's the intersection of Yaowarat, Charoen Krung, and Tri Mit or Mittaphap Thai-China roads in Samphanthawong sub-district, Samphanthawong district. In the circle, There's a red huge Chinese architecture gate (Paifang; 牌坊) which was built by Thai Chinese descent as a part of the celebrations of King Bhumibol’s 72nd anniversary in 1999. It's known as a gateway of Bangkok's Chinatown which Yaowarat as a main artery.

Odeon Circle and Chinese gate.

The name "Odeon" originated a movie theatre was a located here in the past named "Odeon", it was demolished in the late 1980s.[1]. At the centre of the roundabout in the pre–1999 it was a fountain. Until 1999, Thai Chinese joined together to build Chinese gate. The top of the gate is inscribed in both Thai and Chinese letters on both sides, which means that "Gate of Commemorates the 6th Cycle Anniversary of HM the King's Birthday". It was officially opened in 1999 by Princess Sirindhorn presiding over the ceremony.

On the ground floor of the roundabout. There's a brass plate with a Chinese inscription (地; de) that translates to "earth" or "soil" and at the same point. At the top there's another Chinese inscription (天; tiān) means "heaven" or "sky". According to the belief of the Chinese. If anyone is standing at this point, that person will be given the cosmic powers according to faith in Feng Shui.

Around the circle, there are two lion statues making from white jade which was sent from government of China as a part of the celebrations of King Bhumibol’s 80th anniversary in 2007. The male lion puts his foot on the ball, while the lioness puts her foot on the cub. Besides, there's a rabbit statue making from white jade which was sent from government of China in 2011 as a part of the celebrations of King Bhumibol’s 84th anniversary. Because he was born in the year of the Rabbit.[2]

Odeon Circle was dubbed the "Dragon's Head" because it was the beginning of Yaowarat, which it was called "Dragon Road"[3]. It's one of the landmarks of Bangkok's Chinatown and also a seal of Samphanthawong district office.[4]