I went on the big bike to the Army base where the statues are.
But lets back up a bit. I took the big bike to Club Moto to order some accessories. While I was there, a very serious older Thai man dressed in a REAL army uniform, full combat fatigues with boots, pulled up on his motorcycle. I looked at his rank and he had one star on his collar. He looked pissed off. It turns out he had a very serious issue with his bike which I will not go into here. Just remember not to assume anything about any work you get done in Thailand.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Anyway, he had the same bike I do, only a few years older. I say this because my bike is not cheap by Thai standards so I am thinking this man has some cash like a high ranking Army man would. My girlfriend asked him how we can see the statues. He told her what to do. So we are now on our way.
He told us to go to the entrance just north of the new entrance that is under construction. This is on the West side of the highway going North just past the gas station (which is in the East side)
We pulled into the Army base and stopped at the gate. The guards took our ID cards and gave us passes. We got our ID's back when we left. We drove about 500 yards due West from the highway.
I did not take any photos of the base itself. We made a left turn and about 100 yards later we arrived at the construction site.
We got off the bike, and walked a short distance to the bluff over looking the site. There were two statues already in place. For scale, if you look at the photos the building behind the statues is slightly higher than two stories. The statues look very impressive. Sorry I only had my celphone camera so no zoom.
About five minutes later, I look back over my shoulder and see a group of Thai Army officers walking straight towards me. I am thinking, sh*t, somebody figured out we should not be here. Water boarding time.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
The leader of this group was a three star general, who thought we were maybe a TV crew from Bangkok. He saw my girlfriend and thought she was the reporter and that I was some sort of VIP.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
He was super friendly and asked me where I was from. I said "USA" He said "Oh, USA good. You look like military man" (I think that was a complement) The general said all the construction is being done by the military. The park is going to be huge and I am sure there will be many tourists coming to the park.
After about 15 minutes of my girlfriend translating it was time to go.
The Thai military could not have been nicer.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Here are some photos of the statues. I am about 100 yards back from the statues at the nearest point. The other photos are of the entrance. Really huge driveway leading from the highway.