Replica cannon bombed nine days after its installation
Nine days after the replica of Phraya Tani cannon was installed in Pattani to mixed reactions from the local Malay Muslims, an improvised explosive device believed planted beneath the cannon by insurgents exploded and tore it into two pieces. The concrete block on which the replica cannon was the emplaced was also badly shattered by the powerful blast.
The replica cannon was cast by artisans of the Fine Arts Department to be presented to the people of Pattani in place on the real one which they had asked for but was rejected by the government on the ground that it was a national property. It appeared that the decision to cast a replica of the 400-year old famous cannon was made without the consultation of the people concerned.
When the replica cannon arrived in Pattani from Nakhon Pathom on June 2, it was greeted with warm welcome by some and with disappointment from others.
Mrs Siravee Waloh, director of Pattani Tourism and Sports Office, said that the arrival of the replica cannon was a day of joy for Pattani people. "After being away from Pattani for more than 400 years, today it (the cannon) has come home although in the form of a replica which looks every inch like the real one. I believe this will be the real landmark and symbol of Pattani which will attract more tourists into town," she said.
Mr Waehamanavee Marormae, chairman of Tanyong Luloh tambon administration organization and representative of the Krue Se community, said that the replica cannon would enhance the historic significance of the venue where the Krue Se mosque is located.
But others were not enthusiastic or happy with the arrival of the replica cannon which they called a fake cannon. Some community radio stations aired the event and invited their audience to phone in to give their views about the cannon. Most of the opinions expressed were negative and could be summoned up into three viewpoints: the Thai state does not accept the fact that Phraya Tani cannon belong to Pattani; the Thai state is not sincere and sent a replica cannon instead of the real one which has been demanded by the local people and, lastly, keeping the real cannon by the Thai state amounts to recognition of being a colonialist.
Phraya Tani cannon is the largest cannon ever cast in this country, measuring nine feet long and made of brass. It has been placed on display in front of the Defence Ministry for many decades.
The cannon was believed to be cast in the early 17th century by a Chinese craftsman by the name of Tok Kayan. Then ruler of Sultanate of Pattani, Baja Biru, ordered the construction of the artillery in response to rumours of a forthcoming attack from Siam. Three cannons were cast – two siege guns known as Seri Patani or Phraya Tani and Seri Negara and a smaller one named Mahalela.
After the fall of Ayutthaya empire to the Burmese in 1767, the Sultanate of Pattani renounced its tributary status to Siam and declared its complete independence. Eighteen years later however a Thai army invaded and conquered Pattani. The Seri Patani and Seri Negara were ordered to be sent to Bangkok as spoils of war.
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Captions :
1 The powerful blast damaged the cannon.
2 The replica of Phraya Tani cannon before bomb blasted.