You can walk past the monument or drive on the streets around the monument. There are many people nearby waiting for trains at the train station. In addition, many public buses and vans stop here to pick up passengers to the suburbs of the city and nearby towns. Also come here for photos at night when the monument is lit up, built in 1941 to commemorate Thailand's victory in the Franco-Thai War (though historians dispute the extent to which this is indeed a victory for Thailand). Most Thais prefer the monument to democracy because it was built in that era without being influenced by military fascism. Nevertheless, it is a rather impressive obelisk, preferably viewed in dim light. Around the monument is a very busy roundabout, a market, perhaps most famously the Boat Noodle Lane. There are several restaurants serving typical Thai specialties including broth, pig blood, meat, vegetables and some herbs. While the ingredient "pig blood" may not be very appealing to some Westerners, it's a very tasty meal that you must try when you're in the area.