The original campus located at Hua Mak in the city, and the new campus at Suvarnabhumi, some thirty minutes from the South of the city campus and twenty minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport on the way to the Eastern Seaboard. The original campus is a compact, vertical campus comprised of 17 buildings with the tallest having a total of 16 floors. A small lake surrounded by lush gardens and seating is a focal point of beauty and tranquility. Food, convenience, and service shops to support student needs surround the campus. This will become the home of the postgraduate faculties.
At the base of the sculpture is the name of Assumption University in Thai. Messages are carved at the bottom of each gate’s column.
On the left says:
DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF BROS. MARTIN, SIMEON, LEO, AND CYRIL, THIS ARCH WAS ERECTED TO COMMENMORATE THE 60TH BIRTHDAY IN 1987 OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING AND THE 1986 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PEACE.
THE THAI INSCRIPTION “อัสสัมชัญ” ON THE ARCH SIGNIFIES AN ABODE FO ABIDING KNOWLEDGE”
F. HILAIRE
On the right, it says:
IN COMMENORATION OF THE VISIT TO ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN, ON NOVEMBER 7, 1990.
ON THIS DAY THE PRINCESS DECLEARED OPEN “CORONATION HALL MCMLXXXIX” IN HONOUR OF THE LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH IN THAI HISTORY, HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ.”
Gate of Wisdom
This triumphal arch is akin to the university’s gate of wisdom. It symbolizes the gateway leading to Assumption University, a magnificent place full of treasure of knowledge and blazing light of guidance. Those who walk past this gate are the ones determining to be adorned with intelligence and abilities useful for their future career path, creating prosperity for themselves as well as the nation.
General features
The top front of the gate is decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures designed to display the evolution of human beings, starting from the time when they were just a caveman, being uneducated to the era of civilization. During the change, education, which was first introduced by priests, played an important role in enhancing quality of human life. As a result, some became scholars, some inventors, while others made the society prosper both at the national and international level.
The sculpture of Archangel Gabriel is situated at the top back of the gate, blessing everyone at the university. Messages are carved on both sides of the column:
‘YOU ARE THE SALT
OF THE EARTH…
MT V 13
“ท่านคือเกลือของแผ่นดิน
YOU ARE THE LIGHT
OF THE WORLD…’
MT V 14
ท่านคือแสงสว่างส่องโลก”
These two verses imply that all ABAC affiliates must always maintain their act of kindness and performance of good deeds, becoming the light in the dark, the wisdom among the ignorant, thus forging peace and unity in the society.
Beneath the sculpture is the name of ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY while messages are also carved at the base of both columns.
The purposes of the construction are:
1. To reminisce the royal grace and legacies of His Majesty the King Bhumibhol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 5th cycle birthday celebration on 5 December 1987, becoming the longest reigning monarch in the history;
2. To commemorate the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presiding over the opening ceremony of the CORONATION HALL MCMLXXXIX at Assumption University
on 7 November 1990;
3. To remind all ABAC affiliates of the importance of inquisitiveness, patience, and effort to learn which will guide them to their achievement in the future.
Construction
The gate was constructed in the year 1990.
The message on the left says:
“His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej is a monarch who has been respected for his grace and benevolence throughout the Kingdom and beyond. His admirable manner, wisdom, and sincerity are evident in all his activities while his adherence to 10 royal virtues and goodness reiterated his perfect leadership as a king.
In Remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, ABAC students, faculty members and staff have organized a ceremony to celebrate the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 60th birthday anniversary in December 1987.”
On the right side, the message says:
“The Saint Gabriel Foundation Thailand, which had been offering basic education in Thailand for a decade, began facilitating an autonomous higher education institution in 1969 under the name of ASSUMPTION SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (ASB). In 1972, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, it was officially established as ASSUMPTION BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COLLEGE OR ABAC. It was accredited by the Ministry of University Affairs and the Civil Service Commission in 1975 and later by The U.S. Veterans Administration in 1980.
ABAC furthered its development and fulfilled the mission of the institution via effective teaching, research, academic services, and arts and cultural preservation. It was, then, granted new status as ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY on 22 May 1990.”
Tower of David
The Clock Tower, also known as “TOWER OF DAVID”, is a large clock tower located between the Assumption 1981 AD. Building and the St. Philip and Bernard at the end of the street.
Explore the Tower
It is a large square-shaped clock tower. There is a large water tank in the clock tower at the base of the underground. Moreover, a massively huge water tank is on the second and third floors. You can also discover a room on the first floor for collecting exclusive mementos from institutions and organizations donated to Assumption University.
Purposes of Construction
1. It is the clock tower to display the current time to teachers, students, staff and personnel from various departments of the university as well as outsiders.
2. It is used as a storage for special awards, recognitions and mementos from institutions and organizations given to the university and executives to honor and commemorate on various occasions.
3. It is to store water for use in times of shortage.
Construction Timeline
The clock tower was built in 1990.
St. Marie’s Square
St. Marie’s Square is in front of St. Philip & Bernard Hall (P Building).
General Characteristics
St. Marie’s Square is an area where a tall pillar monument stands. At the top of monument is the sculpture figure of St. Marie standing on the earth’s globe. The monument has a square base. Each side of the square base has the following inscriptions.
The St. Mary’s monument was consecrated by Father Miguel on September 7, 1983, and on the same day Brother Viriya Chantavarodom, Provincial Superior, presided over the opening ceremony of St. Marie’s Square.
1st Side: The Thai inscription (translated into English) states:
2nd Side: The Thai inscription say:
3rd Side: The English inscription says:
4th Side: An inscription in English says:
St. Marie’s Square
St. Marie’s Square
Purposes of Construction
(1) To commemorate grace and mercy of Our Lady who is merciful to humans and animals in the world.
(2) To commemorate the Holy Year of Redemption, in 1983, which is the year of remission of sins among Catholics.
(3) To commemorate King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, the King of Thailand in the Sukhothai period, who invented Thai alphabets in 1826, and, as well, to commemorate the year 1983 which was the year to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Thai alphabets, “Tai Sue”.
Construction
Built in 1983
Dr. Choop Plaza
A venue for activities and recreation of instructors, students and staff of the university, Dr. Choop Plaza was built in 1982 as a memorial to Professor Dr. Choop Kanchanapakorn, a former rector (which was called “director” at that time), the 3rd one of Assumption University.
Sala Pratipalai
Sala Pratipalai was erected in 1989 on the University Campus. Set on the edge of the lake which adorns the grounds of the University, it is directly opposite the Coronation Hall building which is already a famous landmark in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok.
The Sala is in the Thai architectural style called the “Jaturamuk” it has, as the etymology of the Thai word implies, four entrances or four fronts. The northern and southern exposures are identical as are the western and eastern exposures. The design imitates the architectural features of the Royal Pavilion in Ayudthaya, minus the crown or canopy of the Royal Pavilion.
The literal translation of Pratipalai is “Dwelling Place of Light”. This is an appropriate name for the Sala as the design creates an atmosphere of peach and harmony and provides an aesthetic inspiration conducive to study and contemplation.