Sanam Laung สนามหลวง This huge public ground is in front of the Grand Palace. Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May and the New Year Festival also take place here. At the northern part of Sanam Laung, opposite the Royal Hotel is a small statue placed in small white pavilion. The Goddess of the Earth was built during King Chulalongkorn's reign to provide public drinking water.