Chop-Chop Square Udon

I stopped in Somsak's Pharmacy on Srisuk Rd yesterday for some medication. He's one of the more colorful businessmen in Udon....and there are times he really likes to talk. Yesterday was one.....after I asked him a historical question about Udon. According to him, he helped interview Udon's eldest citizens for the 100year anniversary of the city in the 1990's. A history of Udon was subsequently published, in both Thai and English (in one book).
One of the more interesting things he mentioned was the city's chop chop square......where public beheadings were done. Although the land is now in a lucrative area, it's vacant.....no one wants to build on it for fear of disturbing the spirits.
The vacant is on the corner of Tetsa Rd (ถนนเทศา) and Phonpisai Rd (ถนนโพนพิสัย), just up the road from the fire station at Nongprajak (grid J6). I passed by later in the afternoon and took a photo.......the sign says "No Public Beheadings".......ehr, well, actually it says, "No Advertising Allowed".
The penal code was changed in 1932 abolishing beheadings.
I wonder how long the land will remain vacant!

Thanks for the 'heads-up' John, that's very interesting! I always wondered why that premium piece of land was standing vacant, I thought the owner was probably holding on to it to sell at a high price later on. No doubt with it's history it will be standing vacant for many years to come.

A history of Udon was subsequently published, in both Thai and English

Do you have a copy of the book? I would be interested to have a read.

Somsak is trying to get a copy of the book for me. I'll let you know if he uncovers one.