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Unit 9 - Phra Chulachomklao Fort |
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Written by Richard Barrow
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From Phra Samut Chedi, Malee and Jane catch a bus to Phra Chulachomklao Fort. It takes them about 20 minutes to go there. The fort is at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. From here you can see the Gulf of Thailand.
| Jane: |
Can you tell me something about this fort? |
| Malee: |
Do you see that big statue over there? It is King Rama V. It was his idea to build this fort which was completed in 1893. Over there is H.T.M.S Maeklong. That is an old warship that was in use for 60 years. |
| Jane: |
Can we go on the ship? |
| Malee: |
Yes, we can explore the ship later. I am going to show you the big guns now. |
| Jane: |
This gun looks like it is new. Can they still fire it? |
| Malee: |
Yes, even though the seven guns are more than 100 years old, the navy looks after them very well. My teacher once showed me a picture of them being fired in 1998 for an anniversary. |
| Jane: |
I don’t understand how they can aim and fire. The guns are in a pit. |
| Malee: |
These are special guns called Armstrong Guns. Their nickname is “crouching tiger” as they stay hidden ready to pounce on their enemy. Do you see the handle over there? They have to turn the wheel, which raises the guns up. When it fires, the force of the explosion pushes the gun back into the pit. |
| Jane: |
That is very clever. It means that enemy warships won’t be able to see the guns. Did they ever have a battle here? |
| Malee: |
Yes, on the 13th of July 1893. They fired at two French warships that were going to Bangkok without permission. It was the first and last time these guns were fired in anger. |
| Jane: |
This is a really interesting park. It is good that it is also free. |
| Malee: |
Yes, I have been here twice with my family. I am getting hungry. Do you want to go and eat seafood at that restaurant over there? |
| Jane: |
Yes, I am starving too. Let’s go. |
| Malee: |
After we have eaten, I will go and show you the wild monkeys. |
| Jane: |
I have never seen wild monkeys before. That is so exciting! |
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VOCABULARY:
Phra Chulachomklao Fort = ป้อมพระจุลจอมเกล้า
completed = เสร็จ
H.T.M.S Maeklong = เรือหลวงแม่กลอง
warship = เรือรบ
anniversary = การฉลองครบรอบ
aim = เล็งเป้า
pit = หลุม
pounce = จู่โจมอย่างรวดเร็ว
handle = ที่จับ
force = ความรุนแรง
explosion = การจุดระเบิด
enemy = ศัตรู
battle = การสู้รบ
permission = ความยินยอม
 UNIT 8 |
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UNIT 10  |
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