Phra Chulachomklao Fort
PLACE: PHRA CHULACHOMKLAO FORT (ป้อมพระจุลจอมเกล้า)
LOCATION: Laem Fapha sub-district in Phra Samut Chedi district
GPS Coordinates: 13.538183, 100.583383
OPENING HOURS: Open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
The Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress is situated at the mouth of Chao Phraya River, Tambon Laem Fa Pha. The fortress’ compound houses a magnificent standing monument of King Rama V, which is located in the front of the fortress. Chulachomklao Fortress is a modern fort and has played an important role in protecting the sovereignty of Thailand during 1893 against unfriendly forces. During King Rama Vs reign, there was a period during which England and France were hunting for colonies. All neighbouring countries around Thailand were colonised by England and France. The king commanded that the fortresses at the rivers mouth be renovated and re-equipped, and also hired a foreigner who was a naval specialist as a consultant for planning the development of the Thai navy.
The seven Armstrong guns only saw action that one time. However, they are still in good working order as they fired a seven gun salute to celebrate their 105th anniversary in 1998. The fort is now open to the public. Below a statue of King Rama V there is an interesting museum about the conflict with France. Also on show to the public is H.T.M.S. Maeklong, a warship commissioned from the Japanese shipyards, pre-World War II. The ship was in service for 60 years, including duty as a royal ship for King Rama IX. There is a gun park showing the history of guns and also an interesting mangrove forest walk.
Map for Phra Chulachomklao Fort:
GETTING THERE: The fort is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Laemfarpha, Phra Samut Chedi District, seven kilometres from Phra Samut Chedi on Sukswasdi Road. Although you can take bus number 20 to the end of the line, it is best to arrange your own transport from Phra Samut Chedi.
Tourist attractions in this area:
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Phra Samut Chedi district:
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Laem Pafah sub-district:
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Samut Prakan is divided into six districts: Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Bang Bo, Amphoe Bang Phli, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng, Amphoe Phra Samut Chedi and Amphoe Bang Sao Thong. Click on the links to see tourist attractions from each of those districts. Or click here to see a Map of Tourist Attractions in Samut Prakan Province.
Hi. Given the facts that the H.T.M.S. Maeklong was built by the Japanese at the Yokosuka base south of Tokyo in 1937 and then used in Thailand during World War II as a corvette, wasn’t it in fact a Japanese ship that Japan left in Thailand after its defeat, and that it then became a Thai ship?
It was accepted by the Thai Navy in September of 1937 and the next year ferried the king to Europe for studies. As far as I can tell neither it nor its sister ship, H.T.M.S Tachin were ever Japanese naval vessels. Tachin was scrapped in 1945 because of bomb damage while in service with the Thai Navy.
What do you mean when you say it was “accepted” by the Thai navy? Accepted from whom?
Thailand had a shipbuilding industry in the 1930s?
Those ships were built in Japan:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTMS_Maeklong
During World War II, when the Phibun regime was allied to the Axis powers, the ship was used to patrol the Thai coast. Since Thailand was then in cahoots with and under the foot of Japan, that ship was effectively a Japanese vessel, though it may officially have been a Thai navy boat.
Thanks for your reply.
Is the fort still open and are the open days/times correct? I want to visit in March and obviously dont want to get a taxi there just for it to be closed
Should be open as normal.
I can’t highly recommend it. I could find nothing even approximating a museum there. Thus, there’s no information in English about the 1893 Paknam Incident, and the fort near Paknam Chedi is more impressive. It’s called Phi Sua Samut Fort.
There is a museum about the Paknam Incident under the statue of King Rama V. It’s bilingual.
Thanks for the information.
I saw no sign when I was there indicating that there’s any museum. I did see one closed little building which appeared to have been some kind of information center.
Im especially going for the HTMS Maeklong, I don’t believe there is another surviving ship of her class.
Thanks for the help. Now to get answers about the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Museum in Nakhon Nayok (for the HTMS Tachin, unfortunately there is essentially no up to date information, hours or even if I can go in at all! It might be personnel only, who knows)
Sorry for writing a new reply. Is this still open? I know a lot of places in Asia have closed because of the virus spreading
Actually, as far as historic forts in the Bangkok and Samut Prakan areas go, Phi Sua Samut Fort is more impressive.
I have not heard of any such sites being closed in Thailand due to the Wuhan contagion.