Phra Chulachomklao Fort in 2015, west bank of the Chao Phray on Suksawat road, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan 10290, Thailand.

            Phra Chulachomklao Fort is a historical attraction of Samut Prakan Province ( 29 km south of Bangkok ). It is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River on Suksawat road. The fort is worth visiting as you will get to know another aspect of Thailand besides its cultural and architectural facets. 
Background of the Fort
After King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn, 1868-1910) ascended the throne, he realized that Thailand was at risk from falling prey to European nations hunting for colonies at that time because neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Cambodia were all colonized. He, then commanded to restore existing forts and to build a brand new one at the estuary of the Chao Phraya River. The new fort construction began in 1884 and was completed in 1893. King Rama V bestowed his name to the fort as Phra Chulachomklao Fort. Chulachomklao is the official title that the Thai’s call King Rama V.
Things to see
Phra Chulachomklao Fort features seven cannons which were once state of the art products. Normally, the cannons are hidden in their holes. They are hauled up by the hydro-pneumatics system at the moment of aiming and were lowered to their base after the shot. That is why they are called Disappearing Carriage or Disappearing Guns in English and Puen Sua Mop in Thai, meaning crouching tiger guns. 
The cannons were officially fired for the first time in the Rattanakosin Era Year 112 Incident" to protect Thailand's sovereignty from the French invasion. The event occurred at dusk on 13 July 1893, barely one month after the Chulachomklao Fort was completed. During the engagement, the Disappearing Guns joined six Royal Thai Navy ships in bombarding the French ships Inconstant and Comete that were attempting to sail up the Chao Phraya River to join the gunship Lutin that was already moored in Bangkok. 
Even though the Jean Baptiste Say, a merchant ship acting as their pilot ship was stranded at Lamphurai and both sides suffered casualties, this defence of the Royal Thai Navy was unsuccessful because of darkness and the inferior military might. In the wake of that incident, Thailand lost the territory on the right bank of the Mekong River, namely Srisophon, Siemrap and Battambong to France. After the Rattanakosin Era Year 112 Incident" the cannons were never officially fired again up to their decommissioning in 1933. They were neglected and quickly fell into disrepair. In 1991, the guns were cleaned and restored when the Chulachomklao Fort was renovated to prepare for the construction of a statue of King Chulalongkorn. Then, on 12 August 2003, they were fired to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the statue establishment. 
The HTMS Mae Klong
Under the statue, there stands an air-conditioned museum exhibiting the military conflict with France. Also on display is the HTMS Mae Klong, an old warship of the Royal Thai Navy preserved as an open-air museum. HTMS Mae Klong was commissioned in 1937. She had been deployed in several missions such as taking part in World War II. The ship also served as a training ship for naval cadets and technical navy students.
She was in service for 59 years, including the prestigious duty as a royal ship for King Rama VIII and King Rama IX (His Majesty King Bhumibol, the present King). The ship was decommissioned in 1996.
Opening hours: daily 08:00-18:00 hrs. Admission: free
If you need a guide, a request must be made to the fort in advance.
For more information, please contact the fort, Tel: +66 (0) 2475 6109 or + 66 (0) 2475 6259
Samut Prakan was built to help defend Bangkok from invaders. The name of the city means city wall. In the old days there used to be many forts and guns on both sides of the river. Now, not many of them are left. The biggest fort left is Chulachomklao Fort by the river mouth. In 1893, the guns were fired here for the first and last time against French ships
Phra Chulachonklao ( Rama V ). An important King in Thailand, he freed all the slaves and he built this fort. Mae Klong Ship, the important ship of Thailand. Guns under the ground for fighting with enemy who come here. There are a lot of guns here, all of it still in use. The guns come up quickly, fire and then go back down. I am standing nearby the big gun in the big hole under the ground. They were used only once in anger. In 1893 they fired on three French ships in the Chao Phraya River. One ship was sunk. Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress is located at the mouth of Chao Phraya River, Tambon Laem Fa Pha. Access there by using the Suksawat rd. from the Phra Samut Chedi intersection. The fortress' compound houses a standing monument of King Rama V, which is located in the front of the fortress. Pom Phra Chulachomklao is a modern fortress and has an important role in protecting the sovereignty of 
Thailand during 1893 against unfriendly forces. During the reign of King Rama V, there was a period during which England and France were hunting for colonies. All neighbouring countries around Thailand were colonised by England and France. This was indeed a grave situation endangering Thailand so he sought ways to protect the country. Particularly, protection of the water of Thailand, he 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.
   

Taken on: May 6, 2018

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