Samut Prakarn - Chulachomklao Fort

Chulachomklao Fort (Pom Phra Chulachomklao) played an important role in the history of Thailand. The fortress helped to protect the sovereignty of the country in 1893 when, during the reign of King Rama V, the British and French empires were looking to colonize countries in Asia. So, King Rama V sought different ways to protect his kingdom, and he got fortresses at river mouths renovated and re-equipped to fight any aggression. The king also got several foreign naval specialists as consultants to plan the development of the Thai navy and appointed a Dane to head these efforts

Today, the fortress is still in use as a Naval History Park and is home to the H.M.S. Mae Klong Battleship Museum. There is a magnificent monument of King Rama V located right next to H. M. S. Mae Klong.

In the fortress, you can see the guns that were used to fight the invading armies. There is an exhibition hall where you can see photographs relating to the battles (especially the conflicts with the French) and the development of the Royal Thai Navy. However, the Manhattan incident is not mentioned. 


The HMS Mae Klong Battleship (built in Japan) was - after serving for 60 years - decommissioned and turned into a museum. 

At the riverside restaurant, there is a small souvenir shop manned by students from the naval academy. You can also buy a cap indicating that you work for the Forensic Police. 


You can also take a walk along the path to observe nature and ecological preservation. You can visit the nearby mangrove to see egrets, sea gulls, mudskippers and many types of crabs.

Pom Phra Chulachomklao is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. but visitors have get "permission" to enter, which basically means that you have to leave your ID card with the guards at the entrance gate. There is no admission fee.