Phra Chulachomklao Fort
Phra Chulachomklao Fort is an important historical
fort that is worth visiting because it represents a sagacious perception
of King Rama V. He prepared and constructed this fort as a stronghold
against forces especially European nations who were hunger for colonies.
This fort was once used to fight against French warships.
Phra Chulachomklao fort is situated at the estuary of Chao Pra
Ya river, locality of Laem Fha Pa, Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakarn
province where is not far from Bangkok. Travelling on Thonburi side
uses Suksawat road (National road number 303). Phra Chulachomklao
fort is about seven kilometres from Samut Chedi junction. The fort
is open for public with free entry. You only need to make your request
to the naval guards at the entrance, exchange your ID a for visitor
card then you can drive through to visit the fort. Optional transportation
is public bus no. 20, which will stop right at the fort.
The history of Phra chulachomklao fort.
King Rama V (King Chulachomklao) ascended the throne and, then,
he was concerned that the existing forts were too old and incapable
to protect the kingdom. At the mean time, European nations were
trying to colonize countries in East Asia. Neighbouring countries
of Thailand; Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Singapore, Malaysia;
were all colonized. So there was a tendency that they also intended
to occupy Thailand. When seemly bad situation occurred, King Rama
V had a royal comand to urgently build a new fort at the estuary
of Chao Pra Ya river. The construction commenced in 1884 and completed
in 1893. The fort was then named “Phra Chulachomklao fort” as he
wished to give two royal names for the fort. The paragraph below
is an abstract from the King’s written letter to his ministers.
“ It has been an ambition over the past nine years and one month
that I wish to name the newly built fort; Chulalonkorn or Chulachomklao;
as any other forts that have been named after their Kings, for example,
Fort Williams in Calcutta. And since this construction has been
under royal financial support, it is meant to have such names. If
you all agree with this intention, may you please select one of
the two aforementioned names for the fort and bring the fort a cheerfulness
and future extensive reputation.”
The ministers agreed to choose “Chulachomklao” to be a name for
the new fort. The king Rama V came to officially open the fort on
April 10th, 1893 (Bangkok year 112) and he tested the gun firing
himself.
When we arrived Phra Chulachomklao fort, the first important thing
that attracts us is the royal Monument of King Rama V. This monument
is majestically standing in front of the fort and it is the centre
of this area that is surrounded by various types of trees. The monument
was built in 1993. It has total height of 17.50 metres. The King’s
image is 4.2 m tall, 2.5 times the king’s actual size, majestically
dressed in the naval supreme commander uniform. On October 23rd
every year, there is a ceremony, which Royal Thai Navy lay wreath
for the memorial of the great king.
At the back of the monument, there is a Phra Chulachomklao exhibition
room. At the fort entrance, there is a stone inscription, considered
as a symbol of this place, which says;
“In April 1893 (Bangkok year 112), King Rama V was here to observe
the construction of the fort at Laem fah Pa locality. He saw a lot
of works had to be completed in order to make this fort capable
to protect the capital. He, therefore, provided his royal financial
support to urgently carry out all remained works. This completed
fort was then name after the king, Chulachomklao Fort”, in Bangkok
year 112”.
The fort’s interior was designed as a western style that was then
popular and most updated. The corridor is small and narrow. The
ceiling is 2 m high and in tortoise shape i.e. curvy down to both
sides. There are numbers of small rooms for storing ammunition and
war equipment. But, at present, there are left unattended to be
dark, stuffy, humid and scary to get in. There are small vent holes
on the wall. Important event in the past is that the fort was flooded.
Water level was about 30-40 cm. This is noticeable since there is
a distinct colour on the wall that evidentially represents the level
of water during the flood.
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