Phra Sumen Fort, Bangkok

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Phra Sumeru Fortress
Located on Phra Athit Road.


Information
Name: Phra Sumeru Fortress
Theme: Monument, a small park, view to Chao Praya river and a castle
Close to: Chao Praya River
Location: Chao Praya river
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Attractions and places of interest in Bangkok
Last Visit: September 2007


My Photos
First Photo: Phra Sumeru Fortress
Second photo: Phra Sumeru Fortress
Third photo: Phra Sumeru Fortress
Forth photo: Phra Sumeru Fortress
Fifth photo: Phra Sumeru Fortress

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One of the two remaining forts in old Bangkok, Phra Sumen Fort was constructed in 1783 to fortify the old city during the reign of King Rama I. When Bangkok was established as the new capital, forts were built to cover the Chao Phraya River. The defensive rings of canals protected the old city to the east.

The fort is situated at the confluence of the Chao Phraya River and the Banglamphu Canal which was the second ring of canals to be built around the old city of Bangkok in 1782. The fort has two levels of battlements where cannons are deployed plus an observation tower. It covers the bend of the Chao Phraya River at the northern end of Rattanakosin Island. The old cannons are still in place. It sits in a nice little park called Santichaiprakan Park (see next tip).

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This Fort is one of two remaining in Old Bangkok. There used to be 14 Forts. During the reign of King Rama 1, these Forts were built as a defence against the approaching Burmese. The Burmese had already burnt the former capital "Ayutthaya" and they didn't want it to happen again. Next to it is Banglamphoo Canal. Canals were built as a defensive to protect the old city and were built in 1782, the Fort in 1783. The Fort has two levels, one being a lookout tower, and the other where the Cannons are, they are still there for you to see.

Phra Sumen Fort is one of two forts that have survived to give us abit of a glimse of what is still left of "old Siam".You can still see the white washed hexagonal -shape concrete fort ,cannons and part of the broken wall ;which was built in the reign of King Rama I in1783.
The fort is next to Santchaiprakan Park overlooking the Chao Phraya River not far from Phra Artit pier and Khaosan Road. If you get a chance Phra Sumen fort looks very good lit up at night.

This fort was part of a series of fortress (13 forts) built during the kingdom fo Rama I to protect the city, the fort has two levels for battlements (were cannons were placed) and an observation tower. After the latest renovation a museum was open on the top floor to house the items found inside the fort.

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If you happen to stay in Khao san Rd. here this place you can come for relaxing. At Phra Athit Rd, there's a nice park with nice Thai Parvillion and Phra Sumeru Fort located. It's the largest existing fortress of all 14 which now only two exist, built in the reign of King Rama I. Nearby, is a public park call Suan Santichaiparkran provide great view of The Chao Phraya river. You can visit there for relaxing in nice relaxing atmosphere, watching sunset over the river, nice scene of the newest bridge RAMA VIII and take a look at some activities of visitors there. All around the area along Phra Athit Rd. there's many nice small restuarants, decorated in style, very relaxing area.

Phra Sumen Fort is the hexagonal-shape concrete fort built in 1783 during the reign of King Rama I. Originally the city was moated and walled with 14 forts at intervals along it. The fort has two levels of battlements where cannons are deployed and an observation tower. The old cannons are still in place.

A well-kept park, the Santichaiprakarn Park, lies between Fort Phra Sumen and the river making it a pleasant area to spend the day by the river. One can have a panoramic view of the riverfront and watch river life go by. Sometimes in the evening there are free aerobic classes taking place as

Everyday at 6:00 PM. There's free aerobic dance exercise class here. Music will be too loud (and those tracks they pick are just awful) but it's fun to see bunch of people excersing and dancing! come on!

And some other activities can be seen here as well. Including Brazilian Martial Art Capoeira group. Come to stretch out their moves every evening (as long as it's not raining), Thai classical music & Jazz Band who come whenever they feel like (?) , Jugglers, and family picnic :-)

If you have free evening. Here is another place to chill out spending easy day.

A lot of forts were build along the Chao Praya River but most of them were destroyed or broken down during the centuries but this one is still standing and even the canons are still in place.

In the middle of the 18th century the Phra Sumane Fort was one of 14 forts around Bangkok defending the city borders. Today only two fort remains, and the hexagonal shaped Phra Sumane Fort is the best preserved.