Phra Sumen Fort Bangkok - The Most Prominent Fortifications Built in 17th Century.

 

The most prominent Phra Sumen Fort located near the Chao Phraya River in the Banglamphu district Bangkok. It is one of the few remaining parts of the fortifications which were built when Bangkok first became the capital city of Thailand. The Burmese had completely destroyed the old capital of Ayutthaya in 1767 so the King Rama I had a number of fortifications built and canals dug to protect the new capital. In subsequent years the old city fortifications were no longer needed and gradually fell into disrepair or were demolished as Bangkok modernised. Fortunately, Phra Sumen Fort escaped being knocked down and major renovation work was carried out at the old citadel to keep alive a link to the Thai capital’s past. Phra Sumen Fort was renovated by the Thai Fine Arts Department in 1982 to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the founding of Bangkok and a museum was added the top floor.

 

 

The octagonal white structure of Phra Sumen fort is three floors high and contains the rooms where weapons and ammunition were once stored. Cannons were deployed over two levels and the still stand guard over the city. There is an observation tower on the top level overlooking the river, the park and the city. Another feature of the fort is that its design and even it name incorporates Buddhist religious symbolism. Phra Sumen is the Thai name for Mount Meru, which in Hindu cosmology is the mountain in the centre of the universe where the Gods reside. Another religious related feature of the fort are its curiously shaped upper battlements which are pointed on top. This shape is the same as the sema stones which are placed around ordination halls in Buddhist temples in Thailand.

 

 

In 1999 a plot of land next to Phra Sumen Fort was cleared and converted into a public park. Santi Chai Prakan Park isn’t particularly big, but with plenty of greenery and views of the Chao Phraya River it’s a pleasant spot to sit down and unwind. Visit in the early evening and you may well see an aerobics class whilst at the weekends the park is a popular venue for local families. Proximity to the nearby budget hotels and guest-houses in and around Khao San Road combined with a convenient location adjacent to the river pier at Banglampu means the park also attracts an eclectic mix of international visitors. The fort is open to the public from 05am - 10pm daily.