Phra Sumen Fort

Phra Sumen Fort is a historic military structure with three stories and an octagonal shape standing near the Chao Phraya River. The fort features white walls and multiple observation posts that were originally designed for defensive purposes.

King Rama I ordered construction of this military structure in 1783 to protect Bangkok from potential Burmese invasions. It was part of a broader defense system created to secure the newly founded city.

The fort represents traditional Thai military design, combining local building techniques with European defensive principles from the 18th century. Visitors can observe this blend of oriental and western elements throughout the structure.

The fort is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM with no entrance fee, and the adjacent Santichaiprakarn Park offers riverside views. The park is worth exploring to find the best vantage points of the structure and surrounding waterways.

This structure is one of only two surviving forts from the original fourteen that protected Bangkok during the early Rattanakosin period. The fact that so many of these defensive structures disappeared makes this remnant a rare witness to that era.

Location: Chana Songkhram

GPS coordinates: 13.76398,100.49581

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40