Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is a top touristic city with lively streets. Its residents are diverse with cultures and faiths that easily blend to make it one of the most culturally diverse cities. A phenomenon that has made tourism, one of the activities that make the city so popular, to the rest of the world. Some of the city’s richest sites are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Phra Sumen fort and museums like Art in Paradise. This article aims to explore Phra Sumen fort in Bangkok, provide a brief history and mention some of the things seen when visiting.
Phra Sumen- the old guard of Rattanakosin
Phra Sumen, peacefully set in Santi Chai Prakan, is one of the still-standing monuments that has survived multiple changes and growth in Thai culture. Phra Sumen is a white tower named after mount Meru in Hindu and is the only one of the historical 14 towers standing today.
History of Phra Sumen
The fort Phra Sumen was built in 1767 during the reign of King Rama. It was at a time when the Burmese had destroyed the old capital, and the king wanted Bangkok to be the new one. The intent was protecting the new capital from external attacks. The king also dug canals and strategically located the forts near river Chao Phraya where they were secured.
What you see when visiting at Phra Sumen
Phra Sumen is a white structure, octagonal and is made up of three floors. The rooms were made high to store weapons that were used for defense. An observation tower was also included at the top to create a better view of the river and the city. The fort also has a museum that displays all the items that were found in the structure during the renovation.
Phra Sumen is among the most popular sites in Bangkok that attract tourists in Asia. It is a beautiful structure that commands attention and reminds the people of their civilization. As much as it was built to provide safety during the war, today it serves as a popular tourist site and earns the government revenue.
By Supanut Arunoprayote – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49053780
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