Phra Sumen FortPhra Sumen Fort is one of only two survivors of the 14 forts that guarded the walls of King Rama I’s new capital, and the northernmost of them. The chunky octagonal bastion of whitewashed brick sits where the old city moat meets the Chao Phraya, at the corner of Phra Athit and Phra Sumen roads in Banglamphu, with a small roofed watchtower on top.
Around it, Santichaiprakan Park is one of the few places in the old city where you can sit on the grass beside the river. In the late afternoon it fills with joggers, tai chi and aerobics groups, jugglers, families and travellers from nearby Khao San Road waiting for the sun to drop over the water and the Rama VIII Bridge. The white pavilion in the park was built for King Bhumibol’s 60th birthday, and the lawns host concerts and festival events, including Loy Krathong and Songkran celebrations.
Nearby Attractions to Phra Sumen Fort#
Weather & Climate near Phra Sumen Fort#
Phra Sumen Fort's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1298 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 27° | 9 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 1.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.3h |
| February | Excellent | 23° - 33° | 30° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| March | Excellent | 25° - 34° | 32° | 32 mm | some cloud | 62% | 2.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 26° - 35° | 35° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 1.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 26° - 34° | 36° | 168 mm | overcast | 76% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 26° - 33° | 36° | 128 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 142 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.7h |
| August | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 176 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 34° | 287 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 234 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 32° | 31° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
| December | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 26° | 5 mm | some cloud | 71% | 1.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.2h |
How to Get to Phra Sumen Fort#
Phra Athit pier on the Chao Phraya Express Boat is a two-minute walk along the riverfront. From Khao San Road, walk west through Soi Rambuttri to Phra Athit Road, about 10 minutes.
History & Culture of Phra Sumen Fort#
Rama I’s walls of 1782 ran for about 7 km around Rattanakosin Island, with 14 forts and 63 gates. As Bangkok grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, almost all of them were pulled down for roads and buildings. Under King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), the Royal Society chose to keep two forts, Phra Sumen and Mahakan beside the Golden Mount, for their historical value. Phra Sumen’s tower had collapsed by then and was rebuilt in 1981 for the city’s bicentennial.
The grounds became a public park in 1999-2000. Its name, given by King Bhumibol, means roughly “fortress of victory for peace”. A lamphu tree in the park is a reminder of the trees that gave Banglamphu its name.