PHRA SUMEN FORT

Phra Sumen Fort was built in the reign of King Rama I. It was made from bricks coated with cement in octagon-shaped. Its front side faces towards Bang Lamphu canal. The basements of the fort and the wall are made to be wide flattened bases and are situated 2 metres under the ground. The size from the northern side to the southern side is 45 metres wide. Its heigh from ground to the top of Bai Sema(Battlements) is 10.50 metres, and 18.90 metres measured from the floor of the upper floor of the fort to the roof of the battle tower. It is a 3-storey Tower and has 3 staircases inside the Fort. Also it has earthwork and a shelter that protects the ammunition.

The ground floor of the fort is divided into 2 parts by a wall which having BAI SEMA of the sharp-point edge type, separating the ground floor's wall and the upper floor's wall. There is a door that opens to the front side of the fort, and there is another big angled BAI SEMA at the front of the fort of this floor. In each BAI SEMA, there are small bored cavities of the cross shape. As for the second floor of the fort, There is one staircase at the back. The wall also having BAI SEMA with a sharp-pointed shape, The Lower parts are bored cavities of the curved shape, There are 4 cavities in each side.
In the middle of the fort, There are 38 rooms for ammunition and weaponry storage. However, the 7 angle-shaped battle Tower and the roof were tumbled down during the reign of King Rama V and King Rama VII. In 1981 the fine arts department renovated the fort by using old Photos taken during the reign of King Rama V and registered it as a national monument in the year 1949.

Around Phra Sumen fort used to be the situation of sugar factory and a godown of Sri Maharacha co.,Ltd. Later, it was renovated and landscape adjustment in the area about 3.2 acres was done, it was completed in 1999, H.M.King Rama IX graciously named Santi Chai Prakan park, meaning the park with a fort that symbolized the victory of peacefulness. There are many interesting things in the area of this park, such as:

Santi Chai Prakan Mansion: It was built to celebrate on the occation of H.M.King Rama IX's sixth cycle Birthday. The mansion was built in Thai-style pavilion with the roof top of 4 front porches, all structure's components of the pavilion are wooden works. At the gable are graving patterns.

Lam Phu Tree(Duabanga Grandiflora): The last one that left in this area, and it is to be believed that its age is more than 100 years, with the assuming that the name of Bang Lamphu should be derived from the name of Lam Phu Tree.

Pho Si Maha Pho Tree(Pipal Tree): A large perennial Tree of 20-30 metres high. Its barks, young leaves, and fruits are useful for applying in medicines to cure some kind of disease.