Naval Gazing

A day in Samut Prakan will give you a chance to catch up on the history of the Royal Thai Navy

Guns, a submarine, torpedoes, a seaplane and a tank are just some of the exhibits at the Naval Museum in Samut Prakan. The museum offers a unique insight into the long and colourful history of the Royal Thai Navy.

On Sukhumvit Road, opposite the sprawling Royal Thai Navy Academy, the museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and memorabilia, from weapons and models of ancient warships to remnants of royal barges.

In 1891, the first telephone service was introduced, connecting the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok with Phra Chulachomklao Fortress in Samut Prakan. The telephone highly improved communication between Bangkok and this strategic fort, enabling instant reports to be sent by naval personnel of hostile foreign activities on the Chao Phraya.

After the short briefing, we proceeded to the main entrance of the museum building. As one steps inside the narrow hallway, there is little indication of what is to come. The first few rooms are dedicated to King Taksin the Great and Prince Chumphon. Exhibits of their personal belongings, such as handwritten manuscripts, a pipe for smoking tobacco and a compass, are interspersed with modern paintings of King Taksin on horseback and old ships sailing on turbulent seas.

On the opposite side of the hall is a display of weaponry that gun enthusiasts will find truly mind-blowing. Exhibits include everything from rifles, handguns and cannon, to shells and edged weapons, some dating back to the Vietnam War. Also on display are a selection of mortars, along with machine-guns and naval shells. Some of the oldest weapons date back to the mid-1930s.

A display of various bayonets also receives a lot of attention from visitors. As photography is allowed, visitors can take photos of themselves with their favourite weapons.

On the ground floor of the adjoining building are exhibits on past naval battles, including torpedoes, the country's first lighthouse and royal barges dating back to the reign of King Rama V. One of the wooden barges boasts an artistically carved royal emblem.

In my thought, there are very attractive show that can related to the life in the past. It shows a lot of useful stuff, and all of these stuff has been told about their properties. That make a new generation know what was going on in the past and what were these weapon. They are giving the knowledge and they are very useful

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