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The Vichaiprasit Fort
Formerly named Vichayendra of Bangkok Fort, the Vichaiprasit Fort was built during the reign of King Narai the Great.
Chao Phraya Vichayendra suggested that the fort should be constructed at the same time as the other one on the eastern bank of the
Chao Phraya River in the area between Phra Chetuphon temple and Pak Klong Talad. Then a large chain would be laid down
from one side of the river to the other to obstruct enemies arriving by sea. The King agreed to the suggestions and had Chao Phraya Vichayendra
supervised the construction from 1656 until its completion in 1688. The laying of the great chain was mentioned in the Makkasan uprising during the reign of King Narai.
During the reign of King Bhet Raja, a war was started with the French as the Thais wanted to drive them from the country. During the war the fort on the eastern bank
was so badly damaged that the king had it demolished. When H.M. King Taksin liberated the country and made Thonburi his capital, he built the royal palace within the
compound of Vichayendra Fort. He had the fort repaired in 1771 and renamed it Fort Vichaiprasit.
Constructed of brick and mortar, the fort was built in an octagonal shape surrounded by two parallel walls. Two round towers were built on the north and south inner wall.
In 1900, H.M. King Rama V bestowerd the fort to the Navy,
under whose care it still remains. It is unknown when the Navy added the 12 Rama I era cannons. In the same area, on the eastern wall,
four more cannons were added and are used for ceromonial salutes. The Chao Por Nu Shirne is to the south, and the flags of the Naval
Commander in Chief and the Royal Thai Navy fly at the western entrance of the fort.
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