The ancient site of Noen Wong Fortress

Noen Wong Fortress is an ancient military camp established in the reign of King Rama III who ordered Chao Phraya Phra Klang to have it built on 9 January 2377 B.E. The laterite and bricks of the wall from Chanthaburi town were dismantled and moved to construct this site for defensive purposes against the invading Vietnamese. Noen Wong Fortress’s wall is mounted orderly with over 10 large cannons. The Underwater Archaeological Office and the National Maritime Museum are located within the camp. The camp covers an area of over 270 rais surrounded by a 6-meter-high-wall, a fortress, a moat, and four doors based on four directions. There are also ancient cannons mounted orderly on the battlements. Formerly, the area was covered with overgrown grass and parts of the wall collapsed. Today, the wall and its fortress have been renovated.National Maritime MuseumLocated within Noen Wong Fortress, it is a museum that assembles and preserves the artifacts brought on land from the ancient junk sunk in the Gulf of Thailand. These artifacts are potteries including earthen jars and human and animal figurines which are Sangkhalok potteries from Srisachanalai kiln site and Noi River kiln site in Sing Buri province. Today, Fine Arts Department is renovating this museum to propose a national museum for Chanthaburi province to be included in the National Maritime Museum Project as a venue to study the social history, economy, natural sciences, cultural and traditional lifestyle from a local perspective as well as exhibiting evidences and history of Thai Maritime Commerce.National Maritime MuseumNoen Wong Fortress, Bang Ka Ja subdistrict, Mueang district, Chanthaburi 22000Tel. 039-391-431Fax 039-391-432Operating days and timesEvery Wednesdays-Sundays, 9.00 a.m.-16.00 p.m. Closing on Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays Yothanimit Temple (Wat Bot) is located within the wall of Chanthaburi town at Noen Wong Fortress in Bang Ka Ja subdistrict, Mueang Chanthaburi district. It was constructed in 2377 B.E. in the reign of King Rama III. Chao Phraya Phra Klang (Dis Bunnag) had it built as the town’s principle temple in the same period as Noen Wong Fortress. The temple’s wall was made of laterite. Within the wall there is a church, at the back of which lies a Langkawi round pagoda which is about 20 meters. There are also a sermon hall and a monk’s dwelling. Inside the church, there is a principal Buddha image. It is a plaster Buddha statue whose name is Luang Pho Yai and is revered by people.Noen Wong Zalacca Orchard has its origin from the clumps of zalacca cultivated on the land of Uthai Tunyachat, village headman of Noen Wong in Bang Ka Ja subdistrict, Mueang district. When Noen Wong Fortress was registered a historic place and the expropriation of the property ensued, Uthai Tunyachat then moved to grow the zalaccas on the land nearby and announced the selling of zalacca seedlings from sucker division method. It turned out that there were so many customers that there were not enough seedlings for everyone. Between 2525-2530 B.E., the clump of zalacca’s price proposed by customers was as high as 7,000 baht. Today, the clumps of zalacca and Noen Wong zalacca trees can still be purchased here.Driving DirectionsThe most distant way to travel from Bangkok to Chanthaburi is driving along the motorway, turning to the road no.334 at Ban Bung district and keep on driving. There are 4 entrances to the town center of Chanthaburi.The recommended direction to go to Noen Wong Fortress is taking the route that when driving from Bangkok to Rai Ya Intersection at about a kilometer stone no. 324, turning right to Rak Sak Chamul Road, and you will pass Rajabhat Institute in Chanthaburi. Then, after continue driving straight ahead, you will pass Taksin Maharaj Park where there is a large pond surrounding a hill on which lies the Taksin equestrian monument. After passing the park to the end of the intersection, you have to turn right (turning left will take you to the fresh-food market) to Ban Tha Chalaep (look at the kilometer stone). After continue driving a bit, you will find King Taksin The Great Shipyard which is being operated. Upon driving pass the interjection and the shipyard, an interjection to the right side no. 3147 (the road to Tha Mai) will be found. Then, turn right to that road no. 3147 for about 400 meters and you will find Noen Wong Fortress on the right hand side. You can drive through the gate and park the car at the back or drive through and conveniently park it at the National Maritime Museum which is situated behind the fort so that you can visit the museum right after the fort.