A short walk through the old town, visiting the whitewashed Mahakhan Fort and the Statue of King Rama III

[Summary] In late April 2025, I took a 45-minute tour of Maha Khan Fort, located along Lang Luang Road in the old city of Bangkok, and the adjacent statue of King Rama III. Construction of this fort began in 1783 and is one of 14 forts protecting the royal palace, of which only two remain today. The contrast between the white walls and red roofs is striking, and the surrounding area is a lush mini-park that has been developed in recent years. The statue of the king is made of bronze and was cast in the 1890s, and even today, there is a constant stream of worshippers and marigold garlands around it. [Access] Take a taxi from BTS National Stadium Station for about 10 minutes (about 40 THB). If you take the bus, take route 47 to the stop in front of the fort. The park is open from 7:00–19:00, and admission is free. [Attractions] 📍The black iron cannon is a replica that was never used in combat, but it tells the defense philosophy of the time. The composition overlaps with the slits on the fort walls, creating a striking effect. 📍The information board has the history of construction written in both English and Japanese, explaining that the fort was the key to the defense network along the Chao Phraya River. 📍The statue of the king is 3.5m tall. The date engraved on the base is historical evidence of the third reign of the Chakri dynasty. 📍The garden view through the plantings creates a beautiful contrast between the white walls and the green and flower colors, and is easy to photograph in the afternoon with direct sunlight. [Photo spot] Before 9am, the white walls shine evenly with the slanting light from the east, and the shadows of the gun barrels are clearly visible. The back of the statue faces southeast, so if you want to avoid backlighting, it's best to go around noon. Drones are prohibited, but tripods can be used outside the sidewalk. [Estimated stay] A total of 45 minutes is standard, consisting of walking around the fort (about 400m/10 minutes) → observing the battery and nameplate (5 minutes) → visiting the statue of the king and taking photos (10 minutes) → taking a break in the adjacent park (15 minutes). The Golden Mount is a 7-minute walk away, making it easy to combine sightseeing. --- #BangkokOldTown　 #MahakanFort #KingRamaIIIStatue　 #HistoricalFortTour　 #PhotoSpot　 #BangkokConquest