A Short Walk Around the White-Walled Mahakan Fort and the Statue of King Rama III in the Old City

[Overview]

In late April 2025, I toured the Mahakan Fort standing along Lan Luang Road in Bangkok’s Old City and the adjacent statue of King Rama III in about 45 minutes.
This fort, started in 1783, is one of the 14 forts that protected the Grand Palace, with only two still standing today.
The striking contrast between the white walls and red roofs is vivid, and the surrounding area has recently been developed into a lush mini-park.
The bronze statue of the king, cast in the 1890s, still attracts continuous worshippers, with marigold garlands never running out.

[Access]

About a 10-minute taxi ride (around 40 THB) from BTS National Stadium Station. Bus route 47 stops at the fort’s front bus stop. Open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, free admission.

[Highlights]

📍The black iron cannon is a replica that was never used in battle but reflects the defensive thinking of the time. The alignment with the fort wall’s firing slits makes for a striking composition.
📍The information board includes English explanations about the fort’s construction history and its role as a key part of the Chao Phraya River defense network.
📍The statue stands 3.5 meters tall. The year engraved on its pedestal serves as historical evidence of the reign of the third Chakri dynasty king.
📍The garden view through the greenery offers a beautiful contrast of white walls with green and floral colors, and the afternoon light is ideal for photography.

[Photography Tips]

Before 9 AM, the slanting light from the east makes the white walls glow evenly, and the shadows on the cannon barrel are clearly defined.
Since the statue faces southeast, avoiding backlight is best around noon. Drones are prohibited, but tripods can be used off the sidewalk.

[Recommended Duration]

A full walk around the fort’s perimeter (about 400 meters / 10 minutes) → observing the cannon and plaques (5 minutes) → visiting and photographing the statue (10 minutes) → resting in the adjacent park (15 minutes), totaling about 45 minutes. It’s also easy to combine this with a visit to the Golden Mount, just a 7-minute walk away.

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