“King Taksin's Shipyard, an ancient site and important historical landmark”
The King Taksin the Great Shipyard Local Museum is believed to be the place where King Taksin the Great used as a shipyard, called the King Taksin Shipyard or Samet Ngam Shipyard, when preparing to lead troops to fight Burma to restore Thailand's independence in 1767. The Underwater Archaeology Unit of the Archaeology Division, Department of Fine Arts, excavated ship remains and examined archaeological soil layers along the bay. They discovered several rectangular water pits resembling shipyards, along with various components of ancient ships. It is believed that these were small Fujian-style Chinese junks used for transporting goods, with three-mast sails and a tiger-tailed rudder. The ships were about 24 meters long and 5 meters wide. Nearby, there is a storage area for replica ships and boats that local people used in the past.
Within the area of Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat Shipyard at Ban Samet Ngam, there are various interesting things.
- The King Taksin the Great Memorial, built by the people of Samaed Ngam, is available for the public and tourists to pay their respects.
- An ancient shipyard that has now been covered with a roofed building for those interested to study.
- The local museum of King Taksin the Great's Shipyard features permanent exhibitions about the biography and royal duties of King Taksin the Great, the history and archaeological evolution of Chanthaburi, junk shipbuilding technology, pottery, celadon ware, model ships, ancient utensils, and more.
- building displaying a large sailing ship, along with exhibitions about the local area.
- Demonstration and Local Product Sales Building of Ban Samet Ngam
- A pier where decommissioned warships are docked on display for tourists to see.
How to Get There
- Private car: From Chanthaburi city, use the same route as going to Wat Samed Ngam. Upon reaching the temple, turn right at the sign and continue driving for about 1 kilometer.
- Public transportation: Travel by bus (Bangkok - Chanthaburi route) or passenger van, stopping at the bus station or a stop in Chanthaburi city. Then you can take a local bus or a hired vehicle to Ban Samed Ngam.
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: You can visit year-round since it is an exhibition building and archaeological site with a roof, but it is advisable to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
- Dress and equipment: Dress appropriately and respectfully for a historical site. Bring an umbrella or hat to protect against the sun when outside the building, and wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking to various points.
- Photography: The surrounding area and the sections displaying ship remains are historically interesting and suitable for taking photos to record important stories.
Admission:
- Free of charge
Opening Hours:
- Open daily: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM