สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

«“√ “√ √“™∫— ≥±‘ µ¬ ∂“π ªï ∑’Ë Û ©∫— ∫∑’Ë Ò ¡.§.-¡’ .§. ÚıÙ¯ 229 «ÿ ≤‘ ™— ¬ ¡Ÿ ≈»‘ ≈ªá Abstract Fort Phra Chulachomklao and the Preservation of National Independence Wutdichai Moolsilpa Associate Fellow of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, The Royal Institute, Thailand In 1893 (2436 B.E.) as imperialism violently encroched upon Thailand, King Chulalongkorn visited the various forts in the Pak Nam area of Samut Prakan Province, hastening the completion of Fort Phra Chulachomklao. He donated, from his own personal treasury, 800,000 baht to speed up the building of the fort and to purchase weapons for national security. He hoped the Fort Phra Chulachomklao would help preserve the nation’s independence. The King visited this fort again many times and even tested the cannons with his own hands. However, the French took advantage of the situation in a pre-emptive attack on Thailand on the evening of July 13 th 1893. Two French war ships broke through the defenses of Fort Phra Chulachomklao and the Thai war ships. Key words : Fort Phra Chulachomklao, Notional Independence