Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse is often called 'Mor Phon' by locals, as he was also a practitioner of traditional Thai medicine.
The HTMS Chumphon was a torpedo boat built in Japan and served in the Thai Navy for 38 years before being retired to this site.
The shrine faces the sea, symbolically maintaining the Prince's watch over Thai waters.
Many visitors set off firecrackers at the shrine as an offering to express gratitude or request success in personal endeavors.
The area is the site of the Prince's final place of residence, where he passed away in 1923.
The statue of the Prince is life-sized and is frequently adorned with garlands by naval officers and civilians alike.
This seaside shrine is dedicated to Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, the Prince of Chumphon, who is considered the father of the modern Thai Navy. The site is situated on a hill overlooking Hat Sai Ri beach, providing a strategic view of the coastline. The shrine houses a statue of the Prince in his naval uniform, which is a focal point for locals paying their respects. The area includes an outdoor exhibition space featuring the decommissioned HTMS Chumphon, a torpedo boat moored near the shore. Several commemorative monuments and historical artifacts related to the Thai Navy are displayed on the grounds. The architecture combines traditional Thai elements with structural motifs reflective of the Prince's naval legacy. It serves as both a site of religious pilgrimage and a memorial to naval history.
The upper balcony of the shrine offers the most comprehensive view of the entire coastline and the surrounding forest.
Bring a pair of sunglasses and a hat as the hilltop area has minimal shade.
Observe locals to learn the proper way to offer joss sticks or flowers before the statue.
Take time to walk down the hill to the beach area to view the decommissioned torpedo boat from deck level.
Do not climb on the historical naval equipment or monuments, as these are protected memorials.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor; cover shoulders and knees as this is a sacred site; remove footwear before entering the interior of any shrine structures.
