Songkhla Old City Wall

History & Significance

The construction of the Songkhla Old City Wall began during the reign of King Rama III. In B.E. 2399 (as recorded in historical documents), the central government in Bangkok ordered the construction of the city walls and fortresses. However, before the construction could be completed, a Malay rebellion broke out in B.E. 2381 (1838). The rebel forces burned down Chana town and advanced to attack Songkhla. Phraya Wichiankhiri (Thian Seng), the governor of Songkhla, successfully defended the city until royal troops from Bangkok arrived to defeat the rebels. Following the conflict, the construction resumed and the city wall was successfully completed in B.E. 2385 (1842).

Highlights & What to See

The Songkhla Old City Wall was constructed using large stone blocks cemented with mortar, forming a rectangular perimeter around the old town of Songkhla. The historical dimensions and features of the wall include:

• Dimensions: The wall stretched 1,200 meters from north to south, standing 5 meters high and 2 meters thick.
• Fortifications: It featured battlements and 8 fortresses. Each fortress was equipped with 3 to 4 cannons, each with a 4-inch caliber.
• Gates: The perimeter originally included 10 large arched gates and 10 small gates.

Today, only portions of this grand structure remain. Visitors can view the surviving sections of the wall located on Chana Road (directly opposite the Songkhla National Museum) and on Nakhon Nai Road.

Visitor Information

The remaining sections of the Songkhla Old City Wall are open to the public daily. There is no admission fee to visit the site. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the surrounding historic streets of Songkhla's old town.

How to Get There

The main preserved section of the wall is located on Chana Road, Bo Yang Subdistrict, Songkhla, directly opposite the Songkhla National Museum. It is easily accessible by local transport, red songthaews, or on foot if you are already exploring the Songkhla Old Town area.