According to Admiralty Thailand has 68 lighthouses. It’s not too much regarding the long coastline and many islands.
Thai lighthouses are no beauties, not to compare with well known American or British lighthouse beauties. Keeper houses are unknown. Most of Thai lighthouses are made of concrete, white and about 10-12 m tall. Taller lighthouses are square pyramidal skeletal towers, mostly on islands.
Most interesting Thailand lighthouse I have seen in Songkhla, Southern Thailand. It’s situated at the north end of the temple complex Phra Chedi Luang, the royal pagoda at the top of Tang Kuan Hill and now the symbol of Songkhla City.
The construction of lighthouse was finished 1897 and it seems to be one of the oldest Thailand lighthouses.
It remains unclear, if the caged lamp has any relation to the lighthouse! The information table in front of this lamp describes the historic lighthouse of Pharos and Alexander the Great ( personal information)!
I’m trying to look for a photo of the first lighthouse ever built in Thailand in the 1800’s by my ancestor, Henry Alabaster under the instruction of King Chulalongkorn. Can you help me?
Most detailed information about Thai lighthouse you can find in this document https://www.hydro.navy.mi.th/download/Nav_Guide2005.pdf unfortunately you need help to translate it to English. Most of the lighthouses were built after 1890. I found only this one built earlier https://www.facebook.com/493662610713040/photos/a.493715164041118/765572013522097/?type=3&locale=th_TH
Dear Mitko – I have found the same website plus this one which apparently was brought to Thailand ‘ready-made’ from England
https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9610000050978
They both said first lighthouse in Thailand! My ancestor, Henry Alabaster, was the administrator of the lighthouse according to this document
https://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_PhananChoeng_Alabaster.html
Pity that his name was not mentioned in either document about the Lighthouse.
BTW – I am Thai – so reading the document you kindly provided is not a problem for me. Thank you so much for your response.
Virginia
Hi Virginia,
lighthouses are not very popular in Thailand and most of Thais do not understand the meaning of a lighthouse. This may be one reason for you not to find a photo of an old lighthouse in Thailand. I will check it next weeks, but I am not full of hope !
Dear Mr. Koehler – I am so happy to hear from you! I have found photos in 2 posts as follows – both mentioned being the first lighthouse! No idea who is correct!!! …
https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9610000050978
https://www.facebook.com/340609796616268/posts/652537438756834/
My ancestor, Henry Alabaster, was the administrator of the lighthouse according to this document.
https://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_PhananChoeng_Alabaster.html
As to which one – it doesn’t say.
Did not get my personal mail? Here I suppose, where the first Thailand lighthouse has maybe !
Andreas