Park and lake in Sattahip for walking and sports

Sattahip is a city about 30 km south of Pattaya.

You can get to Sattahip by motorbike, van and even a white tuk-tuk.

See also: How to get to Sattahip from Pattaya by public transport

Not all areas of the city of Sattahip are accessible to foreigners, as various establishments of the Thai Navy are located here.

But the park I want to talk about is accessible to everyone. The entrance to the park is guarded by a military man (maybe a representative of the navy – I don’t understand this), but they let everyone through.

By the way, I also came across a similar thing when visiting the summer residence of King Rama VI in Cha-Am: at the entrance from the turn from the main road, there are military men and there is a barrier, but they let everyone through.

See also: Palace of King Rama VI in Cha-Am

Krom Luang Chumphon Park and Nong Takhian Lake

This post is about Krom Luang Chumphon Park. This park is located around Nong Takhian Lake, so sometimes this place is called Nong Takhian Park.

Park Krom Luang Chumphon on the map.

At the entrance to the park, we are met by Krom Luang Chumphon Monument.

Historical reference:

Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon (19 December 1880 – 19 May 1923) (Thai: พระองค์เจ้าอาภากรเกียรติวงศ์, RTGS: Phra Ong Chao Aphakon Kiantiwong, full title: Thai: พระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าอาภากรเกียรติวงศ์ กรมหลวงชุมพรเขตอุดมศักดิ์), was the 28th child of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). He was commonly revered as "The Father of the Thai Navy".

As the founder of the Thai Navy (then known as the 'Royal Siamese Navy'), Abhakara was highly praised by many Thais as "Sadej Tia" (Thai: เสด็จเตี่ย; lit. Lord Father), "Mor Phon" (Thai: หมอพร; lit. Doctor Phon). The Thai Royal Navy officially granted him the title of "the Father of the Thai Navy" in 1993.

There are 217 shrines and memorials built to honor him around Thailand. The most famous of these is the Prince of Chumphon Shrine at Hat Sai Ree in Chumphon Province, where he recuperated and rehabilitated from his illnesses, before his death on 19 May 1923.

That is, it is a monument to the founding father of the Thai Royal Navy. The park is named after him, although the name used was his title rather than his first and last names. You may already be familiar with this historical figure, as the Admiral Kiartivongse Monument is located on Pratamnak Hill in Pattaya (where the main viewpoint of the city is located and where photos are taken of Pattaya's curving coastline, which has become the hallmark of this city).

I am not strong in history and learned all this only at the time of preparation of this article. And now you can more meaningfully look at the monument of this great man. In addition to the statue, the monument includes a mast with the flag of the naval flag of Thailand (it depicts an elephant), naval guns, anchors, elephants and Thai spirits.

References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhakara_Kiartivongse

Not far from the entrance you will see benches where you can relax and enjoy the company of pigeons.

There is also a small shop nearby where you can buy drinks, ice cream and snacks.

A jogging track has been made around the park, palm trees have been planted, and in some places there are benches.

The length of the circular route is 2.1-2.3 km – it depends on the paths that you choose (in some places the road forks, and then merges into one again).

Throughout the route, the scenery will change. I shot this tiny video at the very beginning of the route (if you start moving counterclockwise).

It was in this park that I photographed the plants for the article “Poisonous “mangoes” and other inedible fruits in Thailand” – I'm telling you just in case (FYI).

You can see older men in the park – they are retired military men.

The road has two zones that differ in color: burgundy and dark gray. One of them seems to bulge and spring a little – it is believed that this reduces wear on the joints on the legs while running.

There are many beautiful plants in the park.

By the way, there are also enough insects – when we sat down on the stones to have a bite to eat and rest, the centipede made adjustments to our plans, and we continued on our way.

At the beginning of the path from the opposite side, far outside the park, mountains are visible.

On a hot afternoon, there are relatively few people. And in the late afternoon, there are noticeably more people, many come with their whole families.

Inside the park there are a couple of sports fields, there is a court for playing tennis or badminton.

In some places there are small gazebos.

Toilets are located near the store, that is, at the end of the route if you walk the route counterclockwise.

Entrance to the park is free.

So, Krom Luang Chumphon Park and Nong Takhian Lake is a pleasant place where you can enjoy nature and scenery, relax, as well as run and walk.