Prince of Chumphon Shrine

The Prince of Chumphon Shrine at Hat Sai Ri in Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon Province, is a revered memorial dedicated to Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, regarded as the Father of the Royal Thai Navy. Located on a hill overlooking Hat Sai Ri Beach and the Gulf of Thailand, the shrine houses a prominent statue of the Prince and is adjacent to the preserved HTMS Chumphon warship, attracting visitors for its cultural significance and coastal views.

Visitors can expect a hilltop shrine complex overlooking Hat Sai Ri Beach with a large bronze statue of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse as the central focus. The grounds include offering areas, smaller monuments, and landscaped terraces with views of the Gulf of Thailand. Adjacent to the shrine is the preserved HTMS Chumphon torpedo boat and an outdoor exhibition area. The site is open and tranquil, with steps leading to the main platform, souvenir and food stalls nearby, and a beach area below.

Dedicated to Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon (1880-1923), son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who is regarded as the founder and Father of the Royal Thai Navy for modernizing the navy and establishing naval education. The shrine at Hat Sai Ri commemorates his contributions and is one of the most important memorials to him in Thailand, with the adjacent HTMS Chumphon, a former Royal Thai Navy torpedo boat, preserved as a memorial exhibit.

Highly revered by Royal Thai Navy personnel and the general public, the shrine is a place for paying respects and making offerings to Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, who is widely venerated. It serves as a focal point for remembrance ceremonies, particularly on Navy Day and the anniversary of the Prince's passing, and reflects respect for the monarchy and naval heritage.