🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Pak Nam Prasae is an old fishing community in eastern Rayong, in Klaeng district, about an hour's drive from Rayong town. The thing most people come for is the big grey warship docked along the Prasae River, visible from a distance. This ship isn't a replica — it's a genuine Royal Thai Navy warship that once went out on active duty.
The story of HTMS Prasae
The ship dates back to World War II. It started life as a frigate in the US Navy named USS Gallup, built in 1943. After the war, the Royal Thai Navy took it on and renamed it HTMS Prasae.
During the Korean War, HTMS Prasae was sent to fight under the Thai flag. It escorted oil supply ships, protected minesweepers, and provided shore bombardment support, serving on operations for nearly a year. It was one of the Thai warships that went as far as the Korean Peninsula in that era.
The navy officially decommissioned HTMS Prasae on 22 June 2000. The whole ship was then moved to Pak Nam Prasae and set up as a memorial, opening to the public as a learning site from 25 December 2003 onwards.
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How much of the ship can you see?
The part a lot of people enjoy is being able to walk right up onto the actual ship. There's a ramp up to the deck so you can walk around the whole vessel, seeing the ship's guns, the mast, and the bridge up close. Most of it is exterior walking and time on deck — the rooms inside the hull are locked and not open to visitors.
- Walk around the ship — get a sense of the real size of a warship and take great photos with the grey hull
- Go up on deck — walk the ship and see the guns and bridge up close
- River viewpoints — from on board you look out over the Prasae River and the locals' fishing boats
Tip
The ship is steel and the deck is fully exposed, so around midday the sun is strong and it gets very hot. Come in the morning or late afternoon for a more comfortable walk — and better light for photos too.
River views and the scene around the ship
The area around the ship is laid out as a riverside park with walkways, open spaces, and spots to sit. The Prasae River here is a river mouth flowing out to the sea, so you'll see local fishing boats coming and going along with everyday fishing life. Late afternoon, when the light softens, is when it's at its best — plenty of people come to sit in the breeze and photograph the ship against the sky at sunset.
There are riverside cafes and restaurants nearby where you can rest. No need to rush — once you've finished walking the ship, find a seat, sip a coffee, and keep looking out over the river. It suits anyone who wants to take a trip slowly.
What else to do around Pak Nam Prasae
The nice thing about this spot is that it sits within the Pak Nam Prasae community, where the sights are either walkable or just a few minutes' drive apart. It's easy to turn into a half-day or full-day trip.
Tung Prong Thong
A wide mangrove forest of golden-green prong trees, with a wooden walkway running through the middle. Free entry, and best in the late morning through the afternoon.
Prasae Sin Bridge
A bridge across the Prasae River with views of both banks — the sea on one side and the fishing village on the other. Cycle or drive across to take in the view.
Prasae Old Market
A walking street in the old community, with century-old wooden houses, local snacks, and souvenirs along the way.
An easy day plan
Walk the old market and grab a meal in the morning, head to Tung Prong Thong late morning, come to HTMS Prasae in the afternoon, then finish with sunset by the river. A full day without rushing.
Opening hours, entry fee, and getting there
- Opening hours — open daily, roughly 08:00–18:00 (some sources list it until 18:30)
- Entry fee — free, both to walk around the ship and to go up on deck
- Location — Pak Nam Prasae subdistrict, Klaeng district, Rayong
- Getting there — from Rayong town, take Sukhumvit Road towards Klaeng, then turn off into Pak Nam Prasae, about 1 hour total. There's a parking area.
There are no hotels in the community itself, but there are riverside homestays if you want to stay overnight. If you'd rather sleep by the sea or near a beach, most people head back to stay around Mae Ramphueng Beach, Ban Phe, or Rayong town.
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