Ancient Cannon Pulled From Bangkok Canal
Authorities recovered a suspected ancient cannon from Bangkok Yai Canal in Thon Buri after local residents requested help retrieving the heavily rusted 1.8-meter artifact, which experts will now examine for its historical significance.
BANGKOK — 5 August 2026, Authorities have recovered a suspected ancient cannon that had been submerged in Bangkok Yai Canal in Bangkok's Thon Buri district, with experts set to examine its origin and historical significance.
The recovery operation took place at the pier of Wat Pradittharam (Wat Mon) on Itsaraphap Soi 17, Hiranruchi subdistrict, Thon Buri district.
Thon Buri district councillor Jirasak Watthanamongkol, together with officials from the Thon Buri District Office and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), used an excavator to lift the cannon from the canal near Charoen Phat Bridge before placing it in the temple grounds.
The cannon measures approximately 1.8 metres in length and is heavily covered in rust. A small section at the muzzle is cracked, while no inscriptions, letters or serial numbers were found on its surface.
Chinwat Jiamsomboon, chairman of the Wat Pradittharam community, said local residents had known about the cannon's presence in the canal for some time but had been unable to retrieve it. He said residents contacted the district councillor and the district office 2–3 days ago to request assistance. The cannon was successfully recovered at 11:58 on 5 August 2026.
District officials are now coordinating with relevant agencies to conduct further examinations to determine the cannon's age, origin and historical value.
