| Phra Raja Wang Derm was the naval academy of | | | | Taksin was called the Phra Raja Wang Derm also |
| Thailand. Prior to this, it was the official residence | | | | known as the original palace. The palace had its |
| of His Majesty King Taksin the Great in the 18th | | | | importance due to its strategic location and some |
| century. It is situated on the bank of Chao Phraya | | | | important family members of the king always |
| River. | | | | stayed there. When H.M. King Rama V became |
| King Taksin regained Thailand's independence. He | | | | the king, he gave Phra Raja Wang Derm to the |
| made Thonburi his capital. Earlier it was called the | | | | Royal Thai Navy in February 23,1900. The navy |
| Vichaiyen Fort and King Taksin rebuilt it and | | | | converted the palace into a naval academy. |
| named it Vichaiprasit Fort. This was a strong | | | | The navy renovated the palace and made it its |
| fortress, located in a strategic position. It was | | | | naval academy headquarters along with a school |
| convenient for controlling both, military operations | | | | building and King Rama V inaugurated the naval |
| and commercial purposes simultaneously. | | | | academy officially. The naval academy remained |
| King Taksin went on to extend the boundaries of | | | | situated there till 1944 and then it was shifted to |
| the Palace. | | | | Sattahip due to the second world war. |
| His Majesty King Rama I became the king after | | | | Presently the building is used as the Office of |
| King Taksin and he shifted his capital to Bangkok, | | | | Naval Secretariat. |
| where he build a new palace. The Palace of King | | | | |