Samutprakan

SAMUT PRAKAN

Samut Prakan, also known as Paknam is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. The town is only 25 kms. south of Bangkok and easily frequented by bus. Its old community settled in Phra Pradaeng (now a northern district) during the Ayutthaya Period. The modern town and several fortresses, were built by the command of King Rama ll in 1819. Samut Prakan occupies an area of 1,004 square kilometres. This is our local province and we have taken several thousand photos over the last few years. Please visit our very extensive Paknam.com for more details.


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The Erawan Museum



This three-headed elephant, Airavata was born of Khun Lek Viriyapant's ideas and imagination. It was inspired by his wish to preserve his collection of antiques as a contribution to Thai cultural heritage. Many of these were priceless objects of art they were also held as sacred objects for people of ancient cultures. According to ancient traditions they were believed to bring blessing and prosperity to the land and its people, and therefore must not be lost to outsiders. It had been Mr.Viriyapant's concern to find a way that would keep these objects safe and that would also be suitable to their traditional functions.

Ancient Siam



Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) is the world's biggest open-air museum. It occupies an area of 500 rais (200 acres). Construction began in the latter part of 1963. It is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, at Km. 33.5 of the old Sukhumvit Road, 8 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. This unique attraction is the center of scaled-down and actual-size replicas of important historical sites of various provinces such as Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, Wat Mahathat Sukhothai, Phraphuttabat Saraburi, Phrathat Mueang Nakhon, Phrathat Chaiya, etc. Furthermore, there are rare traditional folk arts and cultures, some of which are hard to come by nowadays. For those who wish to learn about Thailand, they will not be disappointed here.

Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo



It was built in 1950 as Thailand's first crocodile farm. It is now the world's largest crocodile farm. It is situated at Tambon Tai Ban, 3 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. The farm has over 60,000 crocodiles of different kinds in various pits. Daily shows feature catching crocodiles bare-handed. Shows take place every hour from 09.00-17.00., except at noon; additional shows at 12.00 and 17.00 on holidays. Feeding time is between 16.30 - 17.30. Another star attraction for visitors is the elephant show of which performances are held daily every hour from 09.30 -16.30. Furthermore, you can see tigers, chimpanzees, and other animals such as gibbons, turtles, boa constrictors, pythons, birds, camels, hippopotamuses, and of various species of fishes.

Wat Asokaram



This temple is 6 kilometres from town. It is located in Soi Sukhaphiban 58, Tambon Thai Ban, on Sukhumvit road, its entrance is opposite Sawangkhaniwat Recuperation Centre. The new temple was built by Phra Acharn Lee Thammawaro) of the Dharmayuthi sect on May 8, 1962. It is one of the important temples for practicing mediation. Worth visiting and seeing in this temple is Phra Thutangkha Chedi, a group of 13 chedi as a representative of the 13 duties of the monks on their religious trips. There is also Vihara Wisutthithamrangsi in which Acharn Lee's remains are enshrined.

Bang Pu Seaside Resort



This is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, about Kilometres 37 from Bangkok on Sukhumvit Road, opposite the Bang Pu Industrial Estate. It has long been famous for its seaside resort and also the recuperation centre, and generally associated with relaxation. It is operated by the Quartermaster Generals Department. Inside the compound, there are many gardens and a lot of trees and plants. Restaurants and bungalows are also available. During November to late July, a lot of migrating seagulls will come here, feeding along the seashore. Call 0-2323-9138, 0-2323-9983 for more information.

Wat Klang Worawihan



This second level royal monastery is located at Tambon Pak Nam. The temple, of which the former name is Wat Takothong, was built in the late Ayutthaya period. The main building was renovated in the reign of King Rama III. The upper part of the front of the temple, above the entrance, is decorated with Chinese porcelain and ceramics. Inside the temple, there is a mural painting, depicting the first book of the Buddhist scripture dealing with the life of Lord Buddha. Later, another building was built to enshrine the 4 traces of Lord Buddha's Footprints. The hall for sermons is Thai style structure made totally from teak and upper part of the front of the building, above the entrance, is lavishly decorated with exquisite and beautifully carved wood well worth preserving.

Naval Museum



The Naval Museum is located at Bang Nang Keng, Pak Nam, Samut Prakan, opposite the Naval Academy on Sukhumvit Road, 10 kilometres from Bang Na intersection. The museum chronicles the history of the Royal Thai Navy and the important Naval battles, exhibits miniature ships such as the Royal Barges which were used in the Royal Barge Processions of King Rama V period, the warship H.M.S. Phra Ruang, Rau Barge, H.M.S. Matchanu - the first submarine of the Royal Thai Navy. It is open everyday except public holidays from 9.00 a.m.-15.30 p.m. For more information, call 0 2394 1997 or 0 2475 38080 or visit http://www.navy.mi.th/navalmuseum/index_eng.htm

Phra Samut Chedi



Phra Samut Chedi is located at Tambon Pak Klong Bang Pla Kot, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Samut Prakan City Hall. Formerly, this chedi was located on a small island in the middle of Chao Phraya River's mouth behind Phisuea Samut Fortress. Subsequently, however, the little island became linked to the right bank of the river due to the water turning shallow. Then, King Rama II granted the construction of the Chedi but it was not completed in his time. Later, during the reign of King Rama III, construction was resumed and the 20-metre high pagoda was completed. Finally, King Rama IV commanded that the shape of the chedi be changed and also increased the chedis height to 38 metres. Inside the pagoda, contained Lord Buddha's relics, Phra Chai Wat and Phra Ham Samut Buddha images (Buddha image in the attitude of Pacifying the ocean).

Pom Phra Chulachomklao



Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress is situated at the mouth of Chao Phraya River, Tambon Laem Fa Pha. You can get there using the Suksawat Road from the Phra Samut Chedi intersection. The fortress' compound houses a magnificent standing monument of King Rama V, which is located in the front of the fortress.

Pom Phlaeng Faifa



This old fortress is located at Tambon Talat. Only a few parts of the fortress are still in good condition. It was one of the fortresses of Muang Nakhon Khuaenkhan, serving as a military base at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. There are many fortresses because King Rama I commanded that the fortresses be built for protecting the kingdom. At present, Muang Phra Pa Daeng Municipality has developed the area of the fortress into a recreational area for the townspeople. The upper part of the fortress displays several old cannons. Trees have been planted all around.

Bang Namphueng Floating Market



A new floating market near Bangkok located at Tambon Bang Namphueng, Phra Pradaeng District. The charm of this floating market is the canalside lifestyle of the community whose members are mostly Thai – Mon. Local products and famous food such as fish-scale flowers, herbal joss sticks, Hoi Thot (fried mussel pancake), Khanom Khrok or mortar-toasted pastry, mango, etc. are also offered on sale.

Wat Protketchettharam



Located at Tambon Song Kha Nong, this is the only Thai-Buddhism temple in Phra Pradaeng. Other temples are of the Mon-Buddhism sect. Phraya Phetphichai built it during the reign of King Rama II. A distinct and unique architectural characteristic of the temple is that its roof is covered with ancient Mon ceramic shingles, without any decorations on the temple roof. The front of the main building, Ubosot, above the entrance, is done with stucco adorned with vine lines and decorated with ancient porcelain and ceramic pieces. Inside, there is a cast-metal Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara.

Wat Songtham Worawihan



Wat Songtham Worawihan is an old temple of Mon-Buddhism sect. It was constructed at the same time when Muang Nakhon Khuaenkhan was being built, during the reign of King Rama III. At present, it is a second class royal monastery. The huge Phra Raman Chedi was built in Mon style. Buildings in this temple are built of brick and cement. A decoration on the roof of the temple is made of teak. The replication of Lord Buddha's Footprint was enshrined inside the temple.

City Pillar Shrine



The City Pillar Shrine is located at Tambon Talat. It was constructed in 1813. It has been with Amphoe Phra Pradaeng a long time - since the time when this Amphoe was once a city. It is a highly revered holy place of the people.

Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai



Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai and Old Market, located approximately 500 metres from Bueng Tako on the canalside of Khlong Samrong, Tambon Bang Phli Yai. The temple was formerly known as Wat Phlapphla Chai Chana Songkhram built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great’s victory over the Burmese.

Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang

Located on the northern bank of Khlong Samrong in Tambon Bang Phli Yai, not too far from Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai. It was constructed around 1824 and originally called Wat Klang before changing to Wat Rat Sattha Tham and eventually Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang. The temple contains an immense reclining Buddha image of approximately 53 metres long known as Somdet Phra Sakayamuni Si Sumet Bophit. There are 4 storeys inside the image itself. The 1st floor houses meditation cells; the 2nd floor has images of the 500 Arahats and murals depicting Hell and Heaven; the 3rd floor has paintings of several other sacred Buddha images; the 4th floor houses the Lord Buddha’s relic taken from Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1987, and also the Reclining Buddha’s heart.

Bung Tako
This is a place for the people who love playing water sports like water skiing and windsurfing. It supplies players with a full range of those sport equipment. A training course is also arranged for beginners. The club is at km. 13 off the Bang Na - Trad highway. Call 316-7809-10 for more information.

Nong Ngu Hao Farm
This farm is located at Tambon Bang Chalong on Bangna-Trat Road. Between the 14 and 15 kilometres markers, take a left turn into a side road (entrance to Krirk University) and go in about 1.5 kilometres. It started in 1986, has an area of about 10 Rais (4 acres). The main purpose being the rearing of various kinds of cobras. There are also shows of snake venom extraction and snake catching. There are various snake-skin products on sale at low prices, such as shoes, belts, bags, etc. It is open from 9.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Normally, it is open to only contracted Tour Operators. For the the general public, please contact the Farm in advance at: Nong Ngu How Farm, 23/2 Mu. 6, kilometre 15 (Bangna-Trat), Tambon Bang Chalong, Amphoe Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540, or call at 0-2312-5990.