Samutsakhon

SAMUT SAKHON
Samut Sakhon was formerly called "Tha Chin" probably because, in the old days, it had been a trading port dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks. ln 1548, a town named "Sakhon Buri" was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. It was a centre for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The name of the town was changed into "Mahachai" when Khlong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to join the Tha Chin River at the town. Later, the town was renamed "Samut Sakhon" by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called "Mahachai" by the villagers. Samut Sakhon occupies a total area of 872 square kilometres.

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Wat Chong Lom or Wat Sutthiwat Wararam


This temple fronting the river mouth is located at Tambon Tha Chalom on the western side of the Tha Chin River. It was constructed during the Ayutthaya period. Religious buildings in the temple have been beautifully renovated. The windy area by the sea is used as a rest area for the locals.This temple is popular with Chinese visitors because of the Jao Mae Kuan Im Shrine. Here you can see a 9 meter high statue of the Mahayana Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.

Mahachai Market


This is one of Thailand's largest traditional fresh seafood markets, but visitors can find much more than seafood, especially if there is time to spare. Handicrafts such as wicker furniture, pottery and local sarongs are among the colourful offerings in the market. Crossing the river from Mahachai to the west bank, visitors will arrive at Tha Chalom, a large fishing village and industrial land for marine products.

Phanthai Norasing Shrine


This is regarded as the symbol of honesty. It was erected to be a memorial to Phanthai Norasing, a man of integrity of the Ayutthaya period. The historic event occurred in 1704 when Phra Chao Sua, a king of Ayutthaya, made a royal visit by the Ekkachai royal barge via the curved Khok Kham Canal. Phanthai Norasing, who was the coxswain, could not operate the steering, thus causing the prow to be broken by hitting the limb of a tree. To foster the palace law, the coxswain then begged the king to slaughter him although he was forgiven. After his death, the king built a shrine in Khlong Khok Kham and commanded to have a new canal, later named Khlong Mahachai, dug to eliminate the sharp curves of Khok Kham Canal. A cruise along the canal via mangrove forests and fishery villages is organised by Khun Narin Bunruam Tel: 0-3441-2490.

Wat Yai Chom Prasat


Located on Highway No.35 with a left turn after crossing the Tha Chin River, this is an ancient temple presumed to have been built during the Ayutthaya era. The doors and windows of both the old and new chapels were neatly and beautifully carved in various floral designs. It is believed the craftsmen were Chinese, as the carvings include some Chinese trees.

Wichian Chodok Fortress



This fortress is located near the city pillar shrine in the town. It was constructed in 1827 during the reign of King Rama III to prevent sea invasion by an enemy. It can be seen as ruins nowadays. The cannons, which used to be housed in the fortress, are now displayed at the city pillar shrine and the city hall.

Wat Khok Kham


Wat Khok Kham is an ancient temple located by Khlong Khok Kham. It is accessible by going along Highway No. 35. Turn left to Wat Phanthai Norasing for 3 kilometres. The interesting part of this temple is the old ubosot decorated around with Sema boundary markers. At the front of the temple lies a renovated chedi in the Ayutthaya style of art. The wooden engraving design at the gables is beautiful. Besides, there is a Phanthai Norasing Shrine which was a temporary shrine and a store of antique objects concerning the story of Phanthai Norasing such as parts of the Ekkachai and Butsabok royal barges, etc.

Wat Bangyapraek


The temple is located in Tambon Bangyapreak near the bank of Tha Chin river. It is estimated to be built around the early Rattanakosin and is about 176 years old. It was built by the Mon people from Burma who live in the village nearby. There are many burmese people living and working in this area that you can see many signs written in Burmese.

Salt Farms Samut Sakhon


Samut Sakhon is the biggest producer of brine salt. Its picturesque salt farms, which sprawl across the border with Samut Songkhram and along the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway, have provided a back drop for many holiday snapshots.

Wat Krok Krak


This temple was built in the early Rattanakosin period by the local Chinese who called themselves "Kok Kak". The temple hold one of the biggest temple fairs in Samut Sakhon around January every year.The special attraction for this temple is the monk image and a Buddha image wearing sun glasses. The whole temple is also made from teak wood.

Wat Si Suttharam


Wat Si Suttharam or Wat Kam Pra is the temple where the Prince Chumphon statue is located. Prince Chumphon is respected by local fisherman who look on him as a kind of patron saint of sailors. Prince Chumphon was a son of King Rama V and the founder of the modern Thai navy. He is celebrated as the "Father of the Thai Navy". His statue can be found at many seaside towns and villages.

The City Pillar Shrine


The City Pillar Shrine is situated near Pom Wichian Chodok and is a sacred place, as well as, a centre of the heart of the fishermen in the province. Every time before sailing off, they have to pay respect and light a firework in front of the city pillar shrine for good luck.

Khlong Khok Kham


Khlong Khok Kham is a very winding canal. Some parts of it are 90-degree curves. The tide is so strong that it is very difficult to control a boat. This caused an accident when Phrachao Suea or Somdet Phra Sanphet VIII (1703-1709) went along Khlong Khok Kham on his private trip by the Ekkachai royal barge. The barge hit a branch of a tree and Phanthai Norasing as the steersman took responsibility by being executed.

Saphan Pla


Saphan Pla is the biggest fish bridge and a modern one, second only to that in Bangkok. It is located in Samut Sakhon municipality. Modern facilities are utilized to transfer large amount of sea products in every kind. Also, it is a wholesale centre of sea fish.

Mangrove Forest Study Centre


The Ao Mahachai Mangrove Forest Study Centre offers a nature trail along a mangrove forest around the Tha Chin Estuary. From the town, take Sutthiwawithi Road for 2.5 kilometres, then turn left and proceed for 6.5 kilometres to the centre.

Bird Watching


Wat Ratsatthakayara, Tambon Lak Sam, Amphoe Ban Phaeo is where thousands of birds live in peace among the bushes. Migrating mangrove birds can be found along the muddy shore between the Tha Chin and Mae Klong Rivers during the cool season.

Plong Liam
It is situated at Mu 10, Tambon Tha Mai, near the basketball court in Ban Plong Liam School, on the bank of the Tha Chin River. Plong Liam is a chimney of a Portuguese sugar factory, called Captain Hit. It was built in 1824 during the reign of King Rama III. It is a chimney made of bricks and cement on a 4 metre-width and 4 metre-height square base. From the base rises an octagonal chimney. Each side is 1 metre wide and its overall height is 30 metres.

Wat Nang Sao
Wat Nang Sao is located in Tambon Tha Mai. Take Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) to Highway No. 3091 for approximately 5 kilometres and turn left into Soi Wat Nang Sao 2 for 1 kilometre.

Science Centre for Education
Samut Sakhon Science Centre for Education is situated in Tambon Khok Kham, 1 kilometre from Wat Khok Kham. It is under the Office of the Non-Formal Education Commission, Ministry of Education. It was established in 1997 in an area of 18 rai. Inside the building lies an exhibition on astrology and space under the title of the Earth and Solar System, Exploration to the Moon, Life of Fixed Stars with a projector presenting stars in a small dome, a presentation in the Mini Theatre, and an exhibition entitled “Human Beings and Measurement and Calculation”, telling about the long history of measurement and calculation. Outside the building, scientific gardens are organized such as geological garden, health garden, physics amusement park, organic agricultural garden and herb garden. The activities are blended with the original and natural geography. It is open daily from Monday to Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. For more details, please contact Tel. 0 3442 1014.

Ban Don Kai Dee
Ban Don Kai Dee in Krathum Baen District of Samut Sakhon Province where the famous Benjarong porcelain is made . The ceramics produced here are of the finest quality and are much sought after by collectors, universally admired for the beauty and grace of their unique form, design and colour.