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 Thailand
Guidebook > Provinces > Central
> 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;
The town is located
28 kms. from Bangkok along Highway no. 35, the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway.
It is also accessible by train from the Wongwian Yai Railway Station
in Bangkok.
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Samut
Sakhon is administratively divided into 3 districts: Muang Samut
Sakhong, Krathum Baen, and Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port
and also the biggest producer of brine salt.
If you have already
visited this southern province, please share your highlights
with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook. |
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.
Wat
Yai Chom Prasat Located on Highway No.35 with a
left turn after crossing the The 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.
Wat Chong
Lom or Wat Sutthi Wata 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.
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. |
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 is possible by boat chartered from a landing
near the Mahachai Market. The trip takes about 2 hours.
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.
Salt
Farms 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. |

Bencharong
This craft is a form of exquisitely patterned pottery, which was
used at the tables of the aristocracy. lts name means ''five colours''
- usually red, black, blue, yellow, green - and only these five
may be used to decorate it, although sometimes gold is applied
by hand, and the patterns are small and intricate. Very few artists,
like those at Krathum Baen, follow the craft today, so examples
of Bencharo are rare and much sought after.
Fruit The people of
Amphoe Krathum Baen and Ban Phaeo earn their living by growing
fruit trees, vegetables, and orchids. Tasty fruit produced in
Samut Songkhram include coconuts with aromatic juice, sweet pomelos,
and guavas. |
COPYRIGHT:
Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority
of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally
and notes made by Nattawud Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs
on this web site are the property of Nattawud Daoruang.

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