Samut Sakhon, Thailand

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 th e 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.

Attractions:
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.


Local Products:
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.


Festivals & Events:
Don Chedi Memorial Fair
January: In 1592 at Don Chedi, King Naresuan the Great won a famous duel on elephant with the leader of an enemy force. This fair commemorates the momentous event with historical exhibitions, outdoor entertainment, and the high spirits characteristic of all Thai festivals.


How to get there:
By Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) to Samut Sakhon via Bang Khunthian District Office and Mahachai Intersection.v
b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 3 (Phetkasem Road) to Bang Khae, then turn into the outer ring road before proceeding along Ekkachai Road to Samut Sakhon.

By Bus
Regular buses leave Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal daily between 4.30 a.m. and 9.30 p.m. Call 0 2435 1199-200 for more information.

By Train
Visitors can take a regular train which departs from Wongwian Yai Railway Station to Mahachai Railway Station daily, and then connect a ferry from Mahachai to Samut Sakhon Town. Call 0 2465 2017 for more information.