Samutsongkhram Thailand Hotels & Resorts, Online Hotel Reservation & Special Package Tours

Samut Songkhram is the province of fertile land, of plants and food grains, the production source of vegetables and fruits, as well as a vast variety of seafood products. It is also an interesting historical source for the early Rattanakosin period.

Samut Songkhram is an ancient province with a long history. Originally, it is believed that this province was once a part of Ratchaburi province, and called “Suan Nork” at that time. Then, towards the end of the Ayutthaya period going on to the Thonburi period, it was separated from Ratchaburi province and was called “Mueang Mae Klong”.

Samut Songkhram is located 72 Kilometres from Bangkok, occupies an area of 416 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 3 districts: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Amphawa, and Amphoe Bang Khonthi.

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 Events:
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:
King Rama II Memorial Park Fair
The fair is held in February every year. Celebrations include artistic, culinary, handicraft, horticultural exhibitions and contests, and traditional Thai musical and dramatic performances.

How to get there :
Amphawa 6 Kms.
Ban Khonthi 12 Kms.

By Car
From Bangpakaew T-intersection onto the Thonburi - Paktho Road, take Highway No. 35, through Mahachai - Nakluea intersection, at Km. 64, turn right into Mueang Samut Songkhram.

By Bus
The Transport Co., Ltd. services Bangkok - Samut Songkhram buses daily from the Southern Bus Terminal on Baromrajajonnani Road. Call at 0-2435-5031 for air-conditioned buses and at 0-2434-5557-8 for non-air conditioned buses.

By Train
From Wongwianyai Railway Station, there are daily Bangkok - Samut Songkhram trains. Get off at Samut Sakon Province Railway Station, take a boat to Ban Laem Railway Station and get on the train to Samut Songkhram. You can also take a train from Wongwianyai Railway Station, and get off at Mahachai Railway Station and take a bus to Samut Songkhram. Call Wongwianyai Railway Station at 0-2465-2017 for more information.

Discount Thailand hotels reservations. Cheap Bangkok hotel rates, Pattaya hotels, Phuket hotels, Krabi hotels, Koh Samui hotels resorts online booking.