Understand
[edit]Samut Sakhon, called "Maha Chai" by the locals, is a small province on the mouth of the Tha Chin River, only 2 kilometres from the sea and 36 kilometres from Bangkok. It is a historic city recorded in the Ayutthaya Chronicle. This was during the period that Phrachao Suea travelled by the royal barge procession creating the story of the loyal Phanthai Norasing.
This province was originally called "Tha Chin" because it was a large district on the Gulf of Thailand, where there were a lot of foreigners, especially the Chinese -Chin- who travelled by ship and stopped at the port –Tha- for trading. Therefore, it was well known as Tambon "Tha Chin". In 1548, during the reign of Phra Maha Chakkraphat, many new cities were established with the royal aims to gather power to fight the Burmese. Ban Tha Chin, hence, was upgraded to Mueang "Sakhon Buri" to be an outpost city preventing the invasion of enemies arriving by sea. Until the reign of King Rama IV, the city's name was changed into Mueang Samut Sakhon.
During the reign of King Rama V, he conducted governance reform by organising the regional bureaucratic system in the form of a circle called "Monthon Thesaphiban" and announced the establishment of Thailand's first sanitary district in Tambon Tha Chalom in 1906.
Then, in 1913, King Rama VI announced a royal command for the government to transform the word "Mueang" (town) to "Changwat" (province) throughout the country. Mueang Samut Sakhon was changed to "Changwat Samut Sakhon" as it is still known. The word "Maha Chai" that people usually used is the name of a canal dug across the crooked Khlong Khok Kham which is the symbol of the loyalty of Phanthai Norasing.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Travelling from Bangkok can be done as follows:
- From Bang Pakaeo Intersection. Go along Highway No. 35 Thon Buri – Pak Tho Road (Rama II Road), passing the Bang Khun Thian District Administration Office, Ekkachai Weighing Station to the Maha Chai Intersection at km28. Then, turn left to Samut Sakhon city. A total distance of 29 kilometres.
- From Dao Khanong Department Store. Go along Ekkachai Road, pass Bang Khun Thian Bridge, Wat Sing, Bang Bon Intersection, Sueksanari School, Wat Pho Chae, Tambon Khok Krabue, Ekkachai Weighing Station, Maha Chai Community Housing, to the centre of Samut Sakhon. A total distance of 30 kilometres.
- From Tha-Phra Intersection. Go along Highway No. 4, Phetchakasem Road to Nong Khaem and turn left into Soi Phetchakasem 81 to the Ekkachai Intersection. Then, turn right and go along Ekkachai Road, passing Sueksanari School and the Ekkachai Weighing Station to the centre of Samut Sakhon. A total distance of 30 kilometres.
- You can also take Phetchakasem Road, pass Bang Khae and turn left into the outer ring road, crossing with Ekkachai Road. Then, turn back to Ekkachai Road or go straight on into Thon Buri – Pak Tho Road or from Phetchakasem Road, pass Om Noi to Setthakit 1 Road at km25, passing Amphoe Krathum Baen.
- From Phra Pinklao Bridge. Take Borommaratchachonnani Road and take any one of 3 routes into Phetchakasem Road which are Phutthamonthon Sai 2, 4 or 5 Roads. Then, 2 ways can be chosen to enter the centre of Samut Sakhon. Either from Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road to Ekkachai Road. Turn right and pass Sueksanari School; a total distance of 35 kilometres, or take Phutthamonthon Sai 4 and 5 Roads to Setthakit 1 Road and pass Amphoe Krathum Baen; a total distance of approximately 50 kilometres. Besides, you can take the outer ring road, passing Ekkachai and Thon Buri – Pak Tho Roads.
By bus
[edit]The Transport Company Limited provides buses to Samut Sakhon everyday from 04:20-21:00. For more details, contact the Southern Bus Terminal, Borommaratchachonnani Road at Tel. +66 2 435–1199, +66 2 435-5605 (air conditioned bus).
By train
[edit]State Railways of Thailand provides trains leaving Wongwian Yai Station many times a day from 05:30-20:10 to Maha Chai Station or across the river by boat to Ban Laem Station and take a train to Mae Klong Station, Samut Songkhram. For more details, contact Wongwian Yai Railway Station at Tel. +66 2 465–2017, +66 2 890-6260 and Maha Chai Railway Station at Tel. +66 34 411003.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]
- 1 Ao Mahachai Mangrove Forest Natural Education Center (ศูนย์ศึกษาธรรมชาติป่าชายเลนอ่าวมหาชัย), ตำบล บางหญ้าแพรก อำเภอเมืองสมุทรสาคร สมุทรสาคร, ☏ +663-449-8262. 8:30AM - 5:30PM. An educational and research hub highlighting the delicate but essential mangrove eco-system. There is a nature trail along the mangrove forest around the Tha Chin Estuary for nature-lovers, as well as a camping ground
- 2 Phan Thai Norasing Shrine (ศาลพันท้ายนรสิงห์). 8AM - 6PM. A shrine dedicated to Phan Thai Norasing, a local hero who was the coxswain for King Sanphet, in which he willingly accepted the death penalty according to ancient Thai law for damaging the royal barge, despite being given a pardon. There is also a royal barge that he was the coxswain for on display in the area. Free.
- 3 Red Bridge (สะพานแดง) (along the sea), ☏ +6686-164-0170. A 700-metre bridge that is frequented by locals. If you are lucky you will get to see dolphins and whales from November - March (although very rarely). There are nice restaurants around the area. Free.
- 4 Wat Krok Krak (วัดโกรกกราก), วัดโกรกกราก 188 อำเภอเมืองสมุทรสาคร สมุทรสาคร 74000 (right on the banks of Ta Chin river). 6AM - 6PM. One of the most sacred temples in the province, famous for the 100-year old Buddha statue with sunglasses.
- 5 Wat Tha Mai (วัดท่าไม้), เลขที่ 51 ตำบล ท่าไม้ อำเภอกระทุ่มแบน สมุทรสาคร 74110. A very famous temple in Thailand, frequented by many people for fortune telling by abbot Pra Ar Jan Uten Sirisaro. Many cars around Thailand have the sticker with the name of the temple.
- 6 Wat Yai Ban Bo (วัดใหญ่บ้านบ่อ), 1 ตำบล บ้านบ่อ อำเภอเมืองสมุทรสาคร สมุทรสาคร 74000. 8AM - 5PM. Temples with many Buddha statues, some of which are over 300 years old. Unlike many other temples, the building is made of wood.
Do
[edit]- 1 Salt-making lessons (โรงเรียนนาเกลือ), ☏ +6686-524-1021. 8AM - 5PM. Being one a major province that produces sea salt, there is a school that is dedicated to teaching people the art of salt-making, including the whole process, the machinery involved and showcasing the livelihood of the community.
- Whale Watching. The Gulf of Thailand is home to Bryde's whales that can be seen throughout the year. Because of the province's proximity to Bangkok, there are many tour operators operating in the area, mainly in Tambon Phanthai Norasing. The best time to see them is between September to December due to better sea conditions.
Buy
[edit]- Fresh seafood. Being a province on the Gulf of Thailand close to Bangkok, Samut Sakhon is a major hub for fresh seafood caught and delivered to markets daily.
- 1 Mahachai Market (ตลาดมหาชัย) (on the waterfront). 5AM - 6PM. It has a lot of fresh seafood delivered daily every day.
- Sea salt is produced throughout the province. Many visitors stop by the many salt farms to by them at a much cheaper price than what one would get in Bangkok or markets.
- 2 Talad Talay Thai (ตลาดทะเลไทย), 1/2 ถ. พระรามที่ 2 ตำบล ท่าจีน อำเภอเมืองสมุทรสาคร สมุทรสาคร (in tambon Ta Chin). 4AM - 6PM. One of the largest seafood markets in Thailand, located .
Eat
[edit]- 1 New Ros Thip Restaurant (ภัตตาคารนิวรสทิพย์ มหาชัย), 927/43 ข ถนน เศรษฐกิจ 1 ตำบลมหาชัย อำเภอเมืองสมุทรสาคร สมุทรสาคร 74000 (right off Rama II road in the middle of Mahachai), ☏ +6681+819+1786. 10AM - 9PM. A well-known restaurant that has been operating for over 40 years, famous for seafood freshly bought daily from Mahachai market.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Amphawa. On weekends there is a floating market that is popular with local daytrippers from Bangkok.
- Damnoen Saduak. A famous but slightly touristy floating market located an hour away in Ratchaburi, popular with tourists doing a daytrip from Bangkok. Most people pass through Samut Sakhon to get there.
- Hua Hin. A popular beach town for both tourists and locals
| Routes through Samut Sakhon |
| Samut Songkhram ← | W  E
|
→ Bangkok |