This province was originally called as _gTha Chin_h 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 verbally well known as Tambon _gTha Chin_h. In 1548, during the reign of Phra Maha Chakkraphat, many new cities were established with the royal aims to gather power to fight with the Burmese. Ban Tha Chin, hence, was upgraded to Mueang _gSakhon Buri_h to be an outpost city preventing the invasion of enemies arriving by sea. Until the reign of King Rama IV, the city_fs name was changed into Mueang Samut Sakhon.
During the reign of King Rama V, he conducted governance reform by organizing the regional bureaucratic system in the form of a circle called _gMonthon Thesaphiban_h and announced the establishment of Thailand_fs 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 _gMueang_h to _gChangwat_h-province- throughout the country. Mueang Samut Sakhon was changed to _gChangwat Samut Sakhon_h as it is still known at the present time. The word _gMaha Chai_h 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.
Samut Sakhon covers an area of 872 square kilometres and is divided into 3 districts (Amphoes); namely, Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Krathum Baen and Amphoe Ban Phaeo.
'''Boundary'''
'''Traveling from Bangkok can be done by many routes 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 Km. 28. 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 Km. 25, 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.
The Transport Company Limited. provides buses to Samut Sakhon everyday from 4.20 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. For more details, please contact the Southern Bus Terminal, Borommaratchachonnani Road at Tel. 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 5605 (air-conditioned bus) or www.transport.co.th
The State Railway of Thailand provides trains leaving Wongwian Yai Station many times a day from 5.30 a.m. to 8.10 p.m. to Maha Chai Station or cross the river by boat to Ban Laem Station and take a train to Mae Klong Station, Samut Songkhram. For more details, please contact Wongwian Yai Railway Station at Tel. 0 2465 2017, 0 2890 6260 and Maha Chai Railway Station at Tel. 0 3441 1003 or www.railway.co.th
'''Wat Yai Chom Prasat (????????????????)''' is situated in Tambon Tha Chin, 4 kilometres from the centre of the province. It can be accessible by taking Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri - Pak Tho Road) at Km. 31 at the foot of the Tha Chin Bridge. It is an ancient temple aged approximately 400 years. It is assumed to have been constructed in the Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat. During the reign of King RamaV, the king gave its name as _gWat Yai Sakhon Buri_h, as well as, the Tripitaka and its status as a royal temple. Inside the temple, there are important historical remains. The ancient Wihan made of bricks and cement has a base that is a curve similar to the shape of the bottom of a junk. The arches of the doors and windows are elaborately decorated with stucco reliefs. There are also wood-carved panels of the doors and windows of the Phra Ubosot in the patterns of flowers, trees, mountains, animals and persons. The designs are in the Chinese style of art, beautifully engraved in sharp relief on the wood. The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as a national ancient monument on 27 September, 1936.
'''Wat Suthiwat Wararam (?????????????????) or Wat Chong Lom (?????????)''' is located on the mouth of Ao Samut Sakhon, Tambon Tha Chalom, opposite the centre of Samut Sakhon. It is accessible by taking Highway No. 35 and turning left at Km. 35 into Sutthiwatwithi for 3 kilometres. Wat Chong Lom is a beautifully decorated royal temple and a model of the developed one. At the front of the temple is enshrined a statue of King Rama V, celebrating his royal journey to Tha Chalom and its establishment as the first sanitary district of Thailand. Within the temple_fs area, there is a statue of Kuan Im or Bodhisattra Kwan Yin created by the locals of Samut Sakhon to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty_fs Accession to the Throne.
'''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 _gHuman Beings and Measurement and Calculation_h, 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.
'''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.
'''Phanthai Norasing Shrine (?????????????????)''' is located in Tambon Khok Kham. It is accessible by taking Ekkachai Road into Highway No. 3423 (Wat Sahakon - Phanthai Norasing Shrine) for 15 kilometres. This shrine was constructed in memory of Phanthai Norasing, when he was a steersman of the Ekkachai royal barge and the prow of the barge hit a big branch of a tree by Khlong Khok Kham, breaking the figurehead of the barge. Phanthai Norasing asked the king Phrachao Suea, to execute him in accordance with the royal family law. Phrachao Suea had Phanthai Norasing executed against the former_fs own consent, ordered the construction of a temporary shrine and put Phanthai Norasing_fs head, as well as, the broken figurehead of the Ekkachai royal barge in the shrine to be a symbol of his honesty and loyalty. Then, the Fine Arts Department constructed a new shrine as the original one had fallen down. Inside, there is a life-size statue of Phanthai Norasing in the position of steering at the stern of the barge, respected among the locals.
'''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. A straight shortcut through the curving canal was dug by the order of Phrachao Suea at the execution spot. Chaophraya Ratchasongkhram was a leader of 3,000 soldiers in the operation of digging the shortcut in 1705, connecting with the Tha Chin River. The shortcut was 5 Wa-width and 6 Sok-depth and was finished in 1709 in the reign of King Thai Sa. The king gave its name as _gKhlong Sanam Chai_h and this was later changed into _gKhlong Maha Chai_h. However, it is called by the locals as _gKhlong Than_h. At the mouth of Khlong Maha Chai, next to Khlong Khok Kham is situated another shrine of Phanthai Norasing.
'''Pom Wichian Chodok (???????????????)''' is located in Tambon Maha Chai, 200 metres from the City Hall. It was constructed in 1828 during the reign of King Rama III because in that period, there was a conflict with the Vietnamese on Chao Anuwong of Vientiane. King Rama III was concerned that the Vietnamese might invade Thailand. Therefore, he commanded Phraya Choduek Ratchasetthi (Thongchin) to be the leader in the construction of a fortress protecting the mouth of the Tha Chin River in Samut Sakhon and called it _gPom Wichian Chodok_h. The fortress was made of bricks and cement with no guarding station, but fighting ones, while at the opening in the wall laid the cannons preventing the enemies coming through the mouth of the river.
'''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.
'''Talat Maha Chai (Tharuea Thetsaban) (??????????, ?????????????)''' is situated on the bank of the Tha Chin River, near Pom Wichian Chodok and the city pillar shrine, 200 metres from the city hall. It is a centre of commerce and transport of Samut Sakhon. Talat Maha Chai is a spot where there are boats to various districts. There are charters as well as regular long-tailed boats to Khlong Khok Kham.
'''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.
'''Wat Pa Chai Rangsi (??????????????)''' is situated on the bank of the Tha Chin River, Tambon Ban Ko. Take Setthakit Road (Highway No. 3091) for approximately 5 kilometres, turn left at the milestone of Km.16 (opposite the Electricity Sub-station) for 1.5 kilometres and turn right for 200 metres to the temple. The temple was constructed in 1982. Its unique pattern of architecture, similar to the stone sanctuaries in the Northeast is the most interesting aspect of the temple.
'''Wat Bang Pla (?????????)''' is situated in Tambon Ban Ko, on the bank of the Tha Chin River. Take Setthakit Road for 5 kilometres and turn left into the same entrance as Wat Pa Chai Rangsi for 4 kilometres to the temple. Wat Bang Pla is an important temple of the Mon minority in Samut Sakhon. Traditionally, there had to be a main temple in the Mon community, so that during important festivals such as the end of the Buddhist Lent Day, monks from other temples had to gather together to conduct the ceremony. King Rama V went to the temple when Luangpu Thao Kao Yot was the abbot. Moreover, Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak had a long covered walkway constructed with its eaves board being beautifully engraved.
'''Ao Maha Chai Mangrove Forest Natural Resource Study Centre (???????????????????????????????????????)''' is situated in Tambon Ban Ya Phraek, at the mouth of the right side of the Tha Chin River. Take Sutthiwatwithi Road for 2.5 kilometres and turn right for 6 kilometres to the centre. The centre is located in the area of the National Forest Reserve on the western side of Ao Maha Chai. It covers an area of 3,872 rai, suitable for an educational and research centre on the mangrove ecological system at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. Within the centre area, there is a space for camping for those who are interested in participating in planting in the mangrove as well.
'''Shrimp Farms and Salt Fields (?????????????)''' Samut Sakhon_fs beaches are appropriate for operating shrimp farms and salt fields, especially in Tambon Kalong, Tambon Na Khok, Tambon Ban Bo, Tambon Bang Thorat, Tambon Khok Kham and Tambon Phanthai Norasing. Moreover, along the Thon Buri - Pak Tho Road, connecting with Samut Sakhon are many salt fields and salt on sale. Various kinds of birds also fly across the road, while the windmills whirl, creating a splendid panoramic view.
'''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. According to legend, Sakhon Buri is a beach town in the south of Ayutthaya city. During a war in then Burma, a group of Thai people immigrated along the Tha Chin River. The elderly and women hid in the ancient Phra Ubosot. Later, the Thais helped one another in fighting with the Burmese troops and gained victory. The immigrants then, settled in the area. Among them, 2 sisters who once had taken refuge in the Phra Ubosot, had an idea to renovate it. However, the elder one realized that the temple was too damaged and thus, built a new one instead. Therefore, the younger sister would like to do as promised that if they survived, they would have the temple renovated. Therefore, she finished the renovation and called it _gWat Phrommachari_h. Later, it was called _gWat Nong Sao_h. At present, it is eroded into _gWat Nang Sao_h. The important ancient monument of the temple is a brick ordination hall on a curved base similar to a junk with one entrance which is called _gBot Maha Ut_h. It has the ancient style of a terracotta tiled roof, whose beams were made of logs and twin sandstone boundary markers. In the area, in front of the temple next to the Tha Chin River is located a fish sanctuary, full of striped catfish. It is well-known among tourists who usually come to visit and feed the fish.
'''Plong Liam (????????????)''' 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.
It is believed that the Portuguese who resided in Thailand during that period might support the villagers to plant sugar cane to supply sugar factories because in the past, this area was a good location for planting cane as evident from many sugarcane press factories, which are called by the locals as _gRong Hip_h. Later, due to the geographical change, some of the canals linked to one another. The tide could run through 3 areas of Lat Tha Pla, Lat Hang Pla and Lat Ko, making sea water flood the sugarcane field. When there was no sugarcane to supply the factories, the Portuguese sugarcane press factories and sugar factories had to stop their businesses and have been left deserted until the present.
''To get there:'' Take Phetchakasem Road, passing Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Intersection to the Flora Inn Intersection (1 kilometre before the elephant show space) and turn left for approximately 4 kilometres, passing Wat Tha Kham, cross the Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge to Wat Thian Dat ? Suan Phak Intersection. Then, go straight on for approximately 3 kilometres to Wat Tha Mai and go further for 500 metres and turn right for 500 metres.
'''Cruising''' is one of the interesting water activities for tourists in Samut Sakhon. The route starts from the Phanthai Norasing Shrine at Khlong Khok Kham. Enjoy the panoramic view of mangroves, pass Khlong Phitthayalongkon to Ban Pak Khlong Pramong and witness the lifestyle of the fishermen and how to do mussels farming. Tourists who are interested can rent a boat for 500-600 Baht for a round trip which takes 1-2 hours. For more details, please contact Khun Narin Bunruam at Tel. 0 3441 2490, 0 9491 6011.
'''Orchard and Flower Garden Tour''' in Amphoe Krathum Baen and Amphoe Ban Phaeo. In both districts, the locals do orchards, vegetable plantation, orchid farms and coconut groves. The former one is famous for the orchards of Nam Hom (fragrant juice) coconuts, pomelos and orchid farms along Setthakit Road (3091), while in the latter, there are vineyards and guava orchards along Highway No. 3097. Apart from the orchard tour, tourists will have an opportunity to see the process of making coconut sugar and traditional Thai desserts such as Thong Yip, Foi Thong and Met Khanun.
Seafood Festival takes place during February or March every year at the embarkment in front of the City Pillar Shrine to promote the reputation of seafood products of the province, as well as, the agricultural produce of the Ban Phaeo people such as fruits, flowers, including the processed food industry. Also, there is a fair offering seafood and handicraft products.
Ban Phaeo Agriculture Fair is organized during February or March every year to promote the agricultural produce of the farmers in Amphoe Ban Phaeo, the most well-known place in the province and the biggest one in the country for the production of fruits, flowers and agricultural products.
Chaopho Lak Mueang Procession takes place in June every year at the embarkment and in front of the city hall. Chaopho Lak Mueang will be placed in a palanquin onto a fishing boat, beautifully decorated with flags and floated along the Tha Chin River from Talat Maha Chai to Tha Chalom in the area of Wat Suwannaram and further to Wat Chong Lom, providing an opportunity for the people to pay respect for good fortune.
Tha Chalom Vegetarian Festival is organized during the period of days 1-9 of the waxing moon in the 9th Chinese lunar month every year. It is a serene vegetarian festival full of a ceremonial atmosphere, as well as, spirit and body purification attended by a large number of people.
Honey Offering Festival takes place in Wat Khlong Khru, Amphoe Mueang, Samut Sakhon, on the full moon of the 10th lunar month to pass on the traditional culture and festival of the Thai Mon people in paying respect to the monk. The monk will preserve the honey and use it as medicine in the necessary time. The Thai Mon people believe that those who offer honey to the monk will obtain good luck back and will be prosperous in money and honour both in this and in the next life.
Bodhisattva Kwan Yin Homage-paying Fair takes place during 19-23 November every year in the area of Wat Chong Lom to provide a chance for the public and tourists to pay homage to Bodhisattva Kwan Yin.
'''SOUVENIR SHOP'''
'''Tips for Visiting a Temple/Museum/Ancient Monument'''