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. In 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 Klong (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. Attractions Mahachai Market – Wat Yai Chom Prasat – 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 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 Bird Watching – Wat Ratsatthakayara in 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 – Local Products Bencharong – This craft is a form of exquisitely patterned pottery, which was used at the tables of the aristocracy. Its name means “five colours” – usually red, black, blue, yellow, green –and only these five may be used to decorate it, although sometimes gold is added. The glaze 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 Bencharong 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, grapes and guavas.
|
This is one of the 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.
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.
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 the 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 2 hours.
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.