Samut Songkhram, a coastal province at the mouth of the Mae
Klong River, is 74 kms. southwest of Bangkok. It occupies an
area of 416 square kilometers. The area is a low basin with many
canals. The people cultivate various kinds of fruits such as
grapes, lychee, pomelo, guava, and coconuts. Don Hoi Lot – Wat Phet Samut Woravihan – This temple is located in the town centre. People come here to pay homage to “Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem”, an old Buddha image enshrined in the chapel. Boats to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market can be hired at the pier near the temple. Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram - This temple is devoted to the Na Bang
Chang family. Originally, this was the house of King Rama II Memorial Park – This park has been erected to
commemorate the “poet king” and patron of the arts who reigned
from 1809-1824. It is a riverside garden believed to have been
a royal place of birth of King Rama II. A group of typical Thai
houses has been constructed in the Wat Bang Khae Yai – Located on the west bank of the Mae Klong River opposite the King Rama II Memorial Park, this temple houses beautiful mural paintings depicting a story about the Thai-Burmese wars. These paintings, completed during the reign of King Rama II, are some of the most important in Thailand. Green, white, red, black, blue and brown coloured powder and glue were used. The value of these paintings lies in the skill of the artists and the historical background. Tao Tan – Sugar palm is famous quality product of Samut Songkhram. When a coconut tree is about 3-4 years old, its spadices are cut, so that farmers can collect its sweet sap, then they simmer it over a fire until it becomes brown and dry. A place where palm sugar is made is called “Tao Tan”. Wat Chulamani – This is an ancient temple located on the bank of Khlong Amphawa. Behind it is an area which used to be the residence of Somdet Phra Amarintharamat and Somdet Phra Suriyentharamat, the Queens of King Rama I and King ama II. This temple was constructed by Thao Kaeo Phlung (Noi), Bang Chang Market Control Officer, who established the Na Bang Chang family name during the Ayutthaya era. Tha Kha Flaoting Market – Orchid Farm – This is 5 kms. from the town. Orchids are widely grown in the area, which partly serves as a beautiful garden. Souvenirs and products of Samut Songkhram are on sale. Church of the Virgin Mary – This is some 4 kms. north of Bang Khonthi district along the route to Bang Nok Khwaek. The catholic church was constructed in 1890 with French Gothic architectures and decorated with stained glass. It is now a place of worship for over 400 Christian families living in this area. Khai Bang Kung – This was once an old navy camp constructed
during the late Ayutthaya period. Inside its area, there is Major 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.
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This famous attraction, it is a bar of worm shells
at the mouth of the Mae Klong River. The shell is plentiful during
the dry season (around April or May). There are many restaurants
and stalls selling a vast variety of seafood products.
King Rama II’s
mother. The chapel as well as the antiques inside the temple
include beautiful art work and architecture from the early Rattanakosin
period.
middle of the area. It is
now used as a museum, which houses a statue of King Rama II and
an exhibition of his works. Trees and plants of all species found
in Thai literature are grown throughout the area. The park is
5 kms. Beyond the town. Visitors may take a local bus from the
town, which runs along the Bang Mun Nak route.
This is a rendezvous of vendor boats
at Tambon Tha Kha, 10 kms from the town. The floating market
takes place on the 2 nd, 7 th and 12 th days of both the waxing
and waning moon of the Thai lunar month, and also operates on
every Saturday and Sunday.
an
old chapel housing a large stucco Buddha image and mural paintings.
Visitors can cross the Mae Klong River by the bridge near the
Church of Virgin Mary, then turn left and continue for another
10 kms.