Samut
Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is situated at the end or mouth of
the Chao Phraya River at the head of the Gulf of Thailand; it is
popularly called by the people "Muang Pak Nam". It
occupies an area of 1,004 square kilometers, located only 25
kilometers from Bangkok.
Samut Prakan was established in the
Ayutthaya period having the original site at Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
and called Muang Phra Pradaeng.
During the reign of King Rama II,
he commanded to have Muang Samut Prakan be reestablished at Tambon
Pak Nam in the year 1819 and it took three years to complete.
Currently, Samut Prakan Province is administratively divided into
five Amphoes: Muang, Phra Pradaeng, Bang Phli, Bang Bo, and Phra
Samut Chedi.
Samut Prakan Attractions:
Phra Samut Chedi This pagoda is popularly
called by the people "Phra Chedi Klang
Nam" due to its original site on an island
amidst the river. It is currently located
close to the bank of the Chao Phraya River
opposite the Provincial Hall. It was constructed
during the reign of King Rama II in the year
1826 and completed in the Pagoda for nine
days and nine nights, commencing the fifth
waning moon day of the 11th lunar month.
Phra Chulachomklao Fortress This fortress,
popularly called by the people "Pom Phra
Chun", was constructed during the reign
of King Rama V in the year 1893, and is located
seven kilometers from Phra Samut Chedi on
Suksawat Road. The Royal Thai Navy sank a
French warship, invading Thai waters, by firing
from this fortress. The binoculars and the
ancient cannons are still kept in this fortress
and a visit can be made with a permit issued
by the Public Relations Section, The Royal
Thai Navy.
The
Ancient City This park, located in the
vicinity of Tambon Bang Pu Mai, Amphoe Muang
at Km.33.5 of Sukhumvit Road, house replicas
of important places of worship of various
provinces. Some of those are miniaturized
and some are actual sizes. It is also center
of interesting folk arts and culture. Further
details can be obtained at the Ancient City
Company Limited Tel:2261936,2241057
Bang
Pu Seaside Resort This place is located
in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Pu Mai, about
10 kilometers from Amphoe Muang. It is a rest
and vacation place. A beautiful garden and
restaurant inside the landscape make it suitable
for dining and viewing the pleasant scenery.
Crocodile
Farm It is located in the vicinity of
Tambon Thaiban, three kilometers from the
township. It is claimed to be the world's
largest crocodile farm reproducing crocodiles
whose skins will be utilized for leather ware
production while their flesh is exported to
the market. Beside crocodiles of all stages
of age, the farm also raises elephants,
tigers, chimpanzies. Crocodile wrestling and
feeding are demonstrated everyday.
In
addition, visitors will enjoy dinosaur
museum, where more than 13 species of
life-size creatures of dinosaurs and skeletons
are on display, and a slide multi vision presenting
stories on extinct animals and human beings.
Further detail can be obtained through Tel:3871166,3871168,3782375
and 3870020
Paklat
Songkran Festival This is a very famous
and enjoyable annual festival falling on Sunday
following Songkran Day (April 13). The inhabitants
of Muang Phra Pradaeng with the cooperation
of Muang Phra Pradaeng Municipality conduct
the festival according to the Monus original
tradition including the Nang Songkran procession,
the setting free of birds and fishes, and
playing various games which originated with
Mon people.
