Samut Sakhon is a small coastal province which is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. It was a trading port called Tha Chin or Chinese pier in the old days of Ayutthaya Kingdom around 500 years ago. The main river running through this province is the Tha Chin River. It can be said that Samut Sakhon is a leading producer of sea salting farming in the country. The province has abundant historical places and
attractions worth visiting. From Bangkok, visitors can easily travel there by car or train.
What to see and do?
Benjarong is the Thai painted porcelain which literally means five colors: white, black, green, yellow, and red, and these primary colors can be mixed into a lot of shades. It is believed that the Chinese white
porcelain was imported from China during the Ming Dynasty. Then the Thais have developed their finest porcelain with their own unique design and pattern called Benjarong. Located in Krathum Baen district, Benjarong village of Ban Don Kai Dee is one of the most famous Benjarong communities in Thailand. It has won many national awards including ‘Best Handicraft Village Award’, and it becomes a tourist spot. The village preserves the wisdom of creating Thai Benjarong products which are most sought after by hotels, restaurants, spas, and government agencies. Actually, there is a wide range of products starting from 25 to hundred thousands THB that attract both art enthusiasts and ordinary people.
Another interesting activity is visiting temples as there are many of them in Samut Sakhon and some were built in the Ayutthaya period. The architectural style dating back more than a century and the
beautiful mural painting inside the ordination halls are fantastic. Highlighted temples are Wat Chong Lom, Wat Krok Krak, Wat Pa Chai Rang Si, Wat Nang Sao, and Wat Yai Chom Prasat.
One of the biggest seafood markets in the country that visitors should not miss is Mahachai Market. Prices of fresh seafood here are reasonable. In addition, dolphin and whale watching is also possible in
Samut Sakhon. The Irrawaddy dolphin and the Bryde’s whale can be spotted in Tha Chin estuary, Muang district.
