The Emblem of Samutprakarn

Introduction

Samutprakarn Province widely know as "Muang Pak Nam" is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya  River , north  to  the  Gulf of Thailand and twenty-five kilometers from Bangkok. The whole area  covers  1,004  square  kilometers  of  alluvial  plain,  crisscrossed  by canals, causing some areas  to  be  flooded.  The  water  in  these  canals is briney in the dry season. Most of the area is covered   with   paddy  fields  and  orchards,  with  groves  of  Samae  (a  small  tree  of  the  family Myrsinaceae),  prong  (a  plant  of  the  genus  Cycas), the mangrove and nipa palms. Well known goods  from  this  province  are "Khanom  Chak"  or  sweetened sticky rice wrapped by nipa palm leaves and dried gourami. Boundary North South East West Connects with Bangkok Provinces. Connects with The Gulf of Thailand Provinces. Connects with Chacherngsao Provinces. Connects with Samutsakorn Provinces. Administration The administration of Samutprakarn Province is divided into five districts      -   Muang Samutprakarn      -   Bang Pli      -   Phra Pradaeng      -   Bang Boh      -   Phra Samut Chedi.

 

History

Samutprakarn  was  founded  during  the Ayutthaya Period. The administrative center of the old community,  known  as  Muang  Prapadaeng, was in an area currently the location of Prapadaeng District. It was a sea port for foreign mechandise ships that traded with Thailand.      Along  the  coast,  forts,  town  moats  and  town-walls were constructed as a stronghold against hostile forces. During the Thonburi Period, King Tak Sin ordered dismantlement of the town-walls. In  the  Ratanakosin  Period,  King  Rama II  was  afraid that this town might have been used by the enemy  as  a route to transport their troops and supplies. The King thus had Muang Samutprakarn constructed  in  Tambon  Paknam in 1819. The construction was completed in three years, with six forts  being  built on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. Only three could be finished in this reign -- Prakaisit Fort, Nagaraj Fort and Phi Sua Samut Fort. King Rama II visited the site of construction several times.      By  the royal command, a chedi, by the name of "Phra Samut Chedi," was erected on an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River.      Unfortunately,  the  King passed away before the completion of the whole new town, leaving the construction  to  be  resumed  and  completed  in the reign of King Rama III, with three more forts to be  added - Tri  Petch  Fort,  Kongkapun Fort and Sua Sonlep Fort.King Rama V Pra Samut Chedi renovated  the  height  of  the  chedi  being  elevated,  and  one  more  fort by the coast being built, named  "Phra  Chulachomklao  Fort". At present, only Phi Sua Smut Fort and Phra Chilachomklao Fort remain a good condition whereas others are dilapidated.

How to get there

By Waterway      The Chao Phraya River, passing through Phra Pradaeng and Muang Districts in Samutprakarn Province  to  the Gulf of Thailand, is a waterway to Bangkok. Besides, there are numerous canals, namely,  Klong  They,  Klong  Dan, Klong Samrong, Klong Sanpasamit, Klong Pravesburirom and Klong Phro Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit. By Road      Sukhumvit Road (the old route) is a highway from Bangkok leading to Samutprakarn Province.      Air-conditioned  bused Por Or 6 (Pakkred-Phra Pradaeng), Por Or 7 (Talad Phu-Samrong), Por Or 8 (Tha Rajavoradit-Pak Nam), Por Or 11 (Bang Lumpu-Pak Nam), Por Or 13 (Ragsit-Phu Chao Samingplai), and Por Or 126 (Nontaburi-Samrong).