| 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 Khlong (can al) 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. |
 |
Samut
Sakhon occupies a total area of 872 square kilometres
and is administratively divided into 3 districts: Muang Samut Sakhon,
Krathum Baen, and Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port and also the
biggest producer of brine salt. |
