Changwat Samut Sakhon was formerly called Muang Tha Chin probable due to its dealing with a vast number of Chinese junk in the old days. Later, in the year 1548 during King Phra Maha Chakkrapha reign, he commanded Muang Tha Chin to be used as the center for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. He changed the name from Tha chin to Sakhon Buri. In the year 1704, King Sua made a royal visit to Ekkachai (the royal barge) through Khok Kham Canal which is very curvy. Phanthai Norasing, the coxswain, could not operate the prope steering, thus, causing damage to the prow due to hitting the limb of a tree. To forster the steadiness of the palace law, Phanthai Norasing begged the king to slaughter him. King Sua then commanded to have a new canal dug to eliminate the sharp curves of Khok Kham Canal and the mouth c the new canal meets the Tha Chin River in front of Mahachai Town However, this new canal was completed in the reign of King Thaisa also named Khlong Mahachai thus causing the people to call this town Muan Mahachai. Still, later it was renamed Samut Sakhon during the reign of King Rama IV but is often popularly called Mahachai by the villlagers.

Samut Sakhon is administratively divided into three Amphoe; Muang Samut Sakhon, Krathum Baen, and Ban Phaeo; it occupies a total area of 872 square kilometers. It is located 28 kilometers from Bangkok along Highway No. 35, the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway and 38 kilometer along Highway No.4, the Petchakasem Highway through Setthakit I Road passing Amphoe Krathum Baen township area before reaching the city site.

SAMUT SAKHON's ATTRACTIONS

Wat Yai Chom Prasat This is an ancient monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Th Chin, Amphoe Muang and presumed to have been built during th Ayutthaya era. Door panels of the Ubosot having sophisticated beautiful wood carving work in various floral designs are the main attraction of this place.

Wat Sutthi Wata Wararam This monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Tha Chalom, Amphoe Muang is an old monastery built in the Ayutthaya period. Religion places in this monastery have been beautifully renovated. There is a monument of King Rama V situated within a corner of the decorative plants garden. While visiting this monastery, one can view the scenery at the mouth of the Tha Chin River too.

Wichian Chodok Fortress This fortress located in the township area of Samut Sakhon was constricted during the third reign (around A.D.1827) to prevent sea invasion by an enemy. It can he seen as ruins nowadays. The cannons which used to be housed in the fortress were moved to he displayed in front of the City Pillar Shrine and Sala Klang.

Phanthai Norasing Shrine This shrine is the Monument of Honesty in fostering the steadiness of the palace law governing members of the royal household. The shrine was formerly located in Khlong Khok Kham but later on the water became shallow, the people then moved the shrine to be located on the bank of Khlong Mahachai. It is accessible by hiring a boat from Mahachai Market Landing at the rate of 200 Baht per hour to cruise along canal to visit the shrine.

Open Marine Aquarium A marine biological and aquacultural research institute for educational and economic purposes, the open aquarium is located at Tambon Bang Ya Phraek Amphoe Muang. Boat trip for Samut Sakhon's coastal fishery sight-seeing is available.

Wat Ratsatthakayaram This monastery is located in the vicinity of Tambon Lak Sam, Amphoe Ban Phaeo. The interesting attraction (besides the religious places) is the residence of thousands of birds and crows among the bushes in the Wat compound. Tourists and interested persons can make a worthy trip there for bird watching.

Khlong Pho Hak Floating Market This floating market, located in the vicinity of Amphoe Ban Phaeo takes place everyday from 06.00 to 12.00 hours except the Buddhist Sabbath day. To access the market one can travel from Ban Phaeo Market by a long propeller shaft boat (called a long tail boat) for a distance of eight kilometers.

Fruit Orchard Visit Within the area of Changwat Samut Sakhon at Amphoe Krathum Baen and Ban Phaeo the people earn their living by growing fruits, trees, vegetables, orchids, coconut plantation, etc. The outstanding fruit orchards in the vicinity of Amphoe Krathum Baen are: coconut having a nice aroma milk, sweet pomelo, and sapota, but the outstanding fruit orchards of Amphoe Ban Phaeo are grape, and guava. Besides visiting the fruit orchards one can also view the process of coconut sugar production of the same trip.

Salt Production Visit Another important occupation of Samut Sakhon inhabitants is salt production. Here is considered the largest source of salt production in Thailand-. Along the road-side of Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway where the territory of Samut Sakhon meets Samut Songkhram, there are several salt production fields and any visitor may stop over to visit.