“Forts of the Navy; Chedi in the river heat; Large Crocodile Farm; beautiful Muang Boran; Songkran Phra Pradaeng; Dried Salid fish; Rab Bua Tradition and Industrial Center”
Samut prakan or Muang paknam, also called “Muang Phra Pradaeng”, is at the end of the Chao Phraya river that flows to the Gulf of Thailand. Located about 29 kilometers south of Bangkok, the city covers a total area of 1,004 square kilometers, most of which are made up of rice fields and plantation, a lot of canalswith no mountains.
The history of Muang Paknam started in Ayuthaya Period with an old town located in Amphoe Phra Pradaeng as a commercial center for foreign freighters. Later, King Taksin the Great of Tonburi had the city wall of Phra pradaeng demolished, while in Rattanakosin Period, King Rama II, seeing that it was a weak point in case of enemy attacks, had Samut Prakan city settled at Tambon Paknam in 2362 B.E. with 6 forts on both sides of the river and a pagoda Phra Samut Chedi in the heart, all of which were completed in the reign of King Rama III with three more forts added.
In 2403 B.E. King Rama V had Phra Samut Chedi renovated and added a sea fort named “Pom Phra Chedichomklao”. At present only two forts Pom Pri Sua Samut and Pom Phra Chulachomklao remain.
4 NEVER-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS
4 outstanding attractions are on the Highway No. 3 toward Chonburi and can be visited within 1 day starting from the Erawan Museum and then Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and zoo before the Ancient City and ending with Sunset and seagulls viewing at Bang Poo Seaside.
1. Erawan Museum
Location: Sukhumvit Road (old routs) on the 12 rai land of Thonburi Auto Co., Ltd.
The museum was inspired by the imagination of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, the founder of Ancient City and Prasat Sajadham, as a place for keeping collections of antiques and cultural heritage. The three-headed elephant Airavata is the world’s first copper sculture of neat hand-made metal cast. The statue and building stand altogether 43.60 meters high, inside of which is divided into 2 part-the upper body called Heavan displaying objects such as powder color painting of the Universe, and invaluable Buddha images.
The lower body of the elephant is made up of the basement or the World displaying antiques with exquisite decorations of mixed arts. The Underground floor or the Underworld is for exhibition and antiques like Buddha images and statues of different periods including chinawares.
The museum is surrounded with flora from literature and Ramayana Epic-depicted scultures. Open for public daily between 08.00-18.00 hrs, the admission fees are 150 baht/adult and 50 baht/kid. Additional information www.erawan-museum.com
2. Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo
Location: Thanon Tayban, about 3 kilometers away From the city
Built in 2493 B.E., this is the world’s largest crocodile farm with over 6,000 crocodile of various sizes. Shows are available daily with crocodiles between 09.00-16.00 hrs (every hour with two more shows at 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs. on holiday), and elephants every hour between 09.30-16.30 hrs.
Other than crocodiles, the farm has such animals as tiger, Chimpanzee, gibbon, turtle, snake, bird, camel, hippo, deer, and fish to see in addition to dinosauras museum. Open for public daily between 07.00-18.00 hrs, admission fees for Thai are 60 bath/adult, 30 bath/kid and for foreigners 300 bath/adult, and 200 bath/kid. Group visit with guide is available on advance contact. More information call 0 2703 4891, 0 2703 5144-8
3. Muang Boran
Location: Tambon Bang Poo Mai at KM. 33 on Sukhumvit Road (old route) about 8 kilometers away From the city.
Muang Boran is divided into 6 zones-South, Central, East, Northeast, North and the Creative zone. A tour can be made by private car or hire a bicycle or by the street car service with a guide.
Muang Boran Tai: The Land of Buddhism
This is a long pointed area of the south sandwiched by sea shores—a landing spot for travelers in the old days and the location of Thailand’s important pagodas which include Phra Boromthat Nakorn Srithammarat; Surat Than’si Phra boromthat Chaiya, Petchaburi’s Hor Phra Tri-Pitaka and Sala Kanparian Wat Yai Suwannaram; Rachaburi’s Phra Prang Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat; and other sites such as the ancient market or Talad bok; Suan I-Nao, Suan Manohra, etc.
Muang Boran Klang: The Administrative Centre of Siam Prates
This is a huge river basin where the Kingdom of Siam is Located since Ayuthaya, Thonburi up to Ratanakosin- the land that prosperity of Siam civilization. Historical monuments include Sanphet prasat Throne; Dusit Prasat Throne; Ho PHra Kaew; Krung Thonburi Royal Hall; SaraburiMondapa of Buddha footprints; Ayuthaya’s ChomThong Throne; Wihara Sanphet, Mooban Thai Klang; Suan Khun Chang-Khun phan, etc.
Muang Boran Nua: The Beauty of Laan Na
The northern area where Sukhothai is located with the gentle buauty and unique Laan Na Art is for visitors to experience such places as Tevalok Park; Floating Market; Phitsanulok’s Phra Prang Wat Chulamanee; Vihara Sukkhothai; Lampang’s Ho Kham; Northern Thai Village; etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork Chiang Nua: The I-san Civilization
This area copies the various pre-historical to historical art and culture traces including local arts. Important archaeological sites include Loei’s Phrathat Sri Songrak; Phrathat Phanom; Khao Phra Vihear; udonthani’s Ho Nang U-sa; Prasat Hin Phimai and Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork: The Siam Fortification
This zone reveals the abundant seashores where eastern cities of economic and political importance are located. Interesting sites are Suan Phra Abhaimanee; Chanburi’s Tuek Daeng; Trad’s Sala Thong Wat Nimitr; Chachoensao fors and city walls; and Sra Kaew’s Stone Sanctuary Satokkokthom.
The Creative Zone: A Reflection of Thai Wisdom
This area, Extended from Thailand’s landscape, displays the systems of Thai society’s thoughts, beliefs, and wisdom. Interesting sites are the Pavilion of The Buddha’s 10 lives Sala Dhosachat; the Giant Swing and Bhraman Bot; the Mondapa of Bhodhisattava Avalokitesavara; the Royal Barge Procession; Sumeru Mountains; etc.
A visit to Muang Boran
Open for public daily between 08.00-17.00 hrs.
Admission fees for Thai are 100 baht/adult and 50 bath/kid, for foreigner are 300 bath/adult and 200 bath/kid (inclusive of bicyclr and street car with Thai-language guide; guide in English a fee of 75 bath/person is required.)
50 bath/private car or van (driver not included)
50 bath/single bicycle and 150 bath/duo bicycle
30 bath/private bicycle
150 bath/adult and 75 bath/kid for passenger street car with a guide
Samut prakan or Muang paknam, also called “Muang Phra Pradaeng”, is at the end of the Chao Phraya river that flows to the Gulf of Thailand. Located about 29 kilometers south of Bangkok, the city covers a total area of 1,004 square kilometers, most of which are made up of rice fields and plantation, a lot of canalswith no mountains.
The history of Muang Paknam started in Ayuthaya Period with an old town located in Amphoe Phra Pradaeng as a commercial center for foreign freighters. Later, King Taksin the Great of Tonburi had the city wall of Phra pradaeng demolished, while in Rattanakosin Period, King Rama II, seeing that it was a weak point in case of enemy attacks, had Samut Prakan city settled at Tambon Paknam in 2362 B.E. with 6 forts on both sides of the river and a pagoda Phra Samut Chedi in the heart, all of which were completed in the reign of King Rama III with three more forts added.
In 2403 B.E. King Rama V had Phra Samut Chedi renovated and added a sea fort named “Pom Phra Chedichomklao”. At present only two forts Pom Pri Sua Samut and Pom Phra Chulachomklao remain.
4 NEVER-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS
4 outstanding attractions are on the Highway No. 3 toward Chonburi and can be visited within 1 day starting from the Erawan Museum and then Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and zoo before the Ancient City and ending with Sunset and seagulls viewing at Bang Poo Seaside.
1. Erawan Museum
Location: Sukhumvit Road (old routs) on the 12 rai land of Thonburi Auto Co., Ltd.
The museum was inspired by the imagination of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, the founder of Ancient City and Prasat Sajadham, as a place for keeping collections of antiques and cultural heritage. The three-headed elephant Airavata is the world’s first copper sculture of neat hand-made metal cast. The statue and building stand altogether 43.60 meters high, inside of which is divided into 2 part-the upper body called Heavan displaying objects such as powder color painting of the Universe, and invaluable Buddha images.
The lower body of the elephant is made up of the basement or the World displaying antiques with exquisite decorations of mixed arts. The Underground floor or the Underworld is for exhibition and antiques like Buddha images and statues of different periods including chinawares.
The museum is surrounded with flora from literature and Ramayana Epic-depicted scultures. Open for public daily between 08.00-18.00 hrs, the admission fees are 150 baht/adult and 50 baht/kid. Additional information www.erawan-museum.com
2. Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo
Location: Thanon Tayban, about 3 kilometers away From the city
Built in 2493 B.E., this is the world’s largest crocodile farm with over 6,000 crocodile of various sizes. Shows are available daily with crocodiles between 09.00-16.00 hrs (every hour with two more shows at 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs. on holiday), and elephants every hour between 09.30-16.30 hrs.
Other than crocodiles, the farm has such animals as tiger, Chimpanzee, gibbon, turtle, snake, bird, camel, hippo, deer, and fish to see in addition to dinosauras museum. Open for public daily between 07.00-18.00 hrs, admission fees for Thai are 60 bath/adult, 30 bath/kid and for foreigners 300 bath/adult, and 200 bath/kid. Group visit with guide is available on advance contact. More information call 0 2703 4891, 0 2703 5144-8
3. Muang Boran
Location: Tambon Bang Poo Mai at KM. 33 on Sukhumvit Road (old route) about 8 kilometers away From the city.
Muang Boran is divided into 6 zones-South, Central, East, Northeast, North and the Creative zone. A tour can be made by private car or hire a bicycle or by the street car service with a guide.
Muang Boran Tai: The Land of Buddhism
This is a long pointed area of the south sandwiched by sea shores—a landing spot for travelers in the old days and the location of Thailand’s important pagodas which include Phra Boromthat Nakorn Srithammarat; Surat Than’si Phra boromthat Chaiya, Petchaburi’s Hor Phra Tri-Pitaka and Sala Kanparian Wat Yai Suwannaram; Rachaburi’s Phra Prang Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat; and other sites such as the ancient market or Talad bok; Suan I-Nao, Suan Manohra, etc.
Muang Boran Klang: The Administrative Centre of Siam Prates
This is a huge river basin where the Kingdom of Siam is Located since Ayuthaya, Thonburi up to Ratanakosin- the land that prosperity of Siam civilization. Historical monuments include Sanphet prasat Throne; Dusit Prasat Throne; Ho PHra Kaew; Krung Thonburi Royal Hall; SaraburiMondapa of Buddha footprints; Ayuthaya’s ChomThong Throne; Wihara Sanphet, Mooban Thai Klang; Suan Khun Chang-Khun phan, etc.
Muang Boran Nua: The Beauty of Laan Na
The northern area where Sukhothai is located with the gentle buauty and unique Laan Na Art is for visitors to experience such places as Tevalok Park; Floating Market; Phitsanulok’s Phra Prang Wat Chulamanee; Vihara Sukkhothai; Lampang’s Ho Kham; Northern Thai Village; etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork Chiang Nua: The I-san Civilization
This area copies the various pre-historical to historical art and culture traces including local arts. Important archaeological sites include Loei’s Phrathat Sri Songrak; Phrathat Phanom; Khao Phra Vihear; udonthani’s Ho Nang U-sa; Prasat Hin Phimai and Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork: The Siam Fortification
This zone reveals the abundant seashores where eastern cities of economic and political importance are located. Interesting sites are Suan Phra Abhaimanee; Chanburi’s Tuek Daeng; Trad’s Sala Thong Wat Nimitr; Chachoensao fors and city walls; and Sra Kaew’s Stone Sanctuary Satokkokthom.
The Creative Zone: A Reflection of Thai Wisdom
This area, Extended from Thailand’s landscape, displays the systems of Thai society’s thoughts, beliefs, and wisdom. Interesting sites are the Pavilion of The Buddha’s 10 lives Sala Dhosachat; the Giant Swing and Bhraman Bot; the Mondapa of Bhodhisattava Avalokitesavara; the Royal Barge Procession; Sumeru Mountains; etc.
A visit to Muang Boran
Open for public daily between 08.00-17.00 hrs.
Admission fees for Thai are 100 baht/adult and 50 bath/kid, for foreigner are 300 bath/adult and 200 bath/kid (inclusive of bicyclr and street car with Thai-language guide; guide in English a fee of 75 bath/person is required.)
50 bath/private car or van (driver not included)
50 bath/single bicycle and 150 bath/duo bicycle
30 bath/private bicycle
150 bath/adult and 75 bath/kid for passenger street car with a guide
