Samut Songkhram or Mae Klong or Suan Nok(outside garden) was a part of Mueang Ratchaburi in the past. The old name of Mae Klong is Bang Chang which was centered at Tambon Amphawa, Samut Songkhram (from the district at present). During the transition from the Ayutthaya to the Thon Buri periods, it was separated from Ratchaburi and named Mueang Mae Klong. Samut Songkhram was historically important during the establishment of Thon Buri as the kingdom’s capital by King Taksin the Great. When the Burmese led an army to Tambon Bang Kung, the king gathered the people to build a fort and prevent the city from capture by the Burmese troops. This was an important act against the Burmese invaders at that time.
Mueang Mae Klong (actually pronounced "Mae Glawng", changed its name into Samut Songkhram but the actual year is not known. It is assumed it occurred in 1752 to 1756 because the name of the province first appeared in the evidence from the first Thai enacted law: Later, a decree was found,issued from the reign of King Borom Urn Baromgoate in 1756 and was identified as ordered to The Lord Rattanathibet, the Grand marshal of the Court. Apparently Kun Wisetvanish(Chean Ar Pan Teck), Kun Thip, and Meun Rukka Auksorn were daring ask to establish casinos in Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi and Samut Prakan.
Take Highway 35 (Thon Buri - Pak Tho or Rama II Road), past the Na Kluea - Maha Chai Intersection. At around Km 63, take the elevated way into the town of Samut Songkhram.
The Transport Company Limited offers a daily bus service between Bangkok and Samut Songkhram, leaving the Southern Bus Terminal on Borommaratchachonnani Road from 05:40. - 21:00. For an air-conditioned bus (Damnoen Tour), call Tel. 0 2435 5031, or visit http://www.transport.co.th.
Minibuses can be taken from both Victory Monument (under the railway line towards Phaya Thai station about 100 metres); and also from out the back of the Southern Bus terminal.
From the former is 70 baht, and the latter is 60 baht.
You will probably find that your destination is referred to as Maekhlong, and the minibuses from both places drop you off about 200 metres from the in town bus station (to your left as you come in), and next to a police post. This doubles as a tourist enquiry centre, and will provide a map if you ask. However the map is totally in the Thai language.
Minibuses may be taken from Nakhon Pathom, the Province to the immediate north.
You will need to ask there where the minibus leaves from, as it is not within the city centre. Another minibus will get you to this point for B20.
It travels along road 325 past the roads to Amphawa Floating market, and Bang Kung Camp before arriving in the city centre.
From the Wongwian Yai Railway Station in Bangkok, there are several daily trains to Maha Chai (Samut Sakhon). Once you arrive here, leave the station to the left, and walk about 200 metres to the main road. Turn left into the main road, and walk 200 metres to the City pier. Take a boat from this Maha Chai Pier (for 3 baht - they operate 24/7) to the Tha Chalom Pier and take a tuktuk the 2km to the Ban Laem Railway Station. From here go the trains to the city of Samut Songkhram (also known as Maekhlong).
Or take a bus from the Maha Chai Railway Station straight to the town. You may need to walk out to the main road for a minibus.
For a train schedule, contact the Wongwian Yai Railway Station, Tel. 0 2465 2017, 0 2890 6260, or visit http://www.railway.co.th.
Bang Kung Camp (Kai Bang Kung) is a navy camp site with historical significance, particularly during the reign of King Taksin the Great. After the second loss of Ayutthaya in 1767 to the invading Burmese army, the King relocated his navy here. A wall was built, and made into a temple (Wat Bang Kung) and this temple in addition to being the actual centre of the camp, was also the spiritual centre.
The King later ordered Chinese soldiers (who were fighting with him), to guard the camp.
About a year later, Ayuttaya was successfully reclaimed, and the camp was then abandoned for the next 200 years until the government built a shrine in memory of Taksin the Great.
Within the camp is an ordination hall built in the Ayuttaya period. There is also a replica wall and this was built to celebrate King Taksin's battle with the invaders.
To get to the camp, it is 6 kilometres north on the main road 325. You will see a sign on the left just before you come to the Amphawa sign (also on the left). The road to there is winding, so check the signs when you come to a turn or you will get lost!! It is about 5Km along the road from the turnoff. At the site itself, there is little to see. The main attraction is the Temple which is surrounded by a large tree (literally!!). There is also a military memorial. Many people go there however, and there is food and souvenirs etc.
Wat Bang Kung is the old temple from the Ayutthaya period. It is opposite Bang Kung Camp by the road through. This temple has many interesting things, for instance: ancient texts which talk about ancient medicines. The front of the temple is adjacent to the Mae Klong River. There are many freshwater fish and the people call this place “Macha Palace”.
Wat Charoen Sukharam Worawiharn is located along Bang Nok Khwaek canal (Damnoen Saduak canal). The original temple as built has since been abandoned, but there is no record as to the date. It was newly renovated in 1883,and called “Wat Klang Klong” or “Wat Ton Chom Poo”. Then, local people created “Bang Nok Khwaek Sluice” in 1908, people called the temple “Wat Pratoo Nam Bang Nok Khwaek” before it was changed into “Wat Charoen Sukharam” and it was promoted to be a major temple in 1957 and called “Wat Charoen Sukharam Worawiharn”.
In the temple, there is Luang Pho To its principal Buddha image. It is made of laterite, 1.8 m base width, 2 m high from base to top. Luang Pho To was enshrined at the temple that had been abandoned in Ratchaburi before being respectfully engaged to this temple.
The front of this temple is adjacent to Damnoen Saduak canal. There are many fish here,and most are silver carp. This area also offers pedal boats for visitors to ride along the canal. The local people call this area Macha park.
The temple is located in the far north of the province, just before the Ratchaburi border, in the northern Amphoe just off the main road coming from the Cathedral.
In the far north of the province in the northern amphoe close to the Ratchaburi border, there were several Chinese Catholic families which then grew to 200 Catholics in 1847, and they built a Church.
In 1890, Archbishop Paul Salmon (or as the locals called him) "Luang Pho Pao" was funded by his brethren in France, the Board of Foreign Mission Club of Paris and Rome and they financed the building of the Nativity of Our Lady Church.
In 1965 it became a diocese,and was therefore called a Cathedral from this date.
This cathedral was built over a century ago. It is Gothic art of France. Furthermore, it was built from burnt bricks, mortared with low sugar syrup from black cane. The interior is decorated with stained glass from France. It tells about a narrative of the Virgin Mary from the Bible and images of male and female saints, has statues as are described in the Bible. It is a beautiful church and located on Mae Klong River.
To get there, you need to go to the northern amphoe, close to the border with Ratchaburi, and this Cathedral includes in the Diocese the Provinces of Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Kanchanaburi, and Phetchaburi.
This park is a project in honour of King Rama II and has been recognised by UNESCO. It was opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 31 March 1979, and the park was opened to the public on 1 June 1987.
It is established on 4.4 acres of land to commemorate the King's patronage of arts and culture (he was actually born here).
King Rama II Memorial park is divided into six sections and these show art objects of the early Rattanakosin period, and show the way of life of people during the period.
Some of these are the main hall, with the king's statue and old artifacts.
There is also a mens' and a womens' dormitory, which shows the lifestyle of the genders in that era.
In addition there is an outdoor theatre, a botanical garden, as well as souvenir shops.
Opening hours are 0900 to 1800. For information phone 0 3475 1367.
The park is in Amphawa district, close to the floating market.