Samut Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is located 29 kilometres south of Bangkok, around the area where the Chao Phraya River flows into the Gulf of Thailand. It is a town of the Ayutthaya period. Samut Prakan is home to countless historical and cultural sites. It occupies an area of 1,004 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 5 districts (Amphoes) and 1 sub-district (Ging Amphoe); Amphoe Muang Samut Prakan, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng, Amphoe Bang Phli, Amphoe Bang Bo, Amphoe Phra Sumut Chedi, and Ging Amphoe Bang Sao Thong.
What to See
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo
It was built in 1950 as Thailand's first crocodile farm. It is now the world's largest crocodile farm. It is situated at Tambon Tai Ban, 3 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. The farm has over 60,000 crocodiles of different kinds in various pits. Daily shows feature catching crocodiles bare-handed. Shows take place every hour from 09.00-17.00., except at noon; additional shows at 12.00 and 17.00 on holidays. Feeding time is between 16.30 - 17.30. Another star attraction for visitors is the elephant show of which performances are held daily every hour from 09.30 -16.30. Furthermore, you can see tigers, chimpanzees, and other animals such as gibbons, turtles, boa constrictors, pythons, birds, camels, hippopotamuses, and of various species of fishes
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There is even a Dinosaur Museum which has on display life-size models and skeletons of more than 13 kinds of dinosaurs and also features a multi-vision slide presentation on man and prehistoric animals. The farm is open daily from 07.00 - 18.00. Admission is 300 baht. For group tours and academic institutions that require a tour guide, please contact Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo in advance at 555 Thai Ban Road, Amphoe Muang, Samut Prakan 10280 or tel. 0 2703 4891-5, 0 2703 5144-8. Click www.crocodilefarm.com for more information.
Getting there is also possible by taking the air-conditioned buses Line Nos. 7, 8, and 11, to the end of the Line or by non air-conditioned buses Line Nos. 25 and 102, to Samut Prakan and taking another ride on a local truck (Song Thaeo) Line No. S. 1 and S. 80.
Open : Daily from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission : Adult 300 baht, Child 200 baht
The Ancient City
Muang Boran or the Ancient City is the world's biggest open-air museum. It occupies an area of 500 rais (200 acres). Construction began in the latter part of 1963. It is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, at Km. 33.5 of the old Sukhumvit Road, 8 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. This unique attraction is the center of scaled-down and actual-size replicas of important historical sites of various provinces such as Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, Wat Mahathat Sukhothai, Phraphuttabat Saraburi, Phrathat Mueang Nakhon, Phrathat Chaiya, etc. Furthermore, there are rare traditional folk arts and cultures, some of which are hard to come by nowadays. For those who wish to learn about Thailand, they will not be disappointed here.
Getting there: by car, take the Samrong - Samut Prakan Road to Samut Prakan T-junction and turn left going along the old Sukhumvit road (road to Bang Pu), then at approximately Km. 33 turn into an entry road to Muang Boran and drive on for 8 kilometres, Muang Boran will be on the left. To get there by bus, take the air-conditioned bus Line No. 11 (Pin Klao - Pak Nam) to the end of the Line and take the local mini-bus Line No. 36 to Mueang Boran. It is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission is 50 baht. Fees for taking a car in is 50 Baht and 100 baht for vans. For more information call 0-2323-9253 or 0-2224-1058-7, 0-2226-1936-7 or click www.ancientcity.com
The Erawan Museum
This three-headed elephant, Airavata was born of Khun Lek Viriyapant's ideas and imagination. It was inspired by his wish to preserve his collection of antiques as a contribution to Thai cultural heritage. Many of these were priceless objects of art they were also held as sacred objects for people of ancient cultures. According to ancient traditions they were believed to bring blessing and prosperity to the land and its people, and therefore must not be lost to outsiders. It had been Mr.Viriyapant's concern to find a way that would keep these objects safe and that would also be suitable to their traditional functions.
One day he had a visit from a Westerner who, during the course of the conversation, suggested the idea of constructing the most important building in the town in the form of an apple which according to Western traditions of belief, played a crucial part in the shaping of human destiny. This suggestion was warmly welcomed by Mr.Viriyapant. He nevertheless thought it more appropriate to adhere to Eastern traditions and thus decided on the heavenly elephant Airavata of Hindu mythology. In addition, he wanted this three-headed elephant to be more than just the vehicle of the god Indra.
The elephant would be a symbol of the centre of the universe and, as such, the building would function symbolically as the spiritual heart of the land where sacred objects of the land were housed and revered. He then designed the building and gave the design to Khun Pagpean Viriyapant, his eldest son, to begin construction. Already during the construction, the building attracted people who came to worship. Thus it fulfilled Khun Lek Viriyapant's wish to preserve sacred objects for the country. Although both Khun Lek and Khun Pagpean passed away before the construction was completed, their heirs continued their wish to create a place where ceremonies and festivals of Thai traditions might be held, and that would also serve as museum to keep the memory of Khun Lek Viriyapant's life and work alive for future generations.
Getting to The Erawan Museum : Bus No: 25,142,365 / Air-conditioned bus No: 102,507,511,536
Admissions : Adult Baht 150 / Children Baht 50
Office : The Ancient City 99/9 M.1 Muang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan Province 10270
Tel: 0 2371 3135-6 Fax: 0 2371 3136
Open Everyday 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.
Website: www.erawan-museum.com
Wat Asokaram
This temple is 6 kilometres from town. It is located in Soi Sukhaphiban 58, Tambon Thai Ban, on Sukhumvit road, its entrance is opposite Sawangkhaniwat Recuperation Centre. The new temple was built by Phra Acharn Lee Thammawaro) of the Dharmayuthi sect on May 8, 1962. It is one of the important temples for practicing mediation. Worth visiting and seeing in this temple is Phra Thutangkha Chedi, a group of 13 chedi as a representative of the 13 duties of the monks on their religious trips. There is also Vihara Wisutthithamrangsi in which Acharn Lee's remains are enshrined.
Bang Pu Seaside
This is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, about Kilometres 37 from Bangkok on Sukhumvit Road, opposite the Bang Pu Industrial Estate. It has long been famous for its seaside resort and also the recuperation centre, and generally associated with relaxation. It is operated by the Quartermaster Generals Department. Inside the compound, there are many gardens and a lot of trees and plants. Restaurants and bungalows are also available. During November to late July, a lot of migrating seagulls will come here, feeding along the seashore. Call 0-2323-9138, 0-2323-9983 for more information.
Bueng Tako
This is a place for water sports lovers. Water skiing and windsurfing can be enjoyed here. Rental fee is 200 Baht per hour. It is open daily.
Getting there: visitors can take the Bang Na-Trat highway going out of Bangkok, and at Kilometres13 marker, you can see the entrance on the right hand side, on the same side as the entrance to Wat Luang Pho To, right next to Mitsubishi Co., Ltd. Call at 0-2316-7809-10 for more information. Phra Samut Chedi
Phra Samut Chedi is located at Tambon Pak Klong Bang Pla Kot, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Samut Prakan City Hall. Formerly, this chedi was located on a small island in the middle of Chao Phraya River's mouth behind Phisuea Samut Fortress. Subsequently, however, the little island became linked to the right bank of the river due to the water turning shallow. Then, King Rama II granted the construction of the Chedi but it was not completed in his time. Later, during the reign of King Rama III, construction was resumed and the 20-metre high pagoda was completed. Finally, King Rama IV commanded that the shape of the chedi be changed and also increased the chedis height to 38 metres. Inside the pagoda, contained Lord Buddha's relics, Phra Chai Wat and Phra Ham Samut Buddha images (Buddha image in the attitude of Pacifying the ocean).
How to Go
By Car
You can use the old Sukhumvit Road and also Highway Number 303 to get there. The distance is only 29 kilometres to Samut Prakan town.
By Bus air-conditioned buses
(of the BMTA Bangkok Mass Transit Authority)
Line No. 2 (Sam Rong - Pak Khlong Talat)
Line No. 6 (Pak Kret - Phra Pradaeng)
Line No. 7 (Sam Rong - Tha Phra)
Line No. 8 (Pak Nam - Tha Ratchaworadit)
Line No. 11 (Pak Nam - Khonsongsaitai)
Line No. 13 (Rangsit - Pu Chao Saming Phrai)
Line No. 23 (Sam Rong Thewet via Expressway)
Line No. 25 (Pak Nam - Tha Chang)
Line No. 102 (Pak Nam - Chong Nonsee)
Line No. 126 (Nonthaburi - Sam Rong)
Line No. 129 (Thang Duan - Kasetsart University - Sam Rong)
Line No. 142 (Wat Lau - Samut Prakan)
Line No. 145 (Suan Chatuchak - Samut Prakan)
non-air conditioned buses Line No. 2 (Sam Rong - Pak Khlong Talad)
Line No. 6 (Phra Pradaeng - Bang Lamphu)
Line No. 13 (Rangsit - Phu Chao Saming Phrai)
Line No. 20 (Pom Phra Chun- Tha Nam Din Daeng)
Line No. 23 (Sam Rong Thewet via Expressway)
Line No. 25 (Pak Nam - Tha Chang)
Line No. 45 (Sam Rong - Ratchaprasong)
Line No. 82 (Phra Pradaeng - Bang Lamphu)
Line No. 102 (Pak Nam - Chong Nonsi)
Line No. 116 (Samrong - Sathorn)
Line No. 129 (Kasetsart University - Sam Rong via Expressway)
Line No. 138 (Chatuchak - Phra Pradaeng via Expressway)
Line No. 145 (Suan Chatuchak - Pak Nam)
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