Samut Prakan Travel Guide

Samut Prakan, also known as Paknam, is situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, just 25kms south of central Bangkok. Its small community originally set up camp in Phra Pradaeng, a northern district, during the Ayutthaya period but moved south after Ayutthaya was sacked by the Burmese.

The new town and several fortresses were built under the command of King Rama II in 1819. Today, there are many sights to see although many are similar to sights found across Thailand. As with every Thai town, village and city, temples abound and there are Buddhist shrines found on every corner.

However, one thing which separates Samut Prakan from other central Thai towns is the Ancient City. This is the largest open-air museum in the world and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

There is a good tourist infrastructure here, with hotels, restaurants and nightlife options plentiful. Due to its close proximity to Bangkok, it is often ignored by tourists, but a daytrip to the Ancient City and a wander around the streets of Samut Prakan is worthwhile and rewarding. There is also a seaside here which may not be as picturesque as the islands, but it is still somewhere to soak up the sunshine.

Getting There & Away

Samut Prakan is located very close to Bangkok and as a result, bus services are plentiful and taxis are on call to drive you in comfort. Journey time is just 30 minutes; however, this of course is dependent on Bangkok’s notorious traffic. Bangkok’s international airport receives flights from around the globe.

Samut Prakan attraction

• The Ancient City: the largest open-air museum in the world boasts scaled-down and actual-size replicas of some of Thailand’s most famous landmarks. It is a must-visit and ideal for the whole family.