Samut Prakan Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Bang Namphueng Floating Market

A new floating market near Bangkok located at Tambon Bang Namphueng, Phra Pradaeng District. It originated under the cooperation between the Bang Namphueng Subdistrict Administration Organization and local community in an attempt to release their superabundant crops and, as a consequence, create employment and income to the community. The charm of this floating market is the canalside lifestyle of the community whose members are mostly Thai – Mon. Local products and famous food such as fish-scale flowers, herbal joss sticks, Hoi Thot (fried mussel pancake), Khanom Khrok or mortar-toasted pastry, mango, etc. are also offered on sale. A rowing boat for rent is available at 20 Baht each. A bicycle trek to experience the local lifestyle and visit the fruit orchards is also provided with a bicycle for rent available at 30 Baht each. Bang Namphueng Floating Market is open only on Saturdays and Sundays during 8.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. For more information, please contact Chief of the Bang Namphueng Subdistrict Administration Organization at Tel. 0 1171 4930 or Bang Namphueng Subdistrict Administration Organization Office at Tel. 0 2819 6762.

 To get there   By car – exit from the Express Way (Dao Khanong – Suk Sawat) to Suk Sawat Road, turn beside the BP gas station near Phra Pradaeng – Suk Sawat T-junction toward Phra Pradaeng Market, turn left via Wat Song Tham Worawihan for approximately 5 kilometres, turn right for another 1 kilometre upon noticing the direction sign to the floating market until arriving at Bang Namphueng Health Centre which provides a parking area. By bus – take air-conditioned bus No. 138 (Chatuchak – Phra Pradaeng), No. 140 (Victory Monument – Suk Sawat Express Way), No. 506 (Pak Kret – Phra Pradaeng), or ordinary bus No. 82 (Sanam Luang – Phra Pradaeng).

Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang

Located on the northern bank of Khlong Samrong in Tambon Bang Phli Yai, not too far from Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai. It was constructed around 1824 and originally called Wat Klang before changing to Wat Rat Sattha Tham and eventually Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang. The temple contains an immense reclining Buddha image of approximately 53 metres long known as Somdet Phra Sakayamuni Si Sumet Bophit. There are 4 storeys inside the image itself. The 1st floor houses meditation cells; the 2nd floor has images of the 500 Arahats and murals depicting Hell and Heaven; the 3rd floor has paintings of several other sacred Buddha images; the 4th floor houses the Lord Buddha’s relic taken from Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1987, and also the Reclining Buddha’s heart.

Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai and Old Market

Located approximately 500 metres from Bueng Tako on the canalside of Khlong Samrong, Tambon Bang Phli Yai. The temple was formerly known as Wat Phlapphla Chai Chana Songkhram built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great’s victory over the Burmese. Later, a large bronze Buddha image of the Sukhothai style in the gesture of subduing Mara, with open eyes, was taken to be enshrined as the principal image of Phra Ubosot. The image became much revered by the people who have called it Luangpho To. Hence, the temple is otherwise known as Wat Luangpho To. During the annual Yon Bua or Rap Bua Festival which takes place one day before the full moon of the 11th lunar month, Luangpho To will be taken in a boat procession along the canal. There is an old canalside market near the temple where visitors can walk around and buy some food and useful items. Open during 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Pom Phra Chulachomklao 

Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress is situated at the mouth of Chao Phraya River, Tambon Laem Fa Pha. You can get there using the Suksawat Road from the Phra Samut Chedi intersection. The fortress' compound houses a magnificent standing monument of King Rama V, which is located in the front of the fortress.

Pom Phra Chulachomklao is a modern fortress and has played an important role in protecting the sovereignty of Thailand during 1893 against unfriendly forces. It is the fortress forever in the memory of all Thais and a very important part of Thai history. During King Rama Vs reign, there was a period during which England and France were hunting for colonies. All neighbouring countries around Thailand were colonised by England and France. This was indeed a grave situation endangering Thailand so he sought ways to protect the country. Particularly, protection of the water of Thailand, he commanded that the fortresses at the rivers mouth be renovated and re-equipped, and also hired a foreigner who was a naval specialist as a consultant for planning the development of the Thai navy.

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).

Wat Protketchettharam 

Located at Tambon Song Kha Nong, this is the only Thai-Buddhism temple in Phra Pradaeng. Other temples are of the Mon-Buddhism sect. Phraya Phetphichai built it during the reign of King Rama II. A distinct and unique architectural characteristic of the temple is that its roof is covered with ancient Mon ceramic shingles, without any decorations on the temple roof. The front of the main building, Ubosot, above the entrance, is done with stucco adorned with vine lines and decorated with ancient porcelain and ceramic pieces. Inside, there is a cast-metal Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara.

The second main building, Wiharn, has the same architecture as the first building. Inside the second main building, there is a reclining Buddha of which the face is very beautiful. Above the windows, there are the pictures of Dhamma Riddles of western arts style, which is extremely rare. Another building, Mondop, has a roof that is covered with ceramic shingles and decorated with small Chinese pavilions all around the edge of the roof. It enshrines Buddha images in many the attitudes and has chedis at all 4 corners. Inside the Mondop, there are Buddha images and the replication of Lord Buddha's Footprint, decorated with pearl inset.

Pom Phlaeng Faifa 

This old fortress is located at Tambon Talat. Only a few parts of the fortress are still in good condition. It was one of the fortresses of Muang Nakhon Khuaenkhan, serving as a military base at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. There are many fortresses because King Rama I commanded that the fortresses be built for protecting the kingdom. At present, Muang Phra Pa Daeng Municipality has developed the area of the fortress into a recreational area for the townspeople. The upper part of the fortress displays several old cannons. Trees have been planted all around.

City Pillar Shrine 

The City Pillar Shrine is located at Tambon Talat. It was constructed in 1813. It has been with Amphoe Phra Pradaeng a long time - since the time when this Amphoe was once a city. It is a highly revered holy place of the people.

Wat Klang Worawihan
 
This second level royal monastery is located at Tambon Pak Nam. The temple, of which the former name is Wat Takothong, was built in the late Ayutthaya period. The main building was renovated in the reign of King Rama III. The upper part of the front of the temple, above the entrance, is decorated with Chinese porcelain and ceramics. Inside the temple, there is a mural painting, depicting the first book of the Buddhist scripture dealing with the life of Lord Buddha. Later, another building was built to enshrine the 4 traces of Lord Buddha's Footprints. The hall for sermons is Thai style structure made totally from teak and upper part of the front of the building, above the entrance, is lavishly decorated with exquisite and beautifully carved wood well worth preserving.

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.

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