| Samut Sakhon was formerly
called “Tha Chin” probably because, in the old days,
it had been a trading
port dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks. In 1548, a town
named “Sakhon Buri” was established at the mouth of
the Tha Chin River. It was a centre for recruiting troops from various
seaside towns. The name of the town was changed into "Mahachai"
when Khlong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to join the Tha Chin
River at the town. Later, the town was renamed “Samut Sakhon”
by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called "Mahachai"
by the villagers.
Samut Sakhon is located 30 kms. from Bangkok. The
province occupies a total area of 872 square kilometres and is administratively
divided into 3 districts: Muang Samut Sakhon, Krathum Baen, and
Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port and also the biggest producer
of brine salt.
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