Samut Sakhon

(Also called Mahachai, formerly Tha Chin and Sakhon Buri, also Mueang Sakhon; สมุทรสาคร in Thai ) Samut Sakhon is the capital of the province of Samut Sakhon in the southwestern area of ​​the central region of Thailand. Samut Sakhon is also the capital of the district ( Amphoe ) Mueang Samut Sakhon.

Geography

Samut Sakhon is located at the mouth of Maenam Tha Chin ( Tha Chin River ), which flows into the Gulf of Thailand. The distance to the capital Bangkok is about 25 kilometers.

Economic importance and

Samut Sakhon living from fishing in particular, most of the goods passes to the nearby capital. In addition, the manufacturing of the Bangkok Cabinet Co. is there as larger employers (BCN Co.), which mainly manufactures furniture in conjunction with the Index Shopping Mall society.

Today, many installations are for salt extraction on the coast of Samut Sakhon.

History

The city was founded in 1548. Samut Sakhon was formerly an important trading center for goods from China. 1828/29 was on the orders of King Rama III. built a fixture that should be defended by men who were moved here from Pak Lat. Phraya Choduek Rachasetthi ( Thoeng Chin ) had the attachment to the mouth of the Maha Chai - channel build. It was called Fort Wichienchodok and cost at that time more than 3,800 baht. In the 1830s and 1840s there were some 500 houses that had been built along the canal in two to three series and their inhabitants lived from fishing. His time was Samut Sakhon so close to the coast, that no fresh water was available and it had to be recovered by collecting rainwater. In addition, brought Chinese during the dry season ( October to April) water in large earthenware jars from Bangkok. Almost all the buildings of the town were built of bamboo about 2 meters above the ground with roofs of mangroves. As Maha Chai, the place in the first half of the 19th century was an outpost where new arrivals were interviewed and their information has been reported to Bangkok.

In April 1842 there were problems between three groups of Chinese who had formed secret societies and each about 1,000 men included. The leaders of these groups were called Khim, Ia and Phiao ( Piaw ). The Thai government sent under the command Phra Sombat Wanit soldiers to arrest the leaders. In fact, at first could Khim and Phiao be thrown into prison, but managed to escape Ia. He then robbed together with his people from the houses of the area around Samut Sakhon Nakhon Pathom and. You could be overwhelmed after a major police operation.

1844 sent King Rama III. Soldiers to Krok Krak to curb the trade and consumption of opium. Many Chinese were arrested or fled. The missionary Goddard notes that mid- April, the place was almost deserted.

Samut Sakhon bears the name of the city since King Mongkut (Rama IV ).

Attractions

• Wat Yai Chom Phrasat - Buddhist temple ( wat ) on the banks of Maenam Tha Chin with ornate wood carvings; also accessible by water.
• Fishing port - the morning the fishermen with their catch.