Samut Sakhon - Samut Songkhram River Cruise Tours Thailand

Bangkok - Nonthaburi
Ayutthaya
Nakhon Pathom
Samut Sakhon - Samut Songkhram
Kanchanaburi

Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram, two small coastal towns on the Gulf of Thailand, are rich in natural, historical,and cultural heritage, all contributing factors to diverse boat tours, making the area ideal for weekend recreation, since it is only one to two hours by car from Bangkok.

Cruising the Tha Chin River, one comes into close touch with the simple and peaceful life on the lush riverbanks, lined with typical Thai houses and orchards. Also, the historical route of the treacherous Khlong Khok Kham can be explored, to relive the legend of the heroic helmsman of King Suea’s royal barge, Phanthai Norasing, who laid down his life for the protection of his master. Folk fi shery in the mangrove area can be observed in Khlong Phitthayalongkorn, and Khlong Pramong-Fishery.

Samut Songkhram, meanwhile, has long been known as the town of three waters, fresh, brackish, and seawater. The seaside area is a major fi shing ground, especially at Don Hoi Lot - the Dune of Worm Shells, the only such area to be found. The inner area consists of rich soil, fed by the Mae Klong River, connected to over 300 tributaries and about 2,000 rivulets and streams. Here one fi nds old plantations and orchards in Amphoe Amphawa and Amphoe Bang Khonthi, famed for a special variety ofpomelo. Amphawa is also rich in history, arts and culture, as the birthplace of King Rama II, the Great Artist King of Bangkok.

Strolling in Tha Chalom, an Ancient Fishing Area, the Site of Thailand’s First Sanitary Area

Tourists can simply ask for a stopover in Tha Chalom, or cross the channel from Maha Chai in a shuttle boat, to spend some time in a traditional fi shing town, with fi shing boats crowding the shoreline. Several dockyards are in operation in the area. Walking in the market, fresh seafood is on offer in abundance at irresistible prices. A major Chinese temple is situated nearby, underlining the fact that the town was formerly a community of Chinese settlers. The place is packed with shoppers during the vegetarian festival. Tha Chalom, in fact, was the main centre of Samut Sakhon when the Maha Chai side remained lush green with orchards and mangrove forests.

Tha Chalom was a well-managed and established human settlement, with full amenities and security system when King Chu1alongkorn, Rama V, visited the area on 18th March 1905. The king was so impressed that he named Tha Chalom the fi rst sanitary area of the country. It is today a major source of fresh seafood on the bank of the Tha Chin River, where fresh, dried, and processed seafood as well as fruits and vegetables from nearby areas are put on

Taking a Stroll in King Rama II Park, Admiring a Museum in the Lush Garden of Literary Significance

King Rama II Park is pleasant as a riverside garden, lush green and wellshaded, featuring over 100 species of fragrant fl owering plants as mentioned in Thai literature and a special variety of coconut known as Phaya So - the King Fiddle, yielding nuts as ideal soundboxes for Thai fi ddle making. An open-air theatre surrounded by well maintained grass-covered mounds as audience seats is used to stage an annual command performance of classical mask plays staged as a tribute to King Rama II. Five typical Thai houses behind the trees serve as the King Rama II Museum, where the king’s personal objects and artefacts are on display. Souvenirs, food items and young plants can be bought from the park offi ce in the front.

Wandering around Old Amphawa Market, Admiring the Waterfront Commercial Centre of the Past

Taking the cement path along the canal, one passes wooden row-houses with propped-up or folded door panels. With the decline of the fl oating market, the waterfront commercial centre quietens, but the traces of past activities can be detected. Several original shops remain in operation, such as that selling Chinese sweets and tidbits, fresh brewed coffee, wooden umbrellas, traditional medicines, farm tools and gold ornaments. The peaceful and relaxed atmosphere makes the site perfect for a leisure walk, conversing with friendly residents, buying delicacies and taking a rest sipping coffee at the Ocharot coffee shop, a long-time hang-out for local residents.

Samut Sakhon Province
Programme 1:
Cruising along the Rim of the Gulf of Thailand, Taking a Stroll in the Market

The cruise takes visitors along the coastal areas at the entrance to the Gulf of Thailand, to observe fi shing communities on the banks, with visits to Wat Yai Chom Prasat, Wat Kamphra, and Wat Chong Lom, and a glimpse of the Gulf of Thailand. A further short trip can be taken into Khlong Phitthayalongkorn or Khlong Sahakon (Cooperatives) to witness the making of shrimp paste. The cruise turns back to Maha Chai Pier, where a shuttle boat can be taken to Tha Chalom, the ancient fi shing community, and the fi rst sanitary area of the country. A stroll in the Maha Chai Market is in line, for shopping on quality fresh and processed seafood at inexpensive prices, and dining at one of the excellent seafood shops on the waterfront.

Programme 2 :
Retracing the Khlong Khok Khaml, Observing Folk Fishery Lifestyle and Reckoning the Legend of Phanthai Norasing, the Heroic Helmsman

The cruise starts from the Phanthai Norasing Shrine on the bank of Khlong Khok Kham, going along the treacherous winding waterway, with thick mangrove forests on both banks. All along the canal, folk fi shery can be observed. People use simple fi sh traps, raise green mussels and cickle ark shells close to the shores. Visitors are afforded a chance to view the making of shrimp paste by housewives groups, sample fresh seafood dishes at the guest centre, before taking a boat ride to look into the Gulf of Thailand, around the area where numerous mussel poles can be spotted, with varied sea-birds among them. Dolphins, the hammer-head and the bottle-neck varieties, can be occasionally seen swimming merrily nearby. The boat returns to the Phanthai Norasing Shrine. On the journey back via Rama II Road, one can get glimpses of coastal birds in the shrimp farms and the salt fi elds along the road. A visit to Wat Khok Kham is included, for a view of the peculiar Maha Ut Hall and the decorative patterns in a Chinese art-form on the gable.

Samut Songkhram Province
Programme 1:
Cruising the Mae Klong River, Exploring Khlong Amphawa, Waterfront
Temples and Market

The trip starts at the ancient waterfront Amphawa Market, where a leisure walk can be taken prior to the canal tour through the wellshaded Khlong Amphawa, to the Mae Klong River. On both banks are orchards, plantations and garden homes. Several old fi ne temples on the banks provide a unique opportunity to appreciate Thai religious art and architecture. They include Wat Chulamani, Wat Phummarin Kudi Thong, Wat Bang Khae Yai, and Wat Bang Kung. The boat then heads back to the Amphawa Market. Another stopover can be made at the King Rama II Park, for a pleasant stroll among plants in Thai literature and a visit to the King Rama II Museum located in the typical Thai group houses. A short walk from the park leads to Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram with distinctive temporary mural paintings in the temple hall.

Programme 2 :
Shopping around at Tha Kha Floating Market, Taking a Canal Tour, and
Posing As a Local Resident

For this trip, check in advance for the Tha Kha Floating Market, which is on every second, seventh and twelfth day of the waning and the waxing moon. One should arrive at the market in the early morning, to while away the time shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables and food items at incredibly low prices. Thereafter, a boat ride can be taken, with paddle boats provided by the local administrative body, taking visitors through the labyrinth of waterways and channels feeding coconut plantations and fruit orchards. One can take a stroll in the plantation, witnessing palm-sugar making and buying products on the spot. For a unique experience of the Thai countryside, a homestay service is available at the riverside Thai houses, where visitors are welcome to join a typical Thai meal with the family, taking a bath in the canal, paddling the boat, making morning offering to Buddhist monks and trying their hands in palm sugar making.

Samut Sakhon
Route 1
Cruising the Tha Chin River and Viewing Rare Plants: How to get there
From Bangkok, follow Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), passing Bang Khae and Nong Khaem, to Om Noi Intersection, or take Highway 3091 (Setthakit Road), turning left, and at about 5 kilometres, a signboard showing the entrance to Wat Nang Sao is on the right.

Boat embarkation
At Wat Nang Sao Pier, there are two-section boats, accommodating four to fi ve passengers, for hire at 100 to 300 baht, in accordance with the distance. Contact Khun Chang, Tel. 0-1207-2556. The boat trip lasts about one to two hours.

Route 2
Cruising through the Fishing Town of Maha Chai
How to get there
From Bangkok, follow the Rama II or Thonburi-Pak Tho Road, Highway 35,
for about 28 kilometres to Maha Chai Intersection, turning left into the town, and
ending at Maha Chai Pier.

Boat embarkation
At the Maha Chai Pier, there are small boats available for hire at 500 baht an hour, accommodating about 10 passengers. Larger boats accommodating 20 persons are offered for 1,000 baht an hour. The cruise takes about one and a half to three hours.

Route 3
Cruising Khlong Khok Kham, Retracing the Fateful Jouruey of Phanthai Norasing
How to get there
From Bangkok, follow the Rama II or Thon Buri-Pak Tho Road, Highway 35, passing Bang Khun Thian to Wat Phanthai Norasing. At the intersection with a signboard showing the way to Wat Khok Kham, tum left, passing Wat Khok Kham and follow the sign to Phanthai Norasing Shrine, passing Ban San Dap School. Take the left tum at the next intersection to Phanthai Norasing Shrine.

Boat embarkation
At the shrine, long-tailed boats are available for hire at 600 baht per trip. The boat accommodates about 20 passengers. The trip lasts about two to three hours, depending on the stops to be made. Guides are provided. Contact the Tambon- Subdistrict Administrative Organization of Phanthai Norasing, Tel. 0-3447-8461

Samut Songkhram
Route 4
Touring Tha Kha Floating Market, Cruising the Canal through an Old Plantation How to get there
From Bangkok, follow the Rama II or Thon Buri-Pak Tho Road, Highway 35, straight to Samut Songkhram, early in the morning. Make sure that the fl oating market is on. At the fl oating market, small boats can be hired at 200 baht a trip, accommodating 2 to 3 persons. Homestay service is also offered. Contact Mr. Charoon Chuachai of the Tha Kha Conservation Group, Tel. 0-3476-6123.

Route 5
Cruising the Mae Klong, Touring the Khlong Amphoe Amphawa, Visiting the Greenery of Bang Chang How to get there
From Maha Chai Intersection, in Samut Sakhon Province, head towards Samut Songkhram, up to the T-way junction, and cross the traffi c bridge leading into Mae Klong. From there, take Highway 325, Samut Songkhram -Bang Phae, up to the Amphawa junction, and tum left into Amphoe Amphawa. The road ends at Amphawa Market.

Boat embarkation
At Amphawa Market Pier, long-tail boats are available. Each boat accommodates about 20 persons and can be hired at 300 to 500 baht per trip, depending on the distance. The trip takes one and a half to two hours. Contact Khun Mu, Tel. 08-6116-3619.

Appropriate Season
Dry season serves better, as rain can disrupt the travel and pose hazards. Although summer days are hot and humid, cool breeze can be always experienced on the waterfront. Also, summer is the high time for tropical fruits, including the sought - after lychee and mango.The Tha Kha Floating Market is in operation every 2nd, 7th and 12th day of the waxing and waning moon. On weekends, goods are offered on the river bank at the car park area.

Precautions

• Check weather conditions before taking a trip,and check the ebb and high tide beforehand for safety and convenience.
• See to it that the boat is right for the trip and not overloaded.
• Wear lightweight, tumble-dry clothes and open shoes. Prepare hats, sunshades, and windbreaker jackets (for cool days).
• Get watertight plastic bags for cameras and other equipment.
• Wear a life vest or get hold of a lifesaver in case of accidents.
• Food items for the trip should be easy to take along. Garbage must be disposed of on shore, not thrown into the waterways.
• In case of falling overboard, swim back towards the boat or the shore.
• Do not travel during rain or storms.
• Avoid moving or running around on the boat while it is moving.
• Boat tours should not be conducted at night.

Samut Sakhon
Accommodations:
Merry Cream Resort, Tel. 0-1481-9602; Green House, Tel. 0-34471807, 0-3447-3950; Kasem Hotel, Tel. 0-3441-1078; New Friend, Tel. 0-3442-3463-4

Restaurants:
Tha Ruea (Kia Nguan 3), tel. 0-3441-1084; New Rot Thip, Tel. 03441- 1900, 0-3441-1899; Lan The, Tel. 0-3442-3329, Khlong Khru, Tel. 0-3481-5907,0-3442- 3205; Ruean Panya, Tel. 0-3442-4707

Souvenirs:
Fresh, dry and processed seafood, salt, shrimp paste, fi sh sauce, etc, can be bought at Maha Chai Market and Maha Chai Mueang Mai Market. Fruits such as young coconut with aromatic juice, grilled young coconut, grape, jujube, longan, dragon fruit, and others are available at Maha Chai Market and Ban Phaeo Market. Farm produce, fertilizer, fruit-tree saplings, and more can be bought from roadside stalls on Ban Phaew - Nakhon Pathom Road, Highway 3097. Desserts such as crisp golden thread, and crisp jelly are offered at Krathum Baen Market. Five-colored ceramics, or bencharong, are available at factories in the Krathum Baen area.

Samut Songkhram
Accommodations:
Thai Sawat, Tel. 0-3471-1205; Nara Court, Tel. 0-3471-6718-9; Mae Klong Hotel, Tel. 0-3471-1150; Rainbow Inn, Tel. 0-3471-1286; Alongkon 1-2, Tel. 0-3471-1709, Ban Chom Duean, Ruean Khung Nam, Tel. 0-3475-2200-1; (homestay type) Khom Saeng Thong, Tel. 0-3475-2087; Plai Phongphang Thai house, Tel. 0-3476-7520, 08-1403-7907; the home ofVillage Headman Thongyip (Khwae Om Canal), Tel. 0-3473-5073; Suphani, Tel. 0-3473-5107 and Tha Kha Conservation Club (Tha Kha Floating Market), Tel. 0-3476-6123.

Restaurants:
Uncle Khan, Don Hoi Lot, Tel. 0-3471-4718; Khun Lin (familiar taste), Tel. 0-3471-4348; Khiang Thalae, Tel. 0-3472-3681-3, 0-34723702; RimAo, Tel. 0-3471-1299,0-3471-2082; Chinda, Tel. 0-34711350; Nai Klae, Tel. 0-3471-2222, 0-3471-4160; Rim Khuean, Tel. 03473-2921

Souvenirs:
Fresh and dried seafood, processed seafood, with famous items like Mae Klong mackerel, processed fi sh of various types, and other seafood products, including fi sh sauce, dried fi sh, prawns, and natural salt, at Mae Klong Market, Don Hoi Lot, and roadside stalls on the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway, delectable fruits, especially lychee and pomelo, coconut sugar and syrup, and coconut jelly at Mae Klong Market, at roadside shops on Samut Songkhram-Bang Khonthi Road (Highway 325), and in front of King Rama II Park.