Samut Prakan (Thai สมุทรปราการ) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are in the west and north Bangkok and Chachoengsao to the east.

The new Suvarnabhumi Airport is currently under construction in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province.

Geography

Samut Prakan is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya river to the Gulf of Thailand. Thus the province is also sometimes called Pak Nam (ปากน้ำ)by the Thai word for the mouth of a river. The part of the province located on the western side of the river consist mostly of rice and prawn fields as well as mangrove forests, while the east part is the urban center - including industrial factories. It is part of the Bangkok metropolis, the urbanization on both sides of the provincial boundary is identical. The province has a coastline of approximately 47,2 kilometer.

History

The province was created during the Ayutthaya period, with its administrative center located at Prapadaeng. It was the sea port of Siam, and was secured with forts, town moats and town-walls. King Rama II starting the building of the new center at Samut Prakan in 1819, after his predecessor King Taksin had disbanded the town fortification. Altogether six forts were built on both sides of the Chao Phraya river, and on an island in the river the pagoda Phra Samut Chedi was erected. Of the original six forts only two still exist today, Phi Sua Samut and Phra Chulachomklao.

By the way, the word, Samut prakan means rampart of shore.

Symbols

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 5 districts (Amphoe) and one minor districts (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 50 communes (tambon) and 396 villages. For the national elections the province is divided into 7 voting districts.

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide
• paknam.com - created by Sriwittayapaknam School
• Official site of the province (Thai only)