A trip along the coast from Samut Prakan to Samut Sakhon

This weekend I am exploring the coastline from Samut Prakan to Samut Sakhon with my friends @chilipastetour and @DavidLuekens. There’s a new road along Sapphasamit Canal that now goes all the way. My map notes for this trip are here: thailandphotomap.com/exploring-the-…

If you switch to a satellite image, you can see that the coastline is mainly fish and shrimp farms. There are not many roads here. This section is actually in Bangkok. Yes, Bangkok has a coastline too in Bang Khun Thian district.

[01] Our first stop on the coastal tour is Phra Samut Chedi. This is the symbol of Samut Province. When it was first built, it used to be on an island on the Chao Phraya River but it’s now on the West bank.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/oJFyt5u1z…

In 1862, Anna Leonowens wrote the following about her first view of Thailand from her ship: On an island there is perhaps the most unique and graceful object of architecture in Siam; shining like a jewel on the broad bosom of the river: paknam.com/tourist-attrac…

Inside one of the buildings at Phra Samut Chedi there is a building with interesting murals on the wall that depict contemporary life from 200 years ago.

[02] From Phra Samut Chedi you can cross a pedestrian bridge to an island called Pom Phi Sua Samut. There is a fortress here on an islet in the Chao Phraya River opposite Samut Prakan City Hall.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/JKD2y1bqs…

King Rama V ordered ten rear loading guns from W G Armstrong & Co in England in 1892. They were called the “disappearing” guns because they only came out of the pit to fire and then the recoil forced the gun back where it came from. Three of them were put in this fort.

[03] Ban Sakhla is an isolated community in Samut Prakan Province surrounded by shrimp and crab farms. There’s a paved road to the town now, but most people still get around by boat. Many of the houses are built on stilts.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/FTpMUPvNs…

A famous food product for Ban Sakhla are the stretched shrimps. These are both salty & sweet. You can eat head to toe.

Our lunch today is at a food shop in Ban Sakhla in Samut Prakan.

It would be really great to find a homestay in Ban Sakhla and spend the weekend here. It’s a really nice place. Friendly people & good food. But we need to move on. The next stop on our coastal trip is Bangkok! I’m hoping to do at least one boat trip out to sea today.

[04] Can you believe that we are now in Bangkok? This is Bang Khun Thian district which goes all the way to the sea. There’s a new cycle path here which is a hundred times better than what it was like the last time I visited.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/sfR5TPxjY…

You can rent bicycles from the Local Museum of Bang Khun Thian. Cost is only 30 Baht for the day. You don’t need a map as the track to the coast is well marked. Highly recommended.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/73L3t9MCf…

To help protect the coastline in Bangkok from erosion, they use these bamboo poles which have proven to be more effective than the concrete poles that they used in the past. They also planted mangrove saplings here which help.

The local museum in Bang Khun Thian is open from Wednesday to Sunday. Entry is free. In this photo you can see how narrow Bangkok is (white on the map). On the left in orange is Samut Sakhon and on the right in green is Samut Prakan.

 

[05] One of the latest tourist attractions along the coast in Samut Sakhon is the Red Boardwalk Bridge. This goes out to sea and then runs parallel with the coast for more than 700 meters. Best to go in the late afternoon when it’s cooler.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/au5PnSuR5… .

Heading home now after our three province coastal trip. But the way back is blocked by this high tide flood. We are going to have to do a wide diversion which will add 30 minutes to the journey. I’m not going to risk it. Several cars have already broken down.

21 thoughts on “A trip along the coast from Samut Prakan to Samut Sakhon

  • December 4, 2022 at 6:37 pm
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    I see that you can rent bicycles from the Local Museum of Bang Khun Thian. (Cost is only 30 Baht for the day. You don’t need a map as the track to the coast is well marked. )

    1. Was this your starting point or is there another bicycle rental location.

    2. Was trip all done on bicycle in one day?

    3. A trip along the coast from Samut Prakan to Samut Sakhon was it all done by bicycle?

    Reply
  • October 6, 2021 at 1:18 am
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    Thanks Richard. For a glimpse of Thailand. Can’t wait to go back again. We are stuck here in far away farang land for almost 2 years now… I really enjoyed the pictures.

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  • October 4, 2021 at 2:49 pm
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    Hi Richard, I’m thinking of doing this trip next weekend. If I get the BTS down there, is it much walk to the bicycle rental area? Or do you need a car to reach there? Thanks for the info and pics btw!

    Reply
    • October 4, 2021 at 2:52 pm
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      LOL did you click on the map link? It’s far from the BTS. I believe there are songtaews to this area but not easy unless you can read/speak Thai. Simpler if you have your own transport. It’s far from central Bangkok.

      Reply
      • October 4, 2021 at 3:10 pm
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        I did click the link, that’s why I am asking for extra info lol. It seems 3 hours from your starting point to the bicycle rental area. Did you drive that way?

        Excuse my ignorance. I’m trying to work out how you got from point A to B.

        Reply
        • October 4, 2021 at 3:12 pm
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          Sorry, I have my own car. That’s why I usually only give map links. You will find that many places that I visit on day trips are off the beaten track. You will often need your own transport or hire a private guide like Chin.

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          • October 4, 2021 at 3:16 pm
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            No worries, I appreciate it, as well as your quick responses.

            Thanks again!

          • October 4, 2021 at 3:17 pm
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            I will be going back again to this area to look for more things to do. This was only the first round. I will look out for public transportation as well.

      • November 19, 2022 at 6:23 am
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        Hi loved the blog , I am presently teaching in Samut Sakhon,friendly people, awesome school however it’s been a month and I am yet to see a foreigner. I am missing English conversations.Well I will most definitely doing some dight seeing this weekend.

        Reply
  • October 4, 2021 at 5:45 am
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    Does the museum rent out bikes with child’s seats as well?

    Reply
    • October 4, 2021 at 10:20 am
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      Sorry, I forgot to ask. I did check my photos and didn’t see anything. But places like this often have one or two.

      Reply
  • October 3, 2021 at 7:42 am
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    Thank you so much for sharing Richard – looks like a great trip !

    Reply
    • October 3, 2021 at 7:49 am
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      Yes, it was a good day out. And enough there for us to go back for a second round of exploring. I want to try and do a boat trip next time.

      Reply
  • October 2, 2021 at 8:28 pm
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    The problem here, (I’m speaking geographically) in common with much of Thailand, is the itty bitty nature of tourist/visitor infrastructure. Walkways and cycle routes are all well and good, but invariably most are merely products of local government photo opportunity/selfie culture and are sadly thus way too small/short to justify the journey, and associated hassle of loading bikes, etc. As l see it, most Thais are simply not interested in their architecture and natural heritage, let alone in expending the resources necessary to protect and enhance these to the point they can be incorporated into a meaningful hospitality offering. The superficial is what counts in this country, substance comes a very distant 2nd. As long as this mindset predominates, and l see zero evidence that suggests any imminent change in this regard, attractions and schemes like those outlined in the article will continue to offer much, but deliver little.

    Reply
    • October 2, 2021 at 8:30 pm
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      No need to bring your own bike. You can rent there for only 30 baht. The track is 4km to the end. You can go elsewhere too. Shouldn’t this initiative be applauded?

      Reply
    • October 2, 2021 at 8:30 pm
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      architectural rather than architecture

      Reply
    • October 4, 2021 at 7:08 am
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      Very well said, Martin!

      Reply
  • October 2, 2021 at 8:16 pm
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    I would like to do this trip sometime!! I need to get out and get some fresh air and exercise!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

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    • October 2, 2021 at 8:17 pm
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      Yes, trips like this are perfectly safe. Lots of fresh air and not at all crowded.

      Reply
  • October 2, 2021 at 8:01 pm
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    Great photos. Nice to see you out and about again.

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    • October 2, 2021 at 8:03 pm
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      Thanks. It’s nice to get out of the house and start photo blogging again. Lots to share in the coming weeks and months.

      Reply

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