Samutprakarn Province widely know as "Muang Pak Nam" is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, north to the Gulf of Thailand and twenty-five kilometers from Bangkok. The whole area covers 1,004 square kilometers of alluvial plain, crisscrossed by canals, causing some areas to be flooded. The water in these canals is briny in the dry season. Most of the area is covered with paddy fields and orchards, with groves of Samae (a small tree of the family Myrsinaceae), prong (a plant of the genus Cycas), the mangrove and nipa palms. Well known goods from this province are “Khanom Chak” or sweetened sticky rice wrapped by nipa palm leaves and dried gourami. 

Boundary
North-Connects with Bangkok Provinces.
South-Connects with The Gulf of Thailand Provinces.
East-Connects with Chacherngsao Provinces.
West-Connects with Samutsakorn Provinces.

Administration 
The administration of Samutprakarn Province is divided into five districts 

- Muang Samutprakarn  - Bang Pli  - Phra Pradaeng  - Bang Boh   - Phra Samut Chedi.

History 

Samutprakarn was founded during the Ayutthaya Period. The administrative center of the old community, known as Muang Prapadaeng, was in an area currently the location of Prapadaeng District. It was a sea port for foreign merchandise ships that traded with Thailand. 

Along the coast, forts, town moats and town-walls were constructed as a stronghold against hostile forces. During the Thonburi Period, King Tak Sin ordered dismantlement of the town-walls. In the Ratanakosin Period, King Rama II was afraid that this town might have been used by the enemy as a route to transport their troops and supplies. The King thus had Muang Samutprakarn constructed in Tambon Paknam in 1819. The construction was completed in three years, with six forts being built on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. Only three could be finished in this reign -- Prakaisit Fort, Nagaraj Fort and Phi Sua Samut Fort. King Rama II visited the site of construction several times.  

By the royal command, a chedi, by the name of “Phra Samut Chedi,” was erected on an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River.  

Unfortunately, the King passed away before the completion of the whole new town, leaving the construction to be resumed and completed in the reign of King Rama III, with three more forts to be added – Tri Petch Fort, Kongkapun Fort and Sua Sonlep Fort.King Rama V Pra Samut Chedi renovated the height of the chedi being elevated, and one more fort by the coast being built, named "Phra Chulachomklao Fort". At present, only Phi Sua Smut Fort and Phra Chilachomklao Fort remain a good condition whereas others are dilapidated. 

How to get there

By Waterway 
The Chao Phraya River, passing through Phra Pradaeng and Muang Districts in Samutprakarn Province to the Gulf of Thailand, is a waterway to Bangkok. Besides, there are numerous canals, namely, Klong They, Klong Dan, Klong Samrong, Klong Sanpasamit, Klong Pravesburirom and Klong Phro Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit. 

By Road 
Sukhumvit Road (the old route) is a highway from Bangkok leading to Samutprakarn Province. 

Air-conditioned bused : Por Or 6 (Pakkred-Phra Pradaeng), Por Or 7 (Talad Phu-Samrong), Por Or 8 (Tha Rajavoradit-Pak Nam), Por Or 11 (Bang Lumpu-Pak Nam), Por Or 13 (Ragsit-Phu Chao Samingplai), and Por Or 126 (Nontaburi-Samrong). 

Festivals & Events

Phra Samut Chedi Festival 
is one of the most important festivals with people from all over the country paying homage to the Chedi. This annual festival lasts for nine days and nine nights, starting from the fifth day of the waning moon, the eleventh lunar month of every year. Before the festival, around the second day of the waning moon, the eleventh lunar month, Phra Samut Chedi townspeople and Buddhists in Samutprakarn Province would collaborate in sewing a large red cloth to wrap around the chedi.  

Phra Pradaeng District's Songkran Festival 
This annual event is held on the first Sunday after Songkran Festival (April 13). The fesis the collaboration between Phra Pradaeng townspeople and Phra Pradaeng Municipality. The fes is organized in the same fashion and the folk tradition of the Mon people.The festival features the procession of the Songkran Maiden, merit-making by freeing birds and fish, and mon rum

 Lotus Flower Receiving Festival of Bang Pli 
This festival has handed down from one generation to another in Bang Pli District. It is held annually one day before the end of the Buddhist Rain Retreat -- that is the morning of the fourteenth day of the waxing moon, the eleventh lunar month, in Klong Samrong area. Traditionally, local people lining up both sides of the canal will throw lotus flowers onto the boat carrying the replica of Luang Poh To Buddha image. These lotus flowers are meant as homage to the Triple Gem -- the Lord Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangka. Besides, the Bang Pli local People will also throw lotus flower onto visitors’ boats as a gesture to invite them join in their merit-making. 

A Boat-race in front of Muang Phra Pradaeng 
This boat-race has been continually organized since Phra Pradaeng held the position of a province up until now. The race falls on the fourth day of the waning moon, the eleventh lunar month of every year.