| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Samut Sakhon |
| Area: | 872.3 km² Ranked 72nd |
| Inhabitants: | 457,078 (2001) Ranked 56th |
| Pop. density: | 524 inh./km² Ranked 4th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-74 | Map |
Samut Sakhon (Thai สมุทรสาคร) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from the southwest clockwise) Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok.
| Table of contents |
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2 History 3 Symbols 4 Administrative divisions 5 External links |
Geography
Samut Prakan is located at the mouth of the Tha Chin Klong river to the Gulf of Thailand. At the coast to the sea are many fields used for salt production.
History
The oldest name of the area is Tha Chin, probably referring to the fact that it was a trading port where Chinese junks arrived. In 1548 the city Sakhon Buri was established, and was renamed in 1704 to Mahachai after the khlong Mahachai which was dug then and connected with the Tha Chin river near the town. It was renamed by King Mongkut to its current name, however the old name Mahachai is still sometimes used by the locals.
Symbols
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The seal shows a Chinese junk in front of the coast, with a smoking chimney. Both refer to the old trading tradition as well as the local industries.
Provincial tree is the Devil Tree (Alstonia scholaris). |
| Amphoe (districts) | |
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