Samut Songkhram province

Samut Songkhram
สมุทรสงคราม
Province
Other transcription(s)
 • Teochew夜功
From top: Bang Noi Floating Market [th]; Don Hoi Lot; Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral, Bang Nok Khwaek; Wat Ban Laem; Amphawa Floating Market; Maeklong Railway Market, also known locally as Talat Rom Hup, is famous for the train that passes through it
Official seal of Samut Songkhram
Seal
Nickname: 
Mae Klong
Motto: 
เมืองหอยหลอด ยอดลิ้นจี่ มีอุทยาน ร.2 แม่กลองไหลผ่าน นมัสการหลวงพ่อบ้านแหลม
("City of razor shells. Tops of the lychee trees. King Rama II Park. Passage of the Maeklong river. Worship the Buddhist image of Luang Pho Ban Laem.")
Map of Thailand highlighting Samut Songkhram province
Map of Thailand highlighting Samut Songkhram province
CountryThailand
CapitalSamut Songkhram
Government
 • GovernorNisakorn Wisitsora-at
Area
 • Total
414 km2 (160 sq mi)
 • Rank77th
Population
 (2024)
 • Total
Decrease186,784
 • Rank77th
 • Density452/km2 (1,170/sq mi)
  • Rank7th
Human Achievement Index
 • HAI (2022)0.6552 "somewhat high"
Ranked 18th
GDP
 • Totalbaht 22 billion
(US$0.8 billion) (2019)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code
75xxx
Calling code034
ISO 3166 codeTH-75
Websitesamutsongkhram.go.th
Samut Songkhram Provincial Administrative Organization
องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม
Provincial Administrative Organization
Interactive map of Samut Songkhram Provincial Administrative Organization
Government
 • TypeLocal administrative divisions
 • BodySamut Songkhram Provincial Administrative Organization
 • PresidentJesada Yanpraphasiri
Websiteskm-pao.go.th

Samut Songkhram (Thai: สมุทรสงคราม, pronounced [sā.mùt sǒŋ.kʰrāːm]) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand.

Neighbouring provinces are (from the south clockwise) Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon. Local people call Samut Songkhram Mae Klong. The province is the smallest in area of all Thai provinces. Chang and Eng Bunker, the famous Siamese twins were born here on 11 May 1811.

Toponymy

The word "samut" originates from the Sanskrit word समुद्र samudra meaning 'ocean', and the word "songkhram" from Sanskrit संग्राम saṃgrāma meaning 'war'. Hence the name of the province literally means 'war ocean'. However, this province is colloquially known as "Mae Klong" after the name of the main river that flows past the area.

Geography

Mae Klong River in Samut Songkhram

Samut Songkhram is at the mouth of the Mae Klong River to the Bay of Bangkok (upper Gulf of Thailand). With several canals (khlong) the water of the river is spread through the province for irrigation. At the coast are many lakes for producing sea salt. The sandbar Don Hoi Lot at the mouth of the river is famous for its endemic shell population of Solen regularis.

It covers a total area of 416.7 km2 (about 160.9 sq mi). It can be considered the smallest province in Thailand. The total forest area is 30 km2 (12 sq mi) or 7.3 percent of provincial area.

This province is home to places of worship of the three major religions. There are 110 Buddhist temples, two Christian churches and one mosque. Additionally, Samut Songkhram is also home to the oldest Chinese joss house and almshouse in Thailand, which is over 215 years old.

History

Samut Songkhram or Mae Klong or Suan Nok (outside garden) was a part of Mueang Ratchaburi in the past. The old name of Mae Klong is Bang Chang which was centered at Tambon Amphawa, Samut Songkhram (from the district at present). During the transition from the Ayutthaya to the Thon Buri periods, it was separated from Ratchaburi and named Mueang Mae Klong.

Samut Songkhram was historically important during the establishment of Thon Buri as the kingdom's capital by King Taksin the Great. When the Burmese led an army to Tambon Bang Kung, the king gathered the people to build a fort and prevent the city from capture by the Burmese troops. This was an important act against the Burmese invaders at that time.

Mueang Mae Klong (actually pronounced "Mae Glawng"), changed its name into Samut Songkhram but the actual year is not known. It is assumed it occurred in 1752 to 1756 because the name of the province first appeared in the evidence from the first Thai enacted law: Later, a decree was found,issued from the reign of King Borommakot in 1756 and was identified as ordered to The Lord Rattanathibet, the Grand marshal of the Court. Apparently Kun Wisetvanish (Chean Ar Pan Teck), Kun Thip, and Meun Rukka Auksorn were daring ask to establish casinos in Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi and Samut Prakan.

Samut Songkhram is the birthplace of many famous Thai people whether King Rama II who was born in 1767 in Amphawa District or Chang and Eng Bunker who were born in 1811.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows a drum over a river. The Thai word for drum is klong, thus refers to the Mae Klong River, as well as the old name of the province, Mae Klong. On both sides of the river coconut trees are displayed as one of the main products of the province.

The provincial tree is Casuarina equisetifolia. Siamese giant carp (Catlocarpio siamensis) is the provincial fish.

The provincial slogan is "City of razor shells. Tops of the lychee trees. King Rama II Park. Passage of the Maeklong river. Worship the Buddhist image of Luang Pho Ban Laem."

Administrative divisions

Map with districts

Central government

The province is divided into three districts (amphoe). The districts are further divided into 36 subdistricts (tambons) and 284 villages (mubans).

No.DistrictThaiPop.SubdistrictsVillages
1.Mueang Samut Songkhramเมืองสมุทรสงคราม104,0281187
2.Bang Khonthiบางคนที30,38913101
3.Amphawaอัมพวา53,5761296
Total187,99336284

Local government

As of December 2023 there are: one Samut Songkhram provincial administrative organization - PAO (ongkan borihan suan changwat - o bo toh) and nine municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. The capital Samut Songkhram has town (thesaban mueang) status and eight are subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).

  Town municipality people  
 1 Samut Songkhram 25,623  
  Subdistrict mun. people      
 1 Suan Luang   4,982  5 Bang Krabue   1,960
 2 Amphawa   4,435  6 Mueang Mai   1,865
 3 Bang Chakreng   4,389  7 Bang Nok Khwaek   1,706
 4 Kradangnga   2,103  8 Bang Yi Rong   1,663
  Town municipality (thesaban mueang)
  Subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon)

The non-municipal areas are administered by 26 subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO) (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

  Municipalities Communities
  Samut Songkhram 14
  Amphawa 10
  Kradangnga 4
  Bang Nok Khwaek 5

Healthcare

Hospitals

There are three hospitals in the province:

Health promoting hospitals

There are total forty-nine health-promoting hospitals in the province, of which;

Demographics

Population

Population history of Samut Songkhram province is as follows:

19471960197019801990200020112020
124,894162,000159,000196,659206,506204,177194,086192,052

Religion

There are one hundred and twenty Theravada Buddhist temples in the province.

Climate

Samut Songkhram province has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). The monsoon season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

Climate data for Samut Songkhram (2022–2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.1
(93.4)		 34.0
(93.2)		 36.6
(97.9)		 37.0
(98.6)		 39.5
(103.1)		 37.9
(100.2)		 36.4
(97.5)		 37.4
(99.3)		 36.3
(97.3)		 34.5
(94.1)		 34.6
(94.3)		 35.2
(95.4)		 39.5
(103.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.3
(88.3)		 31.1
(88.0)		 32.1
(89.8)		 33.7
(92.7)		 35.0
(95.0)		 34.0
(93.2)		 33.6
(92.5)		 33.7
(92.7)		 33.0
(91.4)		 32.2
(90.0)		 32.2
(90.0)		 32.1
(89.8)		 32.8
(91.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.3
(81.1)		 27.9
(82.2)		 29.5
(85.1)		 30.6
(87.1)		 31.2
(88.2)		 30.4
(86.7)		 29.9
(85.8)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29.1
(84.4)		 28.6
(83.5)		 28.1
(82.6)		 27.8
(82.0)		 29.2
(84.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20.9
(69.6)		 23.1
(73.6)		 24.5
(76.1)		 25.7
(78.3)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.7
(78.3)		 25.3
(77.5)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.0
(75.2)		 24.1
(75.4)		 23.8
(74.8)		 21.3
(70.3)		 24.0
(75.3)
Record low °C (°F) 16.7
(62.1)		 19.0
(66.2)		 21.0
(69.8)		 18.6
(65.5)		 22.1
(71.8)		 23.4
(74.1)		 23.5
(74.3)		 22.6
(72.7)		 21.4
(70.5)		 22.0
(71.6)		 20.9
(69.6)		 17.5
(63.5)		 16.7
(62.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 2.3
(0.09)		 27.7
(1.09)		 45.3
(1.78)		 92.2
(3.63)		 116.7
(4.59)		 66.3
(2.61)		 93.8
(3.69)		 236.9
(9.33)		 271.2
(10.68)		 313.2
(12.33)		 77.3
(3.04)		 7.2
(0.28)		 1,201.1
(47.29)
Average rainy days 2 6 3 3 15 12 17 19 22 20 12 3 121
Average relative humidity (%) 72.5 79.3 79.9 74.7 78.6 76.4 77.2 80.4 81.6 81.9 78.9 84.3 77.3
Source:

Economy

Economic output

In 2022, Samut Songkhram province had an economic output of 29.2 billion baht (US$853 million). This amounts to per capita gross provincial product (GPP) of 165,279 baht (US$4,830). In 2024 the total workforce was 147,210 of which 104,056 persons were employed in economic activity. In agriculture and fishing 18,918 persons (18.2%) were employed and in the non-agricultural sector 85,138 persons (81.8%).

Gross Provincial Product (GPP)
  Activities Baht Percent
1Manufacturing6,691,000,00022.9
2Agriculture and Fishery6,309,000,00021.6
3Trade4,624,000,00015.8
4Transportation2,279,000,0007.8
5Financial1,888,000,0006.5
6Construction1,155,000,0004.0
7Defence / publ.admin.1,125,000,0003.9
8Human health1,105,000,0003.8
9Education1,044,000,0003.6
10Real estate893,000,0003.0
11Hotel and restaurant519,000,0001.8
12Energy501,000,0001.7
13Informatica280,000,0001.0
14Pastime246,000,0000.8
15Other service activity213,000,0000.7
16Water supply143,000,0000.5
17Administration100,000,0000.3
18Mining85,000,0000.3
 Total29,200,000,000100
Employed persons
  Activities Workforce Percent
1Manufacturing25,30224.3
2Agriculture and fishing18,91818.2
3Trade18,77518.0
4Hotel and restaurant11,66711.2
5Construction6,6906.4
6Other serv. activity5,0294.9
7Defence / publ.admin.4,4594.3
8Education3,7753.6
9Human health2,3082.2
10Transportation2,2232.1
11Financial1,3891.3
12Administration1,2911.2
13Energy4990.5
14Informatica4700.5
15Household enterprise4130.4
16Scientific activity4060.4
17Pastime2810.3
18Real estate1610.2
 Total104,056100

Economic activity

Samut Songkhram is a leader in Thai salt production, with 4,535 rai worked in 2011 by 111 households to produce salt.

Aside from salt Samut Songkhram is also known for the variety of fruits, especially lychee, pomelo and coconut.

Local products

Pla thu (ปลาทู, 'short mackerel') is regarded as an important commercial fish and the most famous product of the province. Mackerel from Samut Songkhram is well known as "Pla Thu Mae Klong." Because the province borders the Bay of Bangkok, which is rich in plankton, the staple food of this fish species, Samut Songkhram's pla thu have a distinctive characteristic locally called "na ngo kor hak" (หน้างอ คอหัก, "curved face, broken neck"). This unique trait contributes to their large body size and delicious meat.

They can be cooked into a variety of dishes such as Pla thu tom madan (ปลาทูต้มมะดัน, 'pla thu in spicy and sour soup'), Chu chee pla thu (ฉู่ฉี่ปลาทู, 'pla thu in red curry sauce'), Pla thu sa tia (ปลาทูซาเตี๊ยะ, 'pla thu in sweet black soup'), and even pla thu burgers made from their meat, a specialty that can only be found in Samut Songkhram.

One exclusive dish is Khao tom sam kasat (ข้าวต้มสามกษัตริย์, "three kings porridge"), a congee featuring pla thu, prawn, and fresh squid. This menu is said to have originated from King Rama V's visit to the people at Mae Klong. He personally prepared this dish based on his own original ideas, and it has since become a legendary food. It is even recorded that Prince Damrong Rajanubhab remarked he had never tasted congee as delicious anywhere else.

Local festivals

Transport

Rail

Maeklong Station

Samut Songkhram's main station, Maeklong railway station, is on the Maeklong Railway. The railway is known for its route through the Maeklong Railway Market, nicknamed (Thai: ตลาดร่มหุบ; RTGS: talat rom hup), meaning the 'umbrella pulldown market'. It is one of the largest seafood markets in Thailand, and is centred on the Maeklong Railway's track. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shop fronts are moved back from the rails, to be replaced once the train has passed.

Road

Rama II Road is a main road of Samut Songkhram, it is a road that leads to south as well as Petchkasem Road, starting from Bangkok's Thonburi side. Its named in honour to King Rama II. Samut Songkhram is about 63 km (39 mi) from Bangkok by this road.

The famous floating market, Talat Nam Amphawa can be reached by this road.

Human achievement index 2022

Health Education Employment Income
9 7 7 12
Housing Family Transport Participation
61 72 10 70
Province Samut Songkhram, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.9552 is "somewhat high", occupies place 18 in the ranking.

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.

RankClassification
  1 - 13"high"
14 - 29"somewhat high"
30 - 45"average"
46 - 61"somewhat low"
62 - 77"low"

References

  1. ↑ "Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019". Royal Forest Department. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Official statistics registration systems". Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). Retrieved 10 February 2025. , year 2024, provincial level, Excel File, no.75
  3. 1 2 "ข้อมูลสถิติดัชนีความก้าวหน้าของคน ปี 2565 (PDF)" [Human Achievement Index Databook year 2022 (PDF)]. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) (in Thai). Retrieved 12 March 2024. , page 74
  4. ↑ "Gross Regional and Provincial Product, 2019 Edition". Gross Regional and Provincial Product. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). July 2019. ISSN 1686-0799. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Phataranawik, Phatarawadee (13 May 2018). "Descendants celebrate Siamese Twins and Thai-US friendship". The Nation. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "สงคราม - Wiktionary". Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  7. ↑ "สมุทรสงคราม มาจากไหน/ ค้นหลักฐานเมืองจากสมัยสมเด็จพระบรมไตรโลกนาถ" [Where did Samut Songkhram come from/ search for the city evidence from the King Borommatrailokkanat's reign]. Silpa Wattanatham (in Thai). 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  8. ↑ "ตารางที่ 2 พี้นที่ป่าไม้ แยกรายจังหวัด พ.ศ.2562" [Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019]. Royal Forest Department (in Thai). 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2021. , information, Forest statistics Year 2019
  9. ↑ พระเครื่อง – หน้า 15, เปิดเมนูเด็ดเทศกาลกินเจ 'ศาลเจ้าซิ่วฮกตั๊ว'เลี้ยงฟรีตลอดงาน. ข่าวสด วันพุธที่ 2 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2567 ปีที่ 34 ฉบับที่ 12,362 Thai: ภาษาไทย
  10. ↑ Suraset Meesin (story) and Editorial Team (photos), ปลาเด็ด 77 จังหวัด #6 (Cool fish in 77 provinces #6), Aquarium Biz, Vol. 4 Issue 44 (February 2014) Thai: ภาษาไทย
  11. 1 2 3 4 koi_la_zy (22 September 2011). "จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม" [Samut Songkhram province]. Mthai (in Thai). Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Official statistics registration systems". Department of Provincial Administration. Retrieved 10 January 2025. , year 2023, village level, ExcelFile, no.7501-7599, Excel line 79672-80009
  13. ↑ "พระราชฤษฎีกา เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตเทศบาลเมืองสมุทรสงคราม จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม พ.ศ. ๒๕๐๘" [Royal Decree: Samut Songkhram town municipality, Samut Songkhram province B.E. 2508 (1965)] (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette. 82 (96): 1054–1060. 9 November 1965. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "ประวัติความเป็นมา" [History]. suanluang.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , Suan Luang SAO was established and transformed into Suan Luang subdistrict municipality in the year 2003.
  15. ↑ "ประวัติความเป็นมา" [History]. bangkrabuecity.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , Bang Krabue subdistrict municipality established on 12 October 2009.
  16. ↑ "ประวัติความเป็นมา" [History]. amphawa.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , Became Amphawa subdistrict municipality on 16 October 1940.
  17. ↑ "หน้าหลัก" [Home page]. muangmaicity.go.th (in Thai). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  18. ↑ "Number of local government organizations: Summary elevating local authorities". dla.go.th. Department of Local Administration (DLA). 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2020. , No.3.135 Established Bang Chakreng Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), Mueang district, Samut Songkhram province is Bang Chakreng subdistrict municipality, effectively 31 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "ประวัติตำบล" [Municipal history]. bnk.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , Change the status of sanitation district to subdistrict municipality, effective from 25 May 1999.
  20. ↑ "ประวัติความเป็นมา" [History]. kdg.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , Kradangnga subdistrict municipality has been changed from sanitation district on 25 May 1999.
  21. ↑ "Number of local government organizations: Summary elevating local authorities". dla.go.th. Department of Local Administration (DLA). 12 October 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2020. , No.3.23 Established Bang Yi Rong Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), Bang Khonthi district, Samut Songkhram province is Bang Yi Rong subdistrict municipality.
  22. ↑ Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), List of 5,324 SAO's information as of date 20 December 2019, 26 SAO's (no.4170-4195) were established in 1995 (2), in 1996 (13) and in 1997 (11).
  23. ↑ "ชุมชนในเขตเทศบาล" [Municipal communities]. smsk-city.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , 14 communities.
  24. ↑ "สภาพทางสังคม" [Social conditions]. amphawa.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , 10 communities.
  25. ↑ "สภาพทางสังคม" [Social conditions]. kdg.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , 4 communities.
  26. ↑ "ข้อมูลชุมชน" [Community information]. bnk.go.th (in Thai). 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. , 5 communities.
  27. ↑ "Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2012". National Statistical Office Thailand. Retrieved 25 April 2025. , year 2011
  28. ↑ "Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2021". National Statistical Office Thailand. Retrieved 25 April 2025. , year 2020
  29. ↑ "tables 20.6-20.8". Samut Songkhram Provincial Statistical Office. National Statistical Office (NSO) (Report). 2024. ISSN 1905-8314. , Samut Songkhram Meteorological Station 2022-2023
  30. ↑ "Economic Statistics - National Accounts". Samut Songkhram Provincial Statistical Report 2567-2024. Samut Songkhram Provincial Statistical Office (Report). National Statistical Office (NSO). 2024. ISSN 1905-8314. , table 10.1 and 10.2 Gross Provincial Product by Economic Activity-2022
  31. ↑ "Labour Statistics". Phitsanulok Provincial Statistical Report 2567-2024. Samut Songkhram Provincial Statistical Office (Report). National Statistical Office (NSO). 2024. ISSN 1905-8314. , tabel 2.2 and 2.4 Employed Persons by Economic Activity - 2024
  32. ↑ Wattanavanitvut, Phongthai (10 September 2016). "Salt industry prepares for a shake-up". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 Srimaneekulroj, Kanin (11 December 2015). "Fish for a compliment". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  34. ↑ Bunnag, Rome (2018-11-16). "ปลาทู อาหารคนจนจริงหรือ/ เปิดตำนาน "ข้าวต้มสามกษัตริย์" ตำรับ ร.๕ ทรงประดิษฐ์!!" [Pla thu really poor food, opening the legend of "Khao tom sam kasat", recipe of Rama V the royal invented!!]. ASTV Manager (in Thai). Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  35. ↑ ""ลอยกระทงกาบกล้วย" เอกลักษณ์งานลอยกระทงแห่งเมืองแม่กลอง สมุทรสงคราม" [“Banana Leaf-Sheaf Loy Krathong”, the unique identity of the Loy Krathong festival in Mae Klong, Samut Songkhram]. ASTV Manager (in Thai). 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  36. ↑ "Maeklong Railway Market: Marketplace With a Railway Track Through it". Amusing Planet. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  37. ↑ "The Mae Khlong Mahachai Railway". Thailand by Train. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  38. ↑ Cunningham, Susan. "The Market Where a Train Runs Through". Southeast Asia Traveler. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.

13°24′46″N 100°0′6″E / 13.41278°N 100.00167°E / 13.41278; 100.00167