Samut Songkhram Province

Samut Songkhram
สมุทรสงคราม
Province

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): Mae Klong

Map of Thailand highlighting Samut Songkhram Province
Country Thailand
Capital Samut Songkhram
Government
 • Governor Khanchat Tansathian (since October 2016)
Area
 • Total 416.7 km2 (160.9 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 76th
Population (2017)
 • Total 193,902
 • Rank Ranked 75th
 • Density 470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 5th
Time zone UTC+7 (ICT)
ISO 3166 code TH-75

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.[1]

Etymology

The word "samut" originates from the Sanskrit word समुद्र samudra meaning 'ocean', and the word "songkhram" from Sanskrit सङ्ग्राम saṅgrāmḥa meaning 'war'. Hence the name of the province literally means 'war ocean'.

Geography

Samut Songkhram is at the mouth of the Mae Klong River to the 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.

History

In the Ayutthaya period the area of Samut Songkhram was known as "suan nok" (Thai สวนนอก, 'outer garden') and was administered by Ratchaburi. During the reign of King Taksin it was made a province. It was the birthplace of Queen Amarindra of King Rama I. The birthplace of King Rama II in Amphawa District is now a memorial park.

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.

The provincial slogan is "City of Hoi Lot, Top Lychee, King Rama II Memorial Park, the Mae Klong River, and Luangpho Ban Laem".

Economy

Samut Songkhram is a leader in Thai salt production, with 4,535 rai worked in 2011 by 111 households to produce salt.[2]

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into three districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 38 communes (tambons) and 284 villages (mubans). There is one town (thesaban mueang) and three townships (thesaban tambons).

  1. Mueang Samut Songkhram
  2. Bang Khonthi
  3. Amphawa
  
Talat Nam Amphawa

Transport

Rail

Maeklong Station

Samut Songkhram's main station, Maeklong, 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'.[3] It is one of the largest seafood markets in Thailand, and is centred on the Maeklong Railway's track.[4] Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shop fronts are moved back from the rails, to be replaced once the train has passed.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Phataranawik, Phatarawadee (13 May 2018). "Descendants celebrate Siamese Twins and Thai-US friendship". The Nation. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Wattanavanitvut, Phongthai (10 September 2016). "Salt industry prepares for a shake-up". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Maeklong Railway Market: Marketplace With a Railway Track Through it". Amusing Planet. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  4. ↑ "The Mae Khlong Mahachai Railway". Thailand by Train. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Cunningham, Susan. "The Market Where a Train Runs Through". Southeast Asia Traveler. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.

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

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