Samut Songkhram
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Samut Songkhram
| native_name = สมุทรสงคราม
| native_name_lang = th
| settlement_type = Town municipality
| image_skyline = Talad Rom Hoop (I).jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Maeklong railway station
| nickname = Mae Klong
| motto =
| image_seal = Logo Samut Songkhram.png
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{Coord|13|24|35|N|100|00|06|E|region:TH_type:city(30000)|display=title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| pushpin_map = Thailand
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Thailand}}
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 =
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = Mueang Samut Songkhram District
| seat_type =
| seat =
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 8.0
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 25,623
| population_as_of = 2023
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 3,203
| population_density_rank =
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| timezone1 = ICT
| utc_offset1 = +7
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 75000
| area_code_type = Calling code
| area_code = 034
| iso_code = TH-750101
| website = {{URL|smsk-city.go.th}}
| footnotes =
}}
Samut Songkhram ({{langx|th|สมุทรสงคราม}} ([http://www.forvo.com/word/Samut_Songkhram#th Pronunciation])) is a city in Western Thailand region, the capital of Samut Songkhram province, a route to the south of Thailand. It is {{convert|63|km}} from Bangkok and has a population of 25,623 people as of 2023.
Toponymy
The word "samut" originates from the Sanskrit word "samudra" meaning "ocean", and the word "songkhram" from the Sanskrit "sangrama" meaning "war". Hence the name of the province literally means "war ocean".{{cite web|title=Samut Songkhram|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Samut-Songkhram|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|accessdate=29 May 2015}}
Geography
Samut Songkhram is at the mouth of the Mae Klong River to the Gulf of Thailand. By means of canals (khlong) the water of the river is spread through the province for irrigation. At the coast are many evaporation ponds for producing sea salt.
The subdistrict is bordered to the north by Ban Prok and Lat Yai subdistricts, Mueang Samut Songkhram district, to the east by Bang Kaeo and Bang Chakreng subdistricts, Mueang Samut Songkhram district, to the south by Bang Chakreng and Laem Yai subdistricts, Mueang Samut Songkhram district, to the west by Laem Yai and Yai Hat subdistricts, Mueang Samut Songkhram district.{{cite web |url=https://www.smsk-city.go.th |title=General conditions |access-date=20 January 2025 | postscript=, Location}}
History
In the Ayutthaya period the area of Samut Songkhram was known as Suan Nok (Thai สวนนอก, "outer garden") and was administrated by Ratchaburi. During the reign of King Taksin it became a province. It was the birthplace of Queen Amarindra of King Rama I, who also initiated the name Suan Nok. The birthplace of King Rama II in Amphawa district is now a memorial park.
On 29 November 1936 Samut Songkhram town municipality was established, with an area of approximately {{convert|3.0|sqkm}}.{{cite journal |date=29 November 1936 |title=พระราชกฤษฎีกา จัดตั้เทศบาลเมืองสมุทรสงคราม จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม พุทธศักราช ๒๔๗๙ |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2479/A/837.PDF |trans-title=Royal Decree Establish of Samut Songkhram town municipality Samut Songkhram province B.E. 2479 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |language=thai |volume=53 |issue= |pages=837-841 |access-date=20 January 2025}} and was expanded to a total area of {{convert|8.0|sqkm}} on 10 November 1965.{{cite journal |date=9 November 1965 |title=พระราชกฤษฎีกา จัดตั้เทศบาลเมืองสมุทรสงคราม จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม พ.ศ.2508 |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2508/A/096/1054.PDF |trans-title=Royal Decree Change Area Samut Songkhram town municipality Samut Songkhram province B.E. 2508 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |language=thai |volume=82 |issue= |pages=1054-1060 |access-date=20 January 2025}}
Economy
Most of the people in the municipality are fisherman or work in the three processed seafood factories.{{cite web |url=https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/file_document/20250210104833_new.pdf |title=List of Thailand fish and Seafood Establishments Approved for Export to Taiwan |access-date=10 February 2025 |department=Department of Fisheries |postscript= , reg.no. 3028, 3158 and 3159}}
Transportation
The subdistrict is the intersection of highway 35 eastbound (Bangkok route), highway 35 westbound (Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province), highway 325 northbound (Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province).
There is Maeklong Railway a Tha Chalom - Mae Klong train service, starting from Ban Laem station, Tha Chalom subdistrict, Samut Sakhon to Maeklong station, Samut Songkhram (distance {{convert|33.7|km}}).
{{clear}}
Administration
=Central government=
The administration of Samut Songkhram city is responsible for only Mae Klong subdistrict (tambon) with 5,000 rai ~ {{convert|8.0|sqkm}} and 25,623 people, but no villages (muban).
File:Mae Klong subdistrict.svg
{{clear}}
=Local government=
Samut Songkhram town municipality (thesaban mueang) covers the whole Mae Klong subdistrict. There are 14 communities (chumchon), although not directly chosen by the local citizens, which provides advice and recommendations to the local administrative organization.
File:Communities of Samut Songkhram.svg
{{clear right}}
class="wikitable" style="width:50%;" | ||
No. | Community | Thai |
---|---|---|
1. | Wat Yai | วัดใหญ่ |
2. | Soi Wat Lang Ban | ซอยวัดหลังบ้าน |
3. | Ekachai | เอกชัย |
4. | Soi Chumsai Thorasap | ซอยชุมสายโทรศัพท์ |
5. | Wat Pomkaew | วัดป้อมแก้ว |
6. | Wat Phet Samut Worawihan | วัดเพชรสมุทรวรวิหาร |
7. | Talat | ตลาด |
8. | Wat Thammanimit | วัดธรรมนิมิต |
9. | Bang Chakreng 1 | บางจะเกร็ง 1 |
10. | Bang Chakreng 2 | บางจะเกร็ง 2 |
11. | Bang Chakreng 3, 4 | บางจะเกร็ง 3, 4 |
12. | Laem Yai | แหลมใหญ่ |
13. | Wat Pratum Kanawat | วัดประทุมคณาวาส |
14. | Saphan 4 - Wat Puangmalai | สะพาน 4 - วัดพวงมาลัย |
Religion
Most of the people in the municipality are Buddhist. There are six Buddhist tempels and there is a Christian church.
=Temples=
The following active temples, where Theravada Buddhism is practised by local residents:{{cite web |url=https://www.dhammastudy.org/temple/ |title=list of temples (1) |access-date=20 January 2025 |postscript= , Sect Maha Nikai no.275010101-275010105}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dhammastudy.org/temple/ |title=list of temples (2) |access-date=20 January 2025 |postscript= , Sect Dhammayut no.675010101}}
class="wikitable" style="width:50%;" | ||
Temple name | Thai | Location |
---|---|---|
Wat Yai | วัดใหญ่ | Comm.1 |
Wat Pomkaew | ซัดป้อมแก้ว | Comm.5 |
Wat Phet Samut Worawihan | วัดเพชรสมุทรวรวิหาร | Comm.6 |
Wat Thamnimit | วัดธรรมนิมิต | Comm.8 |
Wat Pratum Kanawat | วัดประทุมคณาวาส | Comm.13 |
Wat Puangmalai | วัดพวงมาลัย | Comm.14 |
Education
There are the following schools in the city:{{cite web |url=https://www.smsk-city.go.th |title=Social conditions |access-date=20 January 2025 | postscript=, Education}}
- Wat Yai Municipality school (comm.1)
- Wat Pomkaew Municipality school (comm.5)
- Wat Thamnimit Municipality school (comm.8)
- Wat Pratum Kanawat Municipality school (comm.13)
- Saengwanit Municipality school (comm.14)
- Thawaranukul school (comm.3)
- Samut Songkhram Municipality school (comm.3)
- Prakob Witthaya school (comm.2)
- Anuban Samut Songkhram school (comm.4)
- Drunanukul school (comm.10)
- Kong Li Chian Lin school (comm.14)
Healthcare
There is no health promoting hospital in Mae Klong. But there are Somdej Phra Phuttaloetla Hospital (282 beds) and Mae Klong 2 Hospital (60 beds), as well as 42 private and dental clinics.{{cite web |url=https://www.smsk-city.go.th |title=Social conditions |access-date=20 January 2025 | postscript=, Public health}}
Notable people
- Chang and Eng Bunker, the original "Siamese twins"
Climate
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Samut Songkhram (1992–2019)
|Jan high C = 30.5
|Feb high C = 31.3
|Mar high C = 32.3
|Apr high C = 33.6
|May high C = 33.7
|Jun high C = 33.2
|Jul high C = 32.8
|Aug high C = 32.9
|Sep high C = 32.4
|Oct high C = 31.7
|Nov high C = 31.4
|Dec high C = 30.7
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 26.0
|Feb mean C = 27.4
|Mar mean C = 28.7
|Apr mean C = 29.8
|May mean C = 29.6
|Jun mean C = 29.2
|Jul mean C = 28.8
|Aug mean C = 28.8
|Sep mean C = 28.3
|Oct mean C = 27.9
|Nov mean C = 27.2
|Dec mean C = 25.8
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 21.6
|Feb low C = 23.3
|Mar low C = 25.0
|Apr low C = 25.9
|May low C = 26.2
|Jun low C = 26.0
|Jul low C = 25.7
|Aug low C = 25.7
|Sep low C = 25.2
|Oct low C = 24.7
|Nov low C = 23.5
|Dec low C = 21.5
| year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 19.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 3.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 41.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 138.1
|May precipitation mm = 250.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 248.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 250.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 210.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 220.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 260.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 66.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 9.6
|year precipitation mm =
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 2
| Feb precipitation days = 1
| Mar precipitation days = 3
| Apr precipitation days = 4
| May precipitation days = 11
| Jun precipitation days = 14
| Jul precipitation days = 15
| Aug precipitation days = 16
| Sep precipitation days = 17
| Oct precipitation days = 18
| Nov precipitation days = 6
| Dec precipitation days = 2
| year precipitation days =
|source 1 = Soil Resources Survey and Research Division{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240603041121/https://webapp.ldd.go.th/lpd/node_modules/img/Download/zonmap/zonmap2/province/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1.pdf
| archive-date = 3 June 2024
| url = https://webapp.ldd.go.th/lpd/node_modules/img/Download/zonmap/zonmap2/province/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1.pdf
| title = แผนการใช้ที่ดินจังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม
| publisher = Land Development Department
| access-date = 3 June 2024}}
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Wikivoyage inline|Samut Songkhram}}
Gallery
{{Gallery
|width=120
|height=100
|align=center
|File:Mae Klong in Samut Songkhram.jpg
|Mae Klong River, Samut Songkhram
|File:Train_at_Samut_Songkhram_market_on_the_rails.jpg
|Maeklong Railway train, Samut Songkhram|File:Chonburi F.C. vd Samut.jpg
|Samut Songkhram football field
}}