Although there are many kinds of travelers, from backpackers to those who can afford luxury accommodations, they all have the same goal: to see and do as much as possible. Samut Sakhon is a small central province located 36 km west of Bangkok that, surprisingly, offers quite a few not-so-common things to do and appeals to any kind of traveler.
Regardless of whether you’re travelling alone, with kids, or in a group, Samut Sakhon is a great place to spend a weekend in.
On your next trip to Samut Sakhon, make sure don’t miss out on these five things:
- go on a long-tail boat river ride,
- feed the river monkeys,
- plant trees in the mangrove forest,
- go mud surfing, and
- explore the salt ponds and flats.
From a geographical point of view, Samut Sakhon province is located at the mouth of Tha Chin River and is only two kilometers away from the Gulf of Thailand. Historically, “Tha Chin,” the name the province was known as, was an important trading port especially for the Chinese merchants who stopped here to unload their fares and do business. During the 16th century, the province was also fortified to help in the fight against Siam’s historical enemy, Burma.
These days, the province is not only a peaceful place, but also laid back and the main economic activities here gravitate around the river and the sea which is harvested for its seafood and salt. Samut Sakhon is also famous for its vast orchards, vegetable plantations, and orchid farms, making it thus a great destination year-round for the Thais who come here for great bargains.
Bungalows at Baanmai Chailane Resort in Samut Sakhon
If you’re traveling to Samut Sakhon with the intension of having fun while at the same time connecting with the nature around you, then it’s advisable to organize all your outings through the resort you’re staying at. Most resorts have travel packages that include daily trips and activities in the surrounding area. Baanmai Chailane is such a mid-range resort that has great cottages built right on the bank of the river.
After you’ve checked in and dropped your luggage, waste no time and head for the reception to arrange a day full of adventure.
Long-tail boat river ride on Tha Chin River
1. Go on a long-tail boat river ride
Your adventure trip will start with a long-tail boat ride on Tha Chin River. As you navigate the canals branching out of the river, you will have a chance to see the local communities going about their daily business. Houses are literally built above the water on stilts and you’ll see many children jumping in the river from their house porches. The engine of the boat can be a bit noisy, but you will soon become engrossed with the lush vegetation around you and forget all the worries of the hectic life we live in the city.
Give the river monkeys some bananas
2. Feed the river monkeys
The boat ride will offer you surprises at every turn and it is quite amazing how the nature around you changes from a narrow canal to a wide river and then back to a narrow water lane. The pilot of the boat seems to absent-mindedly take his vessel through this and that thicket and not once you might wonder if he’ll find his way back. But, rest assured, he’s taking you to your next stop: a place full of monkeys bathing in the river.
Here, the boat will slow down and give you a chance to throw bananas and other small fruits at the monkeys who expertly catch them in the air. Since they are still wild animals, the boat never stops nor does it get too close to the monkeys. You wouldn’t want to wrestle your favourite cap from the hands of a monkey that climbed aboard!
Plant mangrove seedlings
3. Plant trees in the mangrove forest
Soon after you leave the monkeys behind, you’ll arrive at a spot in the estuary where the vegetation around you is not that thick. There’s no mooring area and you’ll have to get off the boat and literally sink knee-deep in the mud. Be warned that trudging the few steps to firmer ground won’t be a walk in the park and there are high chances of you losing your balance and ending up on your fours, all covered up in mud.
The boat co-pilot will help you with the crossing and will also show you how and where to plant mangrove tree seedling. Your effort is not just some sort of show arranged for tourists! The seedling you’re planting will grow into adult trees and become part of the larger mangrove forest lining up the shores of Samut Sakhon.
No waves? No problem. Let’s go mud surfing!
4. Go mud surfing
By now you’re all covered up in mud but you feel great knowing that you’ve actually done something that will have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and environment. It’s time to get really muddy then. Without caring anymore how much mud you have on your body, you negotiate your way back to the boat and enjoy the ride to the mouth of the river where, lo and behold, other travelers just like you are mud surfing! Or, at least, they’re trying to.
The pilots give you from under the boat seats a wooden plank and invite you to get off and try to maintain you balance on the board while it slides in the mud. Although you won’t be on two feet for too many seconds (unless you have the skills of a surfer), the activity is really fun and you’ll discover various ways to compensate for your lack of mud surfing abilities. (Throwing wet mud at your friends is one.)
An amazing seafood dish
5. Check out the salt evaporation ponds and flats
You’ll be back at your resort at sundown and, after a dinner consisting of every imaginable seafood dish possible, you immediately fall asleep. The following day, on your way back to Bangkok, look out for salt evaporation ponds and flats where local farmers rake the salt off the dry flats, shovel it in wheelbarrows, and carry it to a waiting truck. If you want to feed some money straight into the community, consider buying some salt from the makeshift stalls lining up the ponds.
How to get to Samut Sakhon
From Bangkok, Samut Sakhon can be easily reached by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal or by private car via Phetchakasem Road and then on the outer ring road. You can also take the train from Wongwian Yai Railway Station, but the journey is more complicated as you’ll have to change trains.
