Samut Sakhon was formerly
called “Tha Chin” probably because,
in the old days, it had been a trading port
dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks.
In 1548, a town named “Sakhon Buri”
was established at the mouth of the Tha
Chin River. It was a centre for recruiting
troops from various seaside towns. The name
of the town was changed into "Mahachai"
when Khlong (canal) Mahachai was dug in
1704 to join the Tha Chin River at the town.
Later, the town was renamed “Samut
Sakhon” by King Rama IV but it is
still popularly called "Mahachai"
by the villagers.
Samut Sakhon is located 30 kms.
from Bangkok. The province occupies a
total area of 872 square kilometres and
is administratively divided into 3 districts:
Muang Samut Sakhon, Krathum Baen, and
Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port
and also the biggest producer of brine
salt.
