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[
Mahachai Market ]
This is one of Thailand's largest traditional fresh seafood markets,
but visitors can find much more than seafood, especially if there is
time to spare. Handicrafts such as wicker furniture, pottery and local
sarongs are among the colorful offerings in the market. Crossing the
river from Mahachai to the west bank, visitors will arrive at Tha
Chalom, a large fishing village and industrial land for marine
products.
Wat Yai Chom
Prasat
Located no Highway No. 35 with a left turn after crossing the Tha Chin
River, this is an ancient temple presumed to have been built during
the Ayutthaya era. The doors and windows of both the old and new
chapels were neatly and beautifully carved in various floral designs.
It is believed the craftsmen were Chinese, as the carvings include
some Chinese trees.
[
Wat Chong Lom or
Wat Sutthi Wata Wararam ]
This temple fronting the river mouth is located at Tambon Tha Chalom
on the western side of the Tha Chin River. It was constructed during
the Ayutthaya period. Religious buildings in the temple have been
beautifully renovated. The windy area by the sea is used as a rest
area for the locals.
[
Wichian Chodok Fortress ]
This fortress is located near the city pillar shrine in the town. It
was constructed in 1827 during the reign of King Rama III to prevent
sea invasion by an enemy. It can be seen as ruins nowadays. The
cannons, which used to be housed in the fortress, are now displayed at
the city pillar shrine and the city hall.
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Phanthai Norasing Shrine
]
This is regarded as the symbol of honesty. It was erected to be a
memorial to Phanthai Norasing, a man of integrity of the Ayutthaya
period. The historic event occurred in 1704 when Phra Chao Sua, a king
of Ayutthaya, made a royal visit by the Ekkachai royal barge via the
curved Khok Kham Canal. Phanthai Norasing, who was the coxswain, could
not operate the steering, thus causing the prow to be broken by
hitting the limb of a tree. To foster the palace law, the coxswain
then begged the king to slaughter him although he was forgiven. After
his death, the king built a shrine in Khlong Khok Kham and commanded
to have a new canal, later named Khlong Mahachai, dug to eliminate the
sharp curves of Khok Kham Canal. A cruise along the canal is possible
by boat chartered from a landing near the Mahachai Market. The trip
takes about 2 hours.
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Bird Watching
]
Wat Ratsatthakayara
in Tambon Lak Sam, Amphoe Ban Phaeo is where thousands of
birds live in peace among the bushes. Migrating mangrove birds can be
found along the muddy shore between the Tha Chin and Mae Klong Rivers
during the cool season.
[
Salt Farms ]
 Samut Sakhon is the biggest producer of brine salt. Its picturesque
salt farms, which sprawl across the border with Samut Songkhram and
along the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway, have provided a back drop for
many holiday snapshots. |
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