10 THINGS TO DO IN SAMUT SONGKHRAM

 Phra Bat Somdet Phra Phutthaloetlanaphalai Memorial Park (King Rama II Park), Amphoe Amphawa (อุทยานพระบรมราชานุสรณ์ พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธเลิศหล้านภาลัย (อุทยาน ร.2) อำเภออัมพวา) is a project in honour of King Rama II for his great works in art and culture to be preserved as a national heritage. He was in the list of Thai people in UNESCO’s Anniversaries of Great Personalities and Historic Events. The attraction site used to be his birthplace as well.  

The Park consists of 5 traditional Thai houses, in which 4 of them are the showcase of the early Rattanakosin period Thai way of life museum as follows: 

• Ruean Chai exhibits the Thai boys’ lifestyle in the past; they would be sent to study with monks at the temple so that when they grew up, they could work with the government. In addition, this building displays an ancient recreational game called “Mak Ska” and Thai musical instruments.
• Ruean Klang (Principal House) is an exhibition of various rooms in the house; such as, Buddha image room, bedroom, hot compress massage room, and dressing room. It also replicates the lifestyle of Thai women in the early Rattanakosin period; they used skin cosmetics applied from nature. Furthermore, the artefacts in the early Rattanakosin era during the reign of King Rama II are displayed; such as, the five-coloured Thai porcelain (Benjarong ceramics).
• Ruean Ying showcases the Thai girls’ way of life in the old times; they studied housekeeping and handicrafts at home to prepare for being a good wife in the future.
• Ruean Klang Nam is the Amphawa cultural heritage museum exhibiting the way of life of the community by the river, the unique character of Amphawa including temples, houses, music, food and desserts, culture and traditions.

In addition, the Park includes an open theatre and botanical garden of various plant species from Thai literature that is situated in the replica of the Sanam Chan Hall and sculptures from King Rama II’s literature as well as a shop selling local product items and plant breeds. It is recommended for persons who love the Thai traditional attraction with  a shady atmosphere. Open between Monday – Friday during 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. and on the weekend during 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.

The Amphawa-Chaiphatthananurak Conservation Project, Tambon Amphawa, Amphoe Amphawa (โครงการอัมพวาชัยพัฒนานุรักษ์ ตำบลอัมพวา อำเภออัมพวา) located near the Amphawa Floating Market, is a royal initiative project of HRH Princess Sirindhorn with an objective of carrying on local wisdom and preserving the Amphawa people’s way of living. The Amphawa Community has a long history relating to Thailand’s identity. 

The Project has been divided into different zones comprising geosocial and the King philosophy’s sufficiency economy, Agricultural Demonstration Farm for learning; such as, coconut plantation and other plants’ gardens, community shops, Nakhawarang Cultural Playground, which is a multi-purpose area for organising activities and selling souvenirs made by the Amphawa people, coffee shop aged more than 200 years, Local Amphawa Museum displaying antique utensils found in Amphoe Amphawa and Chan Chala Coffee and Tea House serving beverages and snacks.  

In addition, Ban Khru Uea, as part of the project, is an old house displaying the biography and works including personal utensils of Master Uea Sunthornsanan, a renowned Amphawa native singer.  

For more information, please visit www.amphawanurak.com.

 Situated on the river plains of Samut Songkram with fertile sand rich in nutrients for plants, it is no surprise that Bang Phalp community makes an ideal area for growing orchards, especially tropical fruits like coconuts, mangos, rose apples, lychee and Kao Yai pomelo, which has firm flesh unlike the other kinds.

The long list of fruits grown here has catalyzed the local fresh produce industry, with many villagers inspired to make a living by growing and harvesting fruits. In addition to the income from delivering fresh fruits directly to tourists, this also helps to spread local agricultural wisdom to the neighboring provinces.

The community masters of Bang Phlap are all friendly farmers who never get tired of sharing their wisdom about home-grown toxic-free pomelo fruit, and are willing to share their techniques with budding farmers (perhaps like you) to apply at home. The remaining fruits are converted into fruit coal or preserved in syrup for future consumption. 

Apart from chemical-free fresh fruits from the community orchards, you can try tasty, sweet and savory dishes made using seasonal fruits. Examples include sour banana stalk soup with pork ribs, soft coconut shell and prawn soup and “Ray Rai” – steamed dough topped with coconut milk and sugar. These are all incredibly delicious dishes hard to find anywhere else in Thailand.

Pick up the techniques of using local material to create variety of products, and experience the local way of life through activities which can be adapted in daily life.

1. Palm sugar production, being preserved for over 200 years
2. Fruit preservation process, being preserved for 160 years.
3. Traditional Thai foods and desserts cooking

• Take a train ride through the famous Maeklong Railway Market.
• Make coconut sugar and Kaeng Kala Krub (crunchy coconut curry).
• Make fruit charcoal and preserved fruits.
• Learn how to make Thai Kite.
• Organic pomelo farming.
• Cooking Rang Rai (Rice dumplings with sugar and sesame).
• Feed the monkeys and help with planting a mangrove forest.