Mueang Samut Songkhram District: Sandbank, Temples and Mangroves

An extensive sandbank at the mouth of the Mae Klong River, mangroves, and temples with remarkable Buddha images give Mueang Samut Songkhram District its diverse character. Don Hoi Lot offers an excursion into a distinctive river and seascape; temples and local traditions provide other points of interest. You can tailor your stay to whether you would most like to discover nature, culture, or both.

Don Hoi Lot: Sandbank, Boats and Local Specialties

Don Hoi Lot was formed by the deposition of sandy soil at the mouth of the Mae Klong River. The sandbank is about three kilometers wide and five kilometers long, and extends eight kilometers out to sea. It stretches across the three subdistricts of Bang Ja Kreng, Laem Yai, and Bang Kaeo in Mueang Samut Songkhram District. Its size and location make it a distinctive natural area in the region.

Visitors can rent a boat at Don Hoi Lot to see the sandbank or collect razor clams themselves. A visit combines exploring the landscape with an activity that lets you experience clam gathering firsthand. Don Hoi Lot has roadside restaurants and shops selling dried foods as souvenirs. There is also a shrine to Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak in the Don Hoi Lot area.

Mangroves and a Glimpse of Community Life

Those interested in mangroves will find different ways to explore them in Mueang Samut Songkhram. The Mangrove Forest Nature School is located in Village 10, Bang Kaeo Subdistrict. The Khlong Khon Mangrove Conservation Center provides information about mangrove forests and local community life, and organizes ecotourism activities. Both the natural environment and the lives of local people are therefore at the heart of the experience.

In Khlong Khon, longtail boats, mud sleds, mangrove seedlings, and planting materials are provided for mangrove forest restoration. These practical materials illustrate what restoring mangrove cover involves. If you would rather explore historical and religious subjects, the district’s temples offer a very different focus.

Temples, Buddha Images and Local Traditions

Wat Ban Laem was later elevated to royal temple status and given the name Wat Phet Samut Worawihan. The ancient temple was formerly called Wat Si Champa and is at least 500 years old. The standing Buddha image Luangpho Ban Laem, about 167 centimeters tall, was also installed at Wat Ban Laem. Wat Bang Ja Kreng is believed to date from the late Ayutthaya period. It houses Luang Pho Sila, an ancient Buddha image considered one of the three oldest images of its kind in Thailand.

Other temples offer their own points of interest: Wat Puang Malai has a chedi in the style of the Hongsawadi period and a shrine hall dedicated to Luang Pho Kaeo. Wat Chong Lom houses a seven-meter-high image of Luang Pho Ban Laem and a large image of Luang Pu Thuat Bodhisatto; both are revered by the faithful. At Wat Nang Takhian, several large, old concrete sugarcane presses and a giant statue in front of the ordination hall and vihara stand out. Visiting different temples lets you encounter not only Buddha images, but also a variety of architectural features and objects.

Discover Stories and Flavors

The Siamese Twin In-Chan Memorial in Tambon Lat Yai has a landscaped courtyard with trees and flowers, as well as a large pond. The conjoined twins In and Chan were born in Samut Songkhram and became known worldwide as the “Siamese Twin.” The memorial combines their story with a landscaped outdoor setting.

Another local specialty is Mon-style kalamae candy, sold at Wat Satthatham. Visitors can also watch the candy being stirred in a large pan there. When looking for a holiday rental, these varied interests can help guide your choice: consider whether nature experiences, temples and history, or regional cuisine should shape your stay most. You can also find the page for Mae Klong as another place name to explore.

For the broader travel overview: Samut Songkhram.