The State Railway of Thailand in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand are inviting travellers to hop on board a train for a weekend trip to the coastal towns of Samut Sakhon (also known as Mahachai) and Samut Songkhram (also known as Mae Klong), in Central Thailand.

The newly-launched weekend travel package, which includes a brief stop in Mahachai and a Mae Klong homestay, presents visitors with an opportunity to gain interesting insight into the traditional way of life in the coastal communities and learn about local folk wisdom as they witness the rhythm of life in the picturesque rural landscape comprising rice fields, orchards, plantations, salt pans and fisheries, and mangrove forests.

The Mae Klong railway is one of the shortest in Thailand and is cut into two sections by a large river. The train trip starts from Wong Wien Yai Railway Station in Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. As the train leaves the station, it trundles past tiny stations and crosses canals. Eventually, it emerges into lush countryside, and rolls past small villages, buffaloes grazing pastures, fishermen and farmers — the traditional bucolic scene which typifies rural Thailand.

This first portion of the journey ends when the train runs out of track at the edge of the Ta Chin River. Exit the station train, turn right (the same direction the train is pointed), and walk a short distance to the ferry landing which crosses the river to a new railway station, Ban Laem. The section from Ban Laem to Mae Klong (Samut Songkram) is a charming journey through a quiet backwater.

Samut Sakhon is located at the mouth of the Tha Chin River, a distributary of the Chao Phraya river, as if flows to the Gulf of Thailand. The oldest name of the area is Tha Chin (Chinese pier), probably referring to the fact that it was a trading port where Chinese junks arrived. The town of Sakhon Buri was established in 1548 and was renamed Mahachai in 1704 after the Klong Mahachai canal was dug and connected with the Tha Chin River near the town.

Watch fishermen offload their catches: big and small shrimps, myriad fish, cuttlefish, shellfish and other fruits of the sea. Deckhands slide baskets of seafood down from the boat into the hands of traders who immediately auction off the catches and distribute them either to one of the many frozen seafood plants in the area or to vendors at the fresh market just behind the pier.

From the pier, wander down through tiny alleys to the market. It is a bustling maze where a dazzling array of fresh seafood are on display.

At the coast to the sea are many fields used for sea salt production.

Talat Rom Hoop En route to Mae Klong (Samut Songkhram), another fishing town with a huge fleet of deep sea trawlers lining the waterfront and along the banks on the upriver journey, the rails run through a market for the last few metres to the station. As the train approaches, the previously hidden tracks appear as vendors rush with poles to raise awnings from the train's path, lowering them once it has passed.

SAMUT SONGKHRAM (aka Amphawa or Mae Klong)
Located 75 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, Samut Songkram province is nicknamed Amphawa after its best known district. The natural landscape shapes the province’s character. Each of its three districts reflects a distinct ecosystem based on water, whether salty, brackish or fresh.

Samut Songkram offers a wealth of natural and cultural heritage. Within a compact area, experience ancestral arts, pilgrimage temples, places of royalty, floating markets, bountiful nature and communities that preserve their rural traditional way of life. This is a living museum.

Amphawa is also famous for its celebrated seafood. Many come here just to eat the fresh shellfish, crabs, shrimp, squid and fish, especially its pla tuu mackerel. Linger in the fish market when the catches are unloaded. Mae Klong is a town of deep sea trawlers — see them on the waterfront and along the banks on the upriver journey.

Visits invariably involve boat tours and most accommodation is to be found along the banks of the Mae Klong River or its maze of quiet canals.

WEEKEND TRIP TO SAMUT SAKHON AND SAMUT SONGKHRAM
Rail Trip and Mae Klong Homestay organized by the State Railway of Thailand
Available Every Weekend

DAY TRIP OPTION
A day trip programme is also available. Depart from Wong Wien Yai Railway Station in Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River at 07.40 hrs (07.40 am)

	Tour of Mahachai seafood market
	Visit Wat Petchsamut Voraviharn to pay respect to Luang Phor Ban Laem, the highly-revered Buddha image and guardian spirit of Mae Klong.
	Enjoy live demonstrations of various village crafts and gain interesting insight into the way of life in local village communities. Witness how palm sugar and Thai desserts are made. See how wickerwork products, hats and baskets are made from coconut leaves. Watch villagers craft flowers from pandan leaves.
	Visit Bang Noi floating market
	Boat trip to Wat Bangkae Noi temple
	Visit Amphawa’s famous floating market
	Visit the Chaipattana Conservation Project
	Return trip to Bangkok by van Day Trip Cost: 499 Baht per person (adult/child) including the return trip by van

Related articles:
Catch of the Day: A Visit to the Mahachai Seafood Market
Please click to view

Samut Songkhram: Depth and Diversity
Please click to view

Mae Klong
Please click to view

Contact information:
State Railway of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2222 0175, (0) 2621 8701, (0) 2220 4567
E-mail : info@railway.co.th
Web site: www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Samut Songkhram
2/1, 2nd Floor Amphawa Municipality City Hall, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram 75110
Tel: +66 (0) 3475 2847-8
Fax: +66 (0) 3475 2846
E-mail: tatsmsk@tat.or.th