Samut Songkhram province is a true hidden gem in Thailand and ideal for tourists who don't want to stay too far from Bangkok. Just about an hour away lies one of Thailand's most unusual markets: the Maeklong Railway Market. It's particularly famous for its unique layout of stalls right next to the Southern Rail Transit tracks. Every day, the vendors retract their awnings and display their produce just centimeters away from the passing trains.

Samut Songkhram, known locally as Mae Klong, is the smallest of Thailand's 76 provinces, covering just 417 km². What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in rich cultural diversity and traditional riverside life. Situated on the banks of the Mae Klong River in the Gulf of Thailand and crisscrossed by a network of canals (klongs), Samut Songkhram has preserved its agricultural way of life for generations. The province is particularly famous for its fruits and vegetables – especially lychees – as well as its palm sugar production and salt extraction. Located just an hour west of Bangkok, the province offers plenty of variety for weekenders and day-trippers from the city. Homestays provide a nature-filled escape for those planning a longer stay.

Any visit to Samut Songkhram should begin with the province's most famous attraction – Don Hoi Lot. This sandbar at the mouth of the Mae Klong River is home to numerous shellfish species, including razor clams (Hoi Lot) – a popular local product – wave clams (Hoi Lat), cockles (Hoi Khraeng), tongue clams (Hoi Pak Pet), and many more. The outer sandbar, Don Nok, is only accessible by boat from a jetty on the Mae Klong, while Don Nai, the inner sandbar, can be reached by car from the beaches of the villages of Chuchi (Tambon Bang Chakreng) and Bang Bo (Tambon Bang Kaeo). The best time to visit Don Hoi Lot is from March to May, when the low tide season lasts longer. Check the tide tables before your visit to ensure your visit coincides with low tide. Numerous restaurants and souvenir shops offer fresh and dried local produce. A bus runs all day from the market in Samut Songkhram to the village of Chuchi.

Talat Nam Tha Kha in the Tha Kha subdistrict is one of the province's must-see attractions. Fruits and vegetables from the surrounding farms and orchards are traditionally sold from boats. Popular produce includes chili peppers, shallots, garlic, coconut blossom sugar, guava, coconut, rose apple, pomelo, and much more. The market takes place every five days on the second, seventh, and twelfth days of the waning or waxing moon, from approximately 8:00 to 11:00 AM. A boat service is available for visitors to explore the village and orchards. For more information, contact the Tha Kha subdistrict administration (+66 3476 6208). To get there, take National Route 325 (Samut Songkhram-Bang Phae) and turn right at kilometer 32. After another 5 km…

Another floating market worth visiting is Talat Nam Yam Yen Amphawa, located on the canal near Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram. Unusually, this market is open in the afternoon, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Amphawa Canal is bustling with vendors offering food and drinks such as fried shellfish, noodles, coffee, sweets, and much more. Visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere with music played by local residents, explore the market, sample local specialties, and rent a boat in the evening to watch the fireflies. The Amphawa Floating Market is located near King Rama II Memorial Park on National Route 325 (Samut Songkhram Bang Phae).

Wat Khao Yi San temple in Ban Khao Yi San, in the sub-district of the same name, is renowned for its Ayutthaya-era craftsmanship and art. The renovated chapel (ubosot) houses original paintings and figures from Chinese chronicles, while the exterior is adorned with stucco work crafted by master artisans from Phetchaburi. Inside the Phra Non cave is a reclining nine-toed Buddha statue, and the vihan on the hill features four Buddha footprints. A visit is particularly worthwhile during the temple festival, held annually in the first lunar month. Further insights into the history of the ancient Yi San community can be gained at the nearby Ban Khao Yi San Museum (+66 2433 1547, +668 1859 3195). Both the temple and museum are located directly on Rama II Road at kilometer 72, near the PTT railway station.

Get your hands dirty for a good cause! Why not support Thailand's coastal forests while having a blast at the Tambon Khlong Khan Mangrove Forest Plantation? Here, visitors can explore the mangrove forest by longboat, observe birds and crab-eating macaques, and learn about the daily life of local fishermen. Afterward, they can get hands-on and plant mangrove seedlings provided by the Khlong Khan Subdistrict Administrative Office (+66 3473 1329). The office provides a longboat, a sliding board, seedlings, and planting tools. All you need are old clothes and plenty of enthusiasm. Thanks to the tree-planting efforts at this award-winning attraction, the forest area has grown to over 2,000 rai. To get there, drive along Rama II Road to the PTT station at kilometer 72. Then turn left onto the road to Khao Yi San and drive for about 500 meters, then turn left again and continue for about 4 kilometers.

Getting there: By car, take Highway 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho or Rama II Road) and pass the Na Kluea-Maha Chai intersection. At kilometer 63, take the elevated road to Samut Songkhram. Buses run throughout the day from the southern bus station (www.transport.co.th). Minibuses operate from various locations in the city, including Victory Monument and Morchit. Alternatively, you can take the train daily from Wongwian Yai railway station via Mahachai (www.railway.co.th) to Samut Songkhram.

For further information, please contact the TAT office in Samut Songkhram by calling +66 3475 2846-8.