🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The nice thing about pairing these two provinces is the short distance — about 50 km from downtown Samut Prakan to downtown Chachoengsao, a little over an hour's drive, so there's no need to rush. Day one covers the Samut Prakan side; stay one night around Bang Phli, or drive on into Chachoengsao if you prefer. Day two is all about the temples of Paet Riu, then home. You can do it without your own car, but driving is by far the smoothest, since several spots sit off the BTS line.
Day 1 — Samut Prakan: Pak Nam, Phra Samut Chedi, Bang Phli
Start at Pak Nam, the heart of town. It's easy to reach because the BTS Green Line runs all the way to Kheha station, passing through Pak Nam. If you're driving, park near the provincial hall and hop straight onto the cross-river ferry.
Pak Nam–Phra Samut Chedi–Bang Phli
About Bang Phli market
On weekdays the old Bang Phli market is fairly quiet, with only some stalls open. For the full market atmosphere, line up day one with a Saturday or Sunday.
Book the activities in your Samut Prakan trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 2 — Chachoengsao: Luang Pho Sothon, Wat Saman, Ban Mai market
Today is the full Paet Riu temple day, running from the province's signature temple to the giant Ganesha, then finishing at the century-old wooden market on the Bang Pakong River. All three sit in and around the main district, so you can loop them in a single day.
Paet Riu temples–century-old market
Time the Ban Mai market right
The Ban Mai 100-Year Market opens only on Fri–Sun and public holidays. If your trip lands on a Monday–Thursday, the market will be quiet with few stalls open. Plan day two for a weekend to get the full atmosphere.
If you have an extra half-day
If you can add a half-day or stretch this into a third day, these two spots are worth tacking on — pick based on whether you lean toward learning or nature.
Ancient City (Muang Boran)
An open-air museum with scaled-down replicas of Thai architecture spread across a huge site. Rent a bike and ride around all day. Open 09:00–19:00; admission for Thai adults 400 THB, children 200 THB.
Bang Krachao
The green lung in a bend of the Chao Phraya River. Rent a bike and weave through the gardens — good for anyone who wants a shady, quiet atmosphere. Easy to reach from the Phra Pradaeng side.
Getting around and overall costs
- Your own car is smoothest — several spots, like Wat Saman and the Ban Mai market, sit off the BTS line, so driving lets you connect the route easily.
- You can still do it without a car — the Pak Nam side is served by the BTS Green Line to Pak Nam station, while Chachoengsao has vans and trains from Bangkok, then local hired cars in town.
- Ferry to Phra Samut Chedi — 6 THB per person, valid both ways.
- No temple entry fees — Luang Pho Sothon, Wat Saman, and Luang Pho To in Bang Phli are all free; just bring a little cash for offerings and flowers, incense, and candles.
- Budget for food and souvenirs — both provinces shine here, with Pak Nam seafood and Paet Riu souvenirs, so set aside a bit more for this than for transport.
Want a well-located hotel as your base for these two days?
See the Top 10 Samut Prakan hotels →