🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
People tend to forget Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan are close, because they're on opposite sides of Bangkok and on different sides of the river. But if you skirt the city via Rama II and hop onto the southern section of the outer ring road, you'll get from one to the other in no time. So this trip has you sleep one night in Samut Sakhon, spend enough time on the seafood markets, then cross over to the Pak Nam side on day two.
The nice thing about this trip is that it suits people who drive themselves, because the seafood markets and several of the sights are spread out and not all of them sit next to a train line. Without a car you can still get around in stretches by van and songthaew, but you'll spend a lot more time changing between rides.
Why pair these two provinces together
- Closer than you'd think — the two town centres are about 45 km apart, roughly a 40–60 minute drive depending on traffic. Skirt the city via Rama II onto the southern section of the outer ring road.
- Same theme, different vibe — the Samut Sakhon side is fresh wholesale seafood at market prices, while the Samut Prakan side is markets along the Chao Phraya, outdoor nature, and an old temple out in the water.
- Good morning and evening — the seafood markets on the Samut Sakhon side open early, while the Pak Nam market in Samut Prakan picks up from evening into the night, so you can time things so they don't clash.
Book the activities in your Samut Sakhon 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 1 — Samut Sakhon and its seafood markets
Mahachai · Tha Chalom · Talay Thai
A tip about the seafood markets
Wholesale seafood markets have the best prices in the morning, when the catch is still fresh and the choice is widest. If you're buying fresh seafood to take home, bring a cooler with ice to be safe — especially on a hot day.
Day 2 — cross over to Samut Prakan and the Pak Nam side
On the morning of day two you leave Samut Sakhon and skirt the city over to the Samut Prakan side. You can go the nature route at Bang Krachao, or the history route with the Ancient City and Phra Samut Chedi, then finish at the Pak Nam market on the Chao Phraya.
Ancient City · Bang Krachao · Pak Nam market
Seafood markets on both shores — what to buy and where
Talay Thai market — Samut Sakhon
The province's large seafood market in Tha Chin subdistrict, with both fresh and dried goods. Good for buying in bulk or for dried-seafood souvenirs, shrimp paste and fish sauce.
Mahachai market (municipal pier) — Samut Sakhon
A fresh market in central Mahachai right by the pier, with crab, shrimp and short-bodied mackerel straight from the sea. Easy to walk in the town centre, and you can take the ferry across to Tha Chalom from here.
Pak Nam market — Samut Prakan
A market on the Chao Phraya in central Pak Nam, with fresh produce and food covered. The wholesale seafood stalls pick up from evening into the night, and it's easy to reach on the BTS to Pak Nam.
Khlong Dan seafood market — Samut Prakan
Out in Bang Bo district on the way to Chonburi, known for shrimp, mantis shrimp, blue crab and mud crab at fair prices. Worth a stop if you're driving on eastward.
The short version: if you want fresh seafood at market prices and plenty of choice, the Samut Sakhon side is the answer. If you'd rather stroll along the river and find something to eat as you go, the Pak Nam market in Samut Prakan gives you more of that Chao Phraya riverside-market feel.
Backup spots if you have time to spare
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm
A large crocodile farm with crocodile shows and a zoo — good to bring the kids along.
Bang Pu Recreation Centre
Mangrove flats where you can watch the seagulls late in the year, plus the long Suk Ta pier walking out over the sea, with a cool, easy atmosphere.
Wat Chetsadaram
A royal temple in central Samut Sakhon — stop to pay respects and sample the sweets sold out front.
Khok Kham mangrove forest
A nature study trail through the mangroves, near the Phan Thai Norasing Shrine — good for those who like a nature walk.
What to know before you go
- Driving yourself is easiest — the sights are spread out and not all next to a train line. Without a car, the Pak Nam side works on the BTS, but the Samut Sakhon side relies on vans and songthaews.
- Rama II has roadworks — traffic backs up and lanes close in places, so allow extra travel time and check the route before you set off.
- Keep fresh goods cold — if you're buying fresh seafood to take home, bring a cooler with ice and buy it near the end, right before you head back.
- The markets run on different clocks — the Samut Sakhon seafood markets are best in the morning, while the wholesale stalls on the Pak Nam side pick up in the evening, so time your visits to match each market's rhythm.
Want a good place to stay in Mahachai before crossing to Pak Nam?
See the Top 10 hotels in Samut Sakhon →