Samut Prakan Learning Park & Tower Has Free Entry Until 30th Nov 2022

Samut Prakan Learning Park & Tower has great views of the coast

If you’re looking for a cheap day trip that is only a BTS ride away from Bangkok to a gorgeous view of the coast then you might want to look at the Samut Prakan Learning Park and Tower. The tower has a 360° view of the coastal city and the Gulf of Thailand as well as exhibits on the city’s history.

Here’s what you can do at the tower.

An observatory with a 360-degree view of the coastal city

The observatory tower, which has been under construction for around 10 years, finally opened its doors on 25th August 2022. Situated on the 23rd floor is a 360-degree view of the coastal city of Samut Prakan.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

From the tower, you can see the bend of the Chao Phraya River as it exits into the Gulf of Thailand.

Image credit: @teerawutt

You can also see a plethora of old Buddhist temples as well as the iconic Erawan Museum which is topped by its very recognisable three-headed elephant.

Image credit: Bangkokbiznews

As Samut Prakan has turned into an industrial hub for Thailand, you can also see plenty of factories and ships sailing along the river.

Image credit: @teerawutt

Ship simulator & diorama tell Samut Prakan’s history

Apart from the 23rd-floor view, the tower also has multiple exhibits showcasing the history of Samut Prakan as it developed from a trading hub into an industrial powerhouse.

Their “Ship Time Machine Simulator” will take you on a simulated ship ride through different visages to see the transformation of the Pak Nam area over the years.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

You can also see an exhibit that combines projection mapping and dioramas to showcase Thailand’s historical trading relationship with the Netherlands which resulted in a small area called “New Amsterdam” in Samut Prakan.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

And if you want to drink in the atmosphere of what life might’ve been like during that period of history, there is a recreation of what the local furniture and markets were like.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

There is also a “Movable Floor” exhibit that brings you into the Franco-Siamese War in the early Rattanakosin period. It specifically focuses on the Paknam Incident on 13th July 1893 where a Siamese fort and gunships fired warning shots at French boats that violated Siamese borders.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

Indoor cable cars & sneak peek at Phra Samut Chedi

If you’re planning on also visiting the Phra Samut Chedi in town, then there is also an exhibit that tells you its story along with a model showing the original Chedi that is hidden inside the current one – something that some Thais don’t even know.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

Finally, there’s an indoor cable car that’ll take you above a 20 square metre aerial view of the city to showcase the plans to bring Samut Prakan into the future.

Image credit: หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ

Replica dinosaurs & trains in the park around the tower

In the park surrounding the tower, there are a few iconic dinosaurs on display that are great for photos. The T-rex and other long-necked creatures will make you feel like you’re in a Jurassic Park movie.

Image credit: 1 วินาทีที่แล้ว

There is also a replica of the trains that used to run in the area in the past.

Image credit: 1 วินาทีที่แล้ว

The coastal city of Samut Prakan is but a BTS ride away

It’s tough to travel in Thailand without a car but with recent expansions to Bangkok’s metro, you can now go to places like Samut Prakan for a day trip. Getting to see the city of Samut Prakan and its historical significance to the foundation of modern Thailand might be just what’s missing on your itinerary if you’re planning on using Bangkok as a hub for local travel.

All you’ll need to do is get on the BTS and hop off at the Pak Nam station. Then the tower is only a walk away.

Samut Prakan Learning Park and Tower
Address: 858 Amorn Dech Street Samut Prakan, Thailand 10270
Opening hours: 10am-5pm, Tues-Sun (closed Mondays)
Nearest Train Station: Pak Nam BTS
Contact: +66 9 8241 9495 |Samut Prakan Learning Park and Tower’s Facebook | Google Maps

Other interesting places to visit in Thailand:

Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): หอชมเมืองสมุทรปราการ, 1 วินาทีที่แล้ว, Bangkokbiznews

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