Discovering Samut Prakan Learning Park & Tower

I’m not sure what it is, but I have always been attracted to famous landmarks ever since I was a little boy. Towers, particularly, seem to excite me. Whether it was seeing Blackpool Tower as a child, my first sight of the Eiffel Tower, or going up Berlin's Fernsehturm and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, I've remained fascinated by them. It was time to add Samut Prakan Tower to the list.

Background to the Tower

Samut Prakan Tower is as tall as a 54-storey building, located in the district of Pak Nam. It offers 360-degree views of the coastal province of Samut Prakan and the city of Bangkok. The tower also features a children’s discovery museum, an interactive exhibition of Samut Prakan’s history and a library for those wanting to study.

My First Visit – October 2022

I persuaded my future wife, Taew, that she needed a few hours of relaxation, as her restaurant had been closed for a few days while she sought staff to serve customers. It was a reminder of how tough it could be owning a small business in Thailand with so much competition. 

On a couple of trips to Samut Prakan Province to visit a wildlife park and then the Ancient City, I spotted the tower in the distance, attracting me like a magnet. I had the same affliction when it came to stadium floodlights, which must have had her wondering if she was in a relationship with a nutcase as I peered out of the car window.

Anyway, on a bright Friday morning, I found confirmation that the tower was open, so off we went, parking outside Samut Prakan Provincial Hall by the waterfront. We had a short walk to the promenade by the Statue of King Chulalongkorn and looked across the busy shipping lane of the Chao Phraya River.

Exploring the Tower

The tower is surrounded by gardens, with several dinosaur models and other exhibits to appeal to youngsters and those who are young at heart. The old Pak Nam to Bangkok Railway is commemorated with a replica track and an old engine inside the grounds.

The tower itself was clean and modern inside. The lift took us to the viewing deck, which offered some incredible views on such a clear day. It was free admission too, which always appeals to me. 

Taew fancied a quick look around outside once we’d finished. The area outside the market was busy and vibrant. It was the sort of place I fancied seeing at night to see if, like many other areas around the Land of Smiles, it changes atmosphere and places to eat and drink open for business.

We bought some winkles and other shellfish to take home before stopping at a restaurant I'd found for lunch. The food was excellent and, as we were about to leave, Taew received a phone call from a lady who wanted to start work that evening. Happy days!

A Swift Return

It was time for Steve, my mate of many years and fellow Minburi resident, and me to have another Thursday adventure. He seemed keen to see what I had found just 6 days earlier, so we caught a bus to Bangkapi, then another one to Pak Nam, as it was in the days before the Yellow Line overhead monorail had opened.

The bus ride was slow, but we were in no rush. We noticed just how much standing water the bus went through on the route. It hardly stopped raining for 3 days, and it would play a part later in our day out. The bus stop was just around the corner from the tower as the clouds began to gather.

We enjoyed walking around the museum and watching film shows about the area’s history and how it evolved. Taking photos on the top floor wasn’t as easy as the rain began to lash down. It scuppered any plans we had of taking the ferry across the Chao Phraya to see what the far side had to offer.

A Gloomy Day

We looked for somewhere to have a drink but couldn’t find anywhere. The cafes were full of customers sheltering from the rain. We settled for a basic restaurant that served us noodle soup as we considered our options. The rain was unabating, so we took a tuk-tuk to Pak Nam BTS Skytrain station.

It was a miserable day, but we were determined to stay cheerful. Sitting outside a bar in Asoke watching the world go by and chatting was as good as it was going to get. I had endured many worse days, despite the weather. 

We got back to see Taew, but I went home soon after, struggling with an upset stomach. It may well have been the weather, or I had accidentally swallowed some water. To round off a memorable day, albeit not for all the right reasons, the news broke that HM Queen Elizabeth II had died.

Nighttime Exploration – December 2022

I had seen a Facebook page that showed a video of Samut Prakan Tower at night illuminated in different colours every minute or so. I wanted to see that for myself, so I took the same bus routes as on my previous visit just before dusk and walked to the square by the Provincial Hall.

As Christmas approached, lots of decorations were in place, which lit up as darkness fell. It provided some great filming and photo opportunities as I looked across the river and then back across the square, where some locals played football and others exercised.

The light show was worth the effort. I was in my element, seeing something I thought was so wonderful, increasing its beauty as the skies changed colour. I could have sat there all night and then explored the areas looking for a bar. However, some friends of Taew and I had arrived at her restaurant. My presence was required, so I headed back.

Retracing Steps – April 2026

Now a resident in the northeast province of Sisaket, we occasionally visited our condo in Minburi. I was keen to do plenty of filming for my YouTube Channel to edit in my spare time when back home. I decided to take a ride on the Yellow Line to return to some places and include them in a new production. 

All went according to plan, as you can see in the video and read about in Discovering Pak Nam until the very last bit. Pak Nam was still as interesting, and I eventually took the ferry over the river. Then I hit a snag.

My planning had been undone because the viewing area and museum were closed. Structural damage was incurred when the March 2025 earthquake struck and still hadn’t been repaired. Not to worry. I still enjoyed a great day out and never tire of seeing the magnificent Samut Prakan Tower.

In Closing

Before setting off, check that the viewing deck and museum are open. When accessible, Samut Prakan Tower offers excellent views, an interesting museum and a chance to learn more about the province. Even if it's closed, the illuminated tower at night is worth seeing and is easy to reach by BTS from central Bangkok.

If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my YouTube Channel, where I share videos about everyday life in Thailand, local football, and travel across the country, including a visit to Pak Nam and some nearby attractions.

Thanks for reading.