Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand ( 12 )

Located 10 Km from Bangkok is the world's largest Crocodile Farm founded in 1950 by the famous Crocodile King , Mr. Utai Youngprapakorn. Mr. Utai has been the pioneer not only to preserve the endangered species from extinction, but also to provide a continuing flow of Crocodile skins and related products to the world market. Here at Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm & Zoo, they are dedicated to the education, preservation, research and the conversation of wildlife Experience the thrilling world famous Crocodile Wrestling & Acrobatic Elephant stage shows, where the audience is invited to participate. Discover a photographer's paradise along the Zoo's shady walkways while coming face to face with the exotic animals here. Relive the past at the newest attraction, The Dinosaur Museum , where the past comes to life. Ride a Elephant or a Camel, relax on the lake on a pedal boat, monkey around on the playground, test your skills at the shooting range or ride aboard the Zoo's mine train for a sight seeing trip around the park. Join in the weekend Sunday concerts. Savour the taste of Thailand at any of the Dining Arcades. Picture yourself with a crocodile, a Elephant or a Tiger and wear a Tee shirt with the picture on as a souvenir. Shop for memories, or even for Crocodile leather or fish skin handbags, belts, shoes & more.( Cites certificates available with purchase ) The Croc. shop means you can take it with you.
Samut Prakan is one of the central provinces ( Changwat ) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946), which came into force as from 9 March 1946. It is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Neighbouring provinces are Bangkok, to the north and west, and Chachoengsao to the east. Suvarnabhumi Airport (or also called New Bangkok International Airport) is located in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province.
The province was created during the Ayutthaya period, with its administrative centre located at Phra Pradaeng. It was the sea port of Siam, and was secured with forts, town moats and town-walls. King Rama II starting the building of the new centre at Samut Prakan in 1819, after his predecessor King Taksin had disbanded the town fortification. Altogether six forts were built on both sides of the Chao Phraya river, and on an island in the river the pagoda Phra Samut Chedi was erected. These were involved in the Paknam incident of 13 July 1893, which ended the Franco-Siamese War with the French naval blockade of Bangkok. Of the original six forts only two exist today, Phi Sua Samut and Phra Chulachomklao.
In Thai the word Samut is from Sanskrit, samudra, meaning ocean or sea, and the word Prakan is from Sanskrit, prākāra, meaning fortress, walls or stronghold.
The provincial seal shows the temple Phra Samut Chedi, the most important site of Buddhist worship in the province. Provincial tree is Thespesia populnea. The provincial slogan is Marine Battle Fortresses, Chedi in the Water, Crocodile Farm, Exquisite Ancient City, Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, Tasty Dried Snakeskin Gourami, Rap Bua Festival, Industrial Estate.
Samut Prakan is located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya river to the Gulf of Thailand. Thus the province is also sometimes called Pak Nam the Thai word for the mouth of a river. The part of the province located on the western side of the river consist mostly of rice and prawn fields as well as mangrove forests, while the east part is the urban centre - including industrial factories. It is part of the Bangkok metropolis, the urbanization on both sides of the provincial boundary is identical. The province has a coastline of about 47.2 kilometres. Bang Pu Nature Reserve, about 12 km east of the town centre, has a large bird population. Especially during the winter the Sakdi pier at Bang Pu is very popular for Thai people feeding the wintering seagulls. The park is run jointly by the Royal Thai Army and the Thai WWF, and was officially established at the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit in 2004.