History
Phra Pradeang was the original center of the area south of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya river. Originally named Nakhon Khuan Khan (นครเขื่อนขันธ์) it was settled by Mon. In 1815, King Rama II built the Pom Phlaeng Faifa fort at the river bend. The fort is now located in a small park and accessible for visitors.
In 1819 the new town Samut Prakan (or Paknam) was established. Due to the economic problems in the early 1930s several administrative entities were abolished, including Phra Phradaeng province which had its districts were assigned to Samut Prakan and Thonburi effective April 1, 1932.
A 2 km tramway across the neck of the huge Phra Pradaeng river bend opened in 1908 and closed c.1940. Operated by a private company, the motorised trams connected with motorboat services to Bangkok and to Paknam at each end of the line. The tram cut a considerable time off the up and downriver journey by avoiding the long river bend.
Read more about this topic: Phra Pradaeng District
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