town, south-central Thailand, on the Gulf of Thailand. Samut Prakan (sometimes called Paknam) lies at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River and serves as a lower port of Bangkok, 12 miles (19 km) north, with which it is linked by road and railway. The adjacent gulf coastline is marshy and most settlements are inland. Rice cultivation and fishing are economically important. Pop. (1986 est.) 69,218.