Tha Chalom

Tha Chalom (Thai: ท่าฉลอม, pronounced [tʰâː t͡ɕʰā.lɔ̌ːm]) is a historic subdistrict (tambon) of Samut Sakhon, Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province, central Thailand. Its name is also a name of surrounding area.
Tha Chalom has a history that goes back to the middle Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat when he established Ban Tha Chin (บ้านท่าจีน) as a town in those days. Tha Chalom and Mahachai at that time were communities of the Chinese people, there are many Chinese piers along both banks of Tha Chin River. Hence, the river named Tha Chin, which means "Chinese pier".
Tha Chalom is regarded as the first sukhaphiban (sanitary district) in Thailand. It was founded by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1905 after he saw the filth of Nakhon Khuan Khan (now Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province) and compare that "dirty as Mahachai market". So Ministry of Interior by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab cleaned up the town and built new roads for the King. One of them when complete the King presided over the official road opening ceremony on March 18, 1905 and named it "Thawai Road" (offer road).
The name "Tha Chalom" means "pier of Chalom" (Chalom is a type of Thai vendor boat similar to junk). Tha Chalom in the reign of King Chulalongkorn was the capital of the province and more prosperous than Mahachai side.
The general topography of the subdistrict is a coastal lowland about 1 meter above sea level. There are no islands, mountains or minerals. The main watercourse of Samut Sakhon, Tha Chin River flows into the Gulf of Thailand at Bang Ya Phraek subdistrict. Tha Chalom is a peaceful enclave in Samut Sakhon city. Neighboring subdistricts are (from the north clockwise): Mahachai, Krokkrak and Tha Chin of Mueang Samut Sakhon district of Samut Sakhon province.
The administration of Tha Chalom subdistrict (tambon) is responsible for 7,570 people from 2,470 households.
As of December 2024 there is ฺSamut Sakhon city municipality (thesaban nakhon) which covers the combined area of (1) Mahachai, (2) Tha Chalom and (3) Krokkrak subdistricts. There are 6 communities (chumchon) in Tha Chalom, although not directly chosen by the local citizens, which provides advice and recommendations to the local administrative organization.
There is Wat Suwannaram municipal school.
There is no health promoting hospital in Tha Chalom subdistrict. But there is Metropolitan Hospital Tha Chalom.
Most locals work in fisheries. Miniature fishing boat models and dried seafood are local products.
The following active temples, where Theravada Buddhism is practised by local residents:
There is Chaopho Guan Yu in Tha Chalom.
There is Saint Anne Catholic church in Tha Chalom.
Presently, Tha Chalom residents still preserve their traditional way of life, old buildings with chic graffiti can still be seen on the streets. Pedicabs serve the area.
There is Maeklong Railway a Tha Chalom - Mae Klong train service, starting from Ban Laem station, Tha Chalom subdistrict, to Maeklong station, Samut Songkhram (distance 33.7 kilometres (20.9 mi)).
Traveling between Tha Chalom and Mahachai must rely mainly on the Tha Chin River Ferry.
Tha Chalom is the setting of a Thai luk krung song, titled 'Tha Chalom', the story of a Tha Chalom fisherman falling in love with the beauty living in Mahachai. It was sung by Charin Nuntanakorn in the year 1961.