; however, because of its proximity to Bangkok many visitors make day trips from the capital to see the attractions in Samut Prakan, including the Ancient City, the Erawan Museum, and the Crocodile Farm. As Samut Prakan has many expatriate foreigners, English is commonly spoken and there are shops and restaurants that cater to foreign residents and visitors.Samut Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is located 29 kilometers south of Bangkok around the area where the Chao Phraya River flows into the Gulf of Thailand. It is a town that dates back to the Ayutthaya period. Samut Prakan is home to numerous historical and cultural sites as well as such attractions as a crocodile farm, the Dinosaur Museum, Muang Boran Ancient City, and the Erawan Museum.