The district was established in 1897, then named Lom Thuan and controlled by Monthon Ratchaburi.

Thai local people still call Mueang Samut Songkhram by its old name Mae Klong.

The district is on the shore of the Bay of Bangkok, at the mouth of the Mae Klong River.

Off the coast are the sandbanks of Don Hoi Lot famous for its endemic shell population of Solen regularis.

There are further nine subdistrict administrative organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon - o bo to).