Besides the beautiful landscapes or unique architecture, Thailand also attracts tourists with ancient markets imbued with Thai culture such as the Damnoen Saduak floating market. This is where local people sell their products on wooden boats, creating an extremely enchanting and lively atmosphere. This floating market is definitely a place you need to experience when coming to this country.
General information of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand and is also the longest and straightest canal in the country. The canal was built in 2 years and was completed under King Rama V to connect the Mae Klong River with the Chinese rivers to support transportation and trade.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with trading activities has existed for over 100 years. The canal is 32 km long and has more than 200 branches. The popularity of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market was raised to a new level in 1971-1973 with the image of many farmers on boats selling their products on the river. With its long existence as well as being present in James Bond’s film more than 30 years ago, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market has become one of the famous ancient markets that tourists must visit when traveling in Thailand.
Besides Damnoen Saduak, discover other fascinating floating markets in Thailand in this comprehensive blog for an unforgettable cultural experience.
What makes Damnoen Saduak Floating Market different from others?
Historical and cultural value
With a complex canal system, the market is an important trading center, a place for trading and exchanging goods on the water for a long time. Until now, the market still retains its traditional features, demonstrating the development of Thailand’s river culture, helping visitors to experience and learn more about this country. Damnoen Saduak has become famous worldwide, often appearing in movies, travel videos and guidebooks, attracting visitors from all over. This has made Damnoen Saduak a must-see tourist destination when coming to Thailand.
Large scale and lively atmosphere
Damnoen Saduak Market is large in scale, with hundreds of wooden boats crowded on the canal, creating an extremely vibrant and bustling scene. Here, vendors wear traditional costumes, wearing conical hats, rowing boats to sell all kinds of goods such as fruits, vegetables, handicrafts and many traditional dishes. This scene has become an iconic image of Thailand’s floating markets and is a great place to take colorful and vivid photos, clearly showing traditional Thai culture on the water.
Focus on tourists and high convenience
Compared to other floating markets that mainly sell goods to local people, Damnoen Saduak market focuses mainly on tourists. Visitors can find all kinds of goods from souvenirs, local handicrafts to specialties, and fruits, … convenience and support services have made Damnoen Saduak an accessible and friendly destination for all audiences.
Easy access
Located near Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak floating market is one of the most accessible floating markets, suitable for short trips. visitors can travel by car or bus from the capital city center and it only takes 1.5-2 hours to get here
How to get to the market
The journey to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is quite simple. The market is located in Ratchaburi province, about 100 km southwest of Bangkok, you can easily explore it on a day trip from the capital.
- Renting a taxi or car: this is a suitable choice for those traveling in large groups. You can book a taxi for both ways, the price ranges from 700 baht/2 ways. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, it can take longer on weekends, depending on traffic conditions.
- By bus: This can be called the most familiar and cost-effective means of transport for most people. From Sai Tai Mai station in central Bangkok, you can take bus 78 or 996 to the floating market. This bus will depart at 6 am and there will be a bus to the floating market every 30 minutes. Travel time is about 2 hours, ticket price is 80 baht per person. Then continue by local bus or tuk-tuk to the floating market.
Things to do when visiting Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Take a boat tour around the famous floating market
When coming to Damnoen Saduak market, you cannot miss the activity of taking a boat on the canal and immersing yourself in the commercial activities of the people. The whole boat trip lasts about 1 hour and costs about 800 Baht per person, or about 1500 Baht per boat. You can take a boat while watching the bustling market scene, full of vibrant atmosphere and enjoy great refreshments.
By taking a boat, you will explore the entire Damnoen Saduak floating market area and learn more about the local culture. There you will see all the beautiful scenery around such as stilt houses, shops located on the river, and many local people are trading on wooden boats, with all kinds of items from fresh fruits to local dishes.
However, the most interesting thing at Damnoen Saduak is the unique image of old people wearing traditional hats made of palm leaves, bringing closeness and simplicity. When coming here, visitors will be immersed in an atmosphere filled with friendship and joy, when the smiles of the locals shine brightly filling the space of Damnoen Saduak floating market.
Enjoy delicious and colorful dishes
Food lovers cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy typical Thai dishes when coming to this country. Diners can easily find mobile stalls on rowing boats gliding gently on the canals, creating a colorful scene at the floating market. This is where visitors can enjoy typical dishes such as pad thai, khao pad, som tam and many other dishes with rich, special and diverse flavors.
Dishes not to be missed when coming here include Jay Muay Noodles (a unique boat noodle dish with spicy seafood), coconut ice cream, Pad Thai, mango sticky rice, … For food lovers, a visit to the floating market will definitely be a memorable experience when learning and exploring the diverse culinary culture of this country.
Go shopping along the canal banks
During the boat trip, you will see conical hats sold at Damnoen Saduak floating market with many different designs and colors. In addition to handmade hats, here we can also find hand-painted portraits, tokens, paintings introducing Thai symbols, handbags…This floating market is also famous for fresh agricultural products from nearby farms. You can buy fruits, and vegetables here or observe the unique traditional way of buying and selling of the locals. Some fruits you can find here include mango, rambutan, banana, langsat…
In particular, you can still buy goods on the boat while walking. The way of selling of the merchants at Damnoen Saduak floating market is also very interesting, they will use a pole to bring goods to tourists and then receive money in return.
Experience of Local Life and Tradition
In addition to sightseeing and shopping, visitors also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the typical river life of the Thai people. The floating market space brings authentic experiences and is close to the daily life of local people.
Walking along the canals, you will see houses on the water, where people live, work and do daily activities, bringing a feeling of slowness, simplicity and closeness to nature. Many traditional houses still retain their unique wooden architecture, allowing visitors to learn more about the architecture and lifestyle of the ancient Thai people. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about Thai river culture and how people have lived on the canal system for generations.
Tips when traveling to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
If you are planning a trip to Damnoen Saduak floating market, don’t miss these useful tips:
- The ideal time to visit the market is early in the morning when the market is not too crowded and the weather is more pleasant.
- Be patient: the boat will go quite slowly through the crowds, especially if it is the peak tourist season. You will also be exposed to the sun a lot during the trip, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen and an umbrella and hat.
- Be careful when shopping at Damnoen Saduak floating market because many traders take advantage of foreigners to sell at very high prices, especially in handicrafts and clothes.
- Watch your fingers: Don’t hold the boat tightly with your fingers, because we will risk being injured in case another boat collides with your boat.
Experience Thailand your way: Book our Thailand tour to enjoy a flexible itinerary, from visiting famous temples to relaxing on stunning beaches, all tailored to your preferences.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a unique destination in Thailand, attracting visitors from all over the world thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, impressive landscapes and deep cultural experiences. Here, visitors not only visit and shop but also immerse themselves in the traditional life of the river people and enjoy local cuisine, creating a memorable trip to Thailand.