With a network of intricate canals, it is not difficult to stumble upon an ancient floating market in Bangkok, Thailand. The floating market is a beauty in Thailand’s ancient culture and is also one of the unmissable experiences for most tourists when visiting the Land of Golden Temples. Have you ever visited a floating market in Bangkok and enjoyed local delicacies?
This blog will introduce you to more than 10 traditional floating markets in Bangkok, and it will undoubtedly serve as a travel guide for your first trip to Thailand!
Must-Visit Floating Markets in Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak – One Of The Best Markets in Bangkok
First built in 1866, the Damnoen Saduak Canal was built by order of King Rama IV to connect the Tha Chin and Mae Klong rivers. Although it may not be the oldest floating market, Damnoen Saduak is the largest and most famous floating market in Thailand. Located in Ratchaburi province, Damnoen Saduak is about 105 km southwest of Bangkok.
At Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you can shop to your heart’s content from boats filled with all kinds of goods, from crafts and agricultural products to fruits, spices, flowers, and local delicacies. You can even experience traditional Thai massage right on the floating market.
Alternatively, you can rent a boat to explore the entire Damnoen Saduak floating market for 2,000 baht for a one-hour trip. During the boat trip, you can also stop to shop or eat at the floating shops and cafes.
- Address: Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 8 am – 4 pm (Daily).
Damoen Saduak – One Of The Oldest Floating Markets
Amphawa Floating Market
Amphawa Floating Market, nestled along one of the branches of the Mae Klong River, is a mere 50 km from Bangkok, near the Wat Amphawa Chetiyaram temple. Rewinding to the past, Amphawa was a small but flourishing community known for its trade and agriculture, existing since the 17th century.
As you stroll along the banks of the Amphawa Floating Market, you’ll be greeted by charming, quaint wooden houses. Visitors can indulge in luxurious seafood shopping and dining experiences.
A unique feature of the Amphawa Floating Market is the opportunity for visitors to embark on night-time boat cruises to witness the mesmerizing glow of fireflies along the Mae Klong River from May to October, with a boat tour costing between 60 to 80 baht per person.
Moreover, for those looking to make merit, monks can be seen collecting alms every day at 6 a.m., providing an opportunity for visitors to contribute to the local monastic community.
- Address: CXG3+2X5, Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 755110, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 2 pm – 8 pm (Friday – Sunday).
Amphawa Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Bangkok Floating Market is located just 12 km from Bangkok’s city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. You can easily go on your own by taking the BTS to Wongwian Yai Station and then taking a taxi the rest of the way for around 150 Baht. You can also book a tour of the Taling Chan floating market in Bangkok if you don’t want the hassle of getting there and back on your own.
Although small in scale, it brings optimal experiences, from rich culinary journeys to relaxing entertainment activities.
Taling Chan has everything you’d expect from a floating market but isn’t so big that you’ll feel overwhelmed trying to choose street food to eat in Bangkok. It’s full of locals doing what they love to do on the weekends: eating, drinking, and socializing. However, it is not so crowded that you cannot comfortably enjoy the market.
When coming to this floating market, international tourists can not only enjoy delicious dishes such as vermicelli, som tum, and other local dishes but also have the opportunity to experience interesting massage treatments.
- Address: 333 Chak Pra Rd, Khlong Chak Phra, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Taling Chan Floating Market
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, located near Taling Chan Floating Market, is a relatively new location, established in 2004.
However, what makes Khlong Lat Mayom different is its range of unique Thai dishes. The first thing to do at Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is to explore the countless varieties of food available. Thai people love to eat and drink and one of the best places to do this is the floating market.
At the entrance of the market, you are greeted with lots of food options. Choose from signature dishes like Pad Thai and Fried Rice, or try a bowl of Gui Taiw Rice Noodles in blood soup. Seafood lovers must try grilled shrimp and scallops, a plate of sea snails, or a huge buffet that costs only about 500 THB (25 USD).
Among the culinary delights, vermicelli noodles and Pad Thai are two must-try dishes when visiting this floating market.
- Address: 15 Bang Ramat Rd, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Kwan-Riam Floating Market
Located 30 km from Bangkok, this famous floating market is also known as the central floating market. Located on the banks of the Saen Saeb Canal between two temples on the outskirts of Bangkok, the Kwan-Riam floating market is the latest addition to Bangkok’s vibrant string of floating markets.
Unlike other floating markets, visitors are transported by speedboats instead of traditional wooden boats. Another interesting aspect of Kwan-Riam Floating Market is that its name comes from the main character in the romantic legend, Phlae Kao.
At the Kwan-Riam floating market, you will find a variety of traditional Thai dishes such as Kuay Tiew Reua (Boat Noodles), meat skewers, fried pork belly, Thai tea, a variety of Thai desserts, and Isan cuisine. You can even find some clothes and souvenirs to take home.
Besides food and shopping, the Kwan Riam floating market also has some interesting attractions such as Thai dance performances, horseback riding activities for children, cruise services that take visitors sightseeing along the canal and participating in water buffalo riding.
- Address: 45 Ramkhamhaeng 185 alley, Min Buri, Bangkok 10510, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 7 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Kwan-Riam Floating Market
Wat Sai Floating Market
Established more than 150 years ago and influenced by both Thai and Chinese cultures, this floating market was once praised as the largest and most famous floating market of its time in the Central region, famous for its rhythmic and vibrant atmosphere.
Wat Sai floating market is known as a boat trading center and is located on the outskirts of Bangkok. In ancient times, the floating market was certainly a thriving hub for locals and a popular tourist attraction, until new road construction and urbanization left the site abandoned. However, old traditions and loyal residents have revived the market, allowing visitors to cruise along the canal and order traditional food from the boat once again.
This market is highly appreciated for its red stone Buddha statues elsewhere, also built during the Ayutthaya period. Nearby attractions and activities that may pique your curiosity include a visit to Tamnak Thong, the ancient Klong Lake shoreline, or Khlong Dan. These include the quiet tower of Ayutthaya period architecture, the Chinese-style star belonging to King Rama III, murals depicting the Chinese story of Sam Kok, the snake-catching show at the snake fire site, etc.
- Address: 58/229 Soi Ekkachai 24, Bang Khun Thian, Khet Chom Thong, Bangkok 10150, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 6 am – 9 pm (Daily).
Wat Sai Floating Market
Don Wai Floating Market
Don Wai is a market that’s off the tourist radar, meaning you’re likely to encounter few foreigners shopping here – giving it a much more local feel, mainly Thai tourists. The market is located along the Tha Jeen River and has been in operation for over a century but has become more popular thanks to the revival of several floating markets over the past few decades.
If you are a food enthusiast and want to fully enjoy Thai specialties, Don Wai Floating Market is a destination not to be missed. Don Wai Floating Market is a haven of both fresh produce as well as prepared meals and snacks. Several long-standing restaurants line the Tha Jeen River, offering pleasant views and serving a delicious selection of seafood dishes. This floating market is famous for its street food and local delicacies, including dishes such as tom yum noodles, fried fish cakes, fish balls, grilled meat, nam prik, salty soup with Javanese marinated grilled meat, and sausages. workshop, Thai Sweets, coconut milk cream, Chinese braised duck, and locally grown fruits.
In addition, visitors can experience a boat trip to visit some spots along the Tha Jeen River lasting one to two hours, priced from about 80 to 120 baht per person.
- Address: Don Wai-Highway 3414, Bang Krathuek, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom 73110, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Monday – Friday) and 7 am – 6.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Don Wai Floating Market
Red Lotus Floating Market – The Most Poetic Floating Market
This can be considered the most poetic floating market in Bangkok with a magical scene created by lotus leaves and lotus flowers adorning the large pond. Visitors can take a boat to visit the large lotus pond and get close to the animals that live in the lotus pond. This activity is best experienced in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is cooler and not too hot. In addition, you can choose a drone service to take photos of the entire lotus pond with prices ranging from 40 baht to 250 baht per photo.
Unlike other floating markets, this floating market will not have local people exchanging or buying and selling wooden boats. However, you can enjoy Thai dishes at restaurants along the pond. Food stalls and cafes here have a cozy atmosphere. Near the entrance to the market, there is a dining terrace next to the lotus pond. Their specialty dishes include Miang Bua, a variation of the traditional Miang Kham. It’s great to enjoy Thai cuisine and see the romantic lotus pond.
- Address: 10 Kan Prapa Nakhon Luang Rd, BangLen District, Nakhon Pathom 73130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Daily).
Red Lotus – One Of The Most Poetic Floating Markets
Bang Khla Floating Market
If you love the sweet, fragrant taste of mango, or come to Thailand to enjoy the famous mango sticky rice dish, Bang Khla floating market is an attractive destination for you.
Bang Khla is probably the most beautiful floating market in Bangkok because of its charming rustic beauty. Coming here, you will enjoy fresh seafood dishes with aromatic dipping sauces, papaya salad, crabs soaked in fermented water, and many other equally attractive local dishes, especially mango and mango sticky rice. delicious. Not only that, the friendly smile of the hospitable seller partly creates the beauty of the people here.
The market area is relatively small and there are not many tourists because it is quite far away, 100 km from Bangkok, so it is very suitable for those who like peace and fully explore the local ethnic identity. Therefore, what makes this floating market special is the rustic and peaceful features of the countryside.
In addition, visitors can also row boats on the Bang Pakong River, and see Wat Pho-Bang Khla and the temple of King Taksin the Great.
- Address: Thetsaban Phatthana 1 Alley, Bang Khla, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao 24110, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Bang Khla Floating Market
Wat Takien Floating Market
Wat Takien was built Wat Takhian Temple to show gratitude for the acts of kindness and contributions of locals. The reason this temple still exists is because people regularly make offerings and make merit.
This floating market is famous for its many authentic Thai foods. Many unique Thai dishes are sold at this floating market, including fruit, toasted coconut, Look Choob (the name of a delicious imitation fruit dish), Thai-style desserts, boat noodles, or healthy herbal drinks. If you have filled your belly with Thai cuisine, you can also participate in other exciting activities such as pedal boating, Khu Wieng Canal sightseeing boat, and Bang Rao Nok Canal to experience the ancient features of Thailand.
- Address: 86 RCGF+X36 7 Bang Khu Wiang, Bang kruai District, Nonthaburi 11130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: 7.30 am – 4 pm (Monday – Friday), 7.30 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday).
Wat Takien Floating Market
Thai floating markets are a traditional river culture of the land of the Golden Temple. So, if you have the opportunity to visit Thailand, go to one of these unique floating markets to learn more about Thai culture! Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help to plan your trip.
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