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Floating markets near Bangkok are the poster for Thailand, and a seller of the authentic, authentic feel that makes Thailand itself. You can’t think of visiting Thailand and not encountering one. They’re everywhere – sometimes you might pass by without knowing, and sometimes you might have to travel a few hours to find one. Aerial view of the Damnoen Saduak floating market boat with fruits and vegetables, Image – Shutterstock While you can visit a floating market in and around almost every city in Thailand, there are quite a few you can explore from Bangkok. Anyway, floating markets are often portrayed as some of the best things to do in Bangkok for first time travelers and I can’t disagree. On the one hand, there are floating markets intended for tourists and crowded with tourists. On the other hand, there are those that are mostly frequented by locals. I think you should do both at least once. But first… what is a floating market? A typical floating market is a market where you will find local vendors selling all kinds of items on boats. The items they sell can vary from souvenirs, fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers to pasta, snacks, drinks, and more. Vendors can sell to customers who walk in the area or travel on other boats. This type of market is particularly common and popular in Southeast Asia where canals and rivers are the centers of commercial activity for large communities. Wooden boats occupied by ferry at Amphawa floating market. Image courtesy of Shutterstock In earlier days, and still popular in rural Thailand, markets are usually located near the temple. These can be daily morning markets, weekly markets, night markets, or even floating markets. Temples are the center of the city and most of them have a communal area where people gather for events on all occasions. So you can still find many floating markets next to the temple. However, modern buildings built for the purpose of tourism do not follow this. Fun fact: Oftentimes, some of the local weekly markets are also referred to as floating markets. These are located behind the famous temple buildings. So don’t be surprised if you can’t find boats in some of these places. But you will definitely find great food and a canal right next door. Check out Ban Ton Tan Riverside Market in the famous floating markets in Saraburi near Bangkok, here are some of the famous floating markets near Bangkok, Thailand that you can visit. Damnoean Saduak – the mother of all floating markets near Bangkok. Damnoean Saduak is the mother of all floating markets in Bangkok, and possibly in Thailand. This is where most tourists flock to when they are in Bangkok. So you can expect it to be crowded and tourism-centric. It is good and bad. Damnoean Saduak Floating Market On the one hand, most shopkeepers can understand some English and you have a better transportation to the place. On the other hand, there are quite a few scammers lurking around and shopkeepers raising prices for tourists. So be careful. Bargaining is expected. You can enjoy the market right next to the canal and you will find shops on land and in boats true to their name. The highlight for the tourists is the boat ride that takes you around the area where you can see the local communities on their usual day. You could consider taking one of the many same-day tours from Bangkok. Or if you want to do it yourself, take a taxi or bus to Damnoen Saduak from Sai Tai Mai van station outside Bangkok. Read More – Bangkok Nightlife For Family Travelers – 8 Things To Explore Amphawa Floating Market Near Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is another popular market. Often paired together, you can also visit the Amphawa Floating Market on the same day if you plan in advance. Amphawa Floating Market was actually a fishing village that has been converted into a commercial complex. Therefore, you will find it less attractive to tourists than Damnoi Saduak. Amphawa Floating Market in Dusk Take the time to wander the low-key market built on a teak platform displaying shops on either side of the canal and enjoy some cheap, authentic local Thai food. Since most of the people in the market are locals, you can get a glimpse into local life on the weekends. You can also take a boat trip around the canals for a surprisingly reasonable cost. Another reason to visit this market is also to visit the nearby train market. Yes, a train runs from the center of the market. . If you are already visiting Damnoean Saduak, you can simply take a taxi to get here. READ MORE – Ratchaprasong Walk – Hindu Gods in the Heart of Bangkok Don Wai Floating Market We now turn to the lesser known floating markets. Don Wai is very popular with locals, but you may not even find a single foreign tourist during your visit. Don Wai Floating Market is located in Nakhon Pathom Province, just west of Bangkok. And because it is located in the countryside, you can experience the authentic local atmosphere. Fruits and vegetables at Don Wai Floating Market The market is located just behind the Don Wai Temple. And as you skip the temple, you feel most of the local community in the area here enjoying Sunday at the local market. Crazy variety of stalls. You can have anything – from clothes, plants and toys to all kinds of local cuisine and Thai snacks. The market is located next to the canal where you can find a few vendors on the boats. You can also spot the huge boats that travel to another important temple nearby and take you there to get back home. Makes for a great evening boat ride. It takes about 30 minutes from the last subway station (Lak Sung) if you are traveling by road. You can either take 2 buses from the subway station or a taxi directly to the floating market. READ MORE – Ayutthaya – Things to do in Bangnamphong, Thailand’s ancient capital, Bang Nam Phung Floating Market is a beautiful rural market located on the man-made island of Bang Kachao. Bang Kachao, also known as the “lung of Bangkok”, is a horseshoe-shaped land mass south of Bangkok, famous for its thick tree cover and the beauty of the rustic countryside. It can feel as if you are suddenly entering another world as you cross a river. In the middle of Bang Kachao you will find this floating market going down during the weekend. Now as I said earlier, not all floating markets have boats. And this one. Therefore, you will find a lot of stores selling products from the rural countryside. You are always accompanied by a channel. You can find fresh snacks, fish, grilled meats, brownies, honey, desserts and much more. A great feature is the chance to explore Bang Kachao which I think is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok once in a while. Taling Chan – Floating Markets near Bangkok Taling Chan is another floating market famous for its proximity to Bangkok. It’s not quite in the city, and not too far. You can get to the floating market by taking a quick taxi or taking the SRT on the Red Line and walking from Taling Chan Station. Taling Chan Floating Market While you’ll find most shops on land selling regular Thai market spices, there are still some things to do on the water. As you explore around, you will come across some pasta vendors on a boat that you can eat at a floating restaurant on the canal. But I think the highlight of the place is the boat ride. You can rent a public or private long-tail boat from the floating market that will take you around some of Thonburi’s wonderful neighborhoods. For a moment, it looks like Bangkok but only 100 years ago. You feed the fish on the way, go to a nearby temple and come back again. Nothing fancy, but a refreshing experience. Read More – Vegetarian Thai Food Guide for Thai Tourists Travel Tips for Visiting the Floating Markets near Bangkok Typical scene of a boat selling fish food at the Floating Markets near Bangkok Check online in advance if there is any entry price to any of the floating markets. Most floating markets have free entry. But if a ticket is required, then buy it only at the box office. You may find scammers asking you to buy tickets at exorbitant prices. People will leak you to sell a boat trip for a very exorbitant price. Go check the actual price at the boat ride counter at each floating market. Usually there is a group tour and a private tour. Group tours are very affordable. Food prices are usually fixed and mentioned in the food vendor’s carts. However, prices for souvenirs usually vary. In places crowded with tourists, check out a few places to find the right price for an item before you buy. Feel free to bargain. Keep your money, phone and belongings nearby when you are at the market or on a boat. Pickpocketing isn’t very common, but since you’re mostly walking around the water, lost belongings can’t be recovered. Also, cover your phone during a boat trip for a chance of some intense water mist. This is a guest post by Snigdha Jaiswal from The Stupid Bear – a travel blog with practical guides to interesting unexplored places in South and Southeast Asia.
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