Bangkok Floating Market

A number of narrow canals jammed with small wooden boats with vendors in large straw hats paddling happily and peddling fresh fruit and vegetables, hot noodles and cold drinks, spices and souvenirs, just as they’ve done for centuries- Yes, that is Bangkok’s most infamous Floating Market, perhaps one of the most visited tourist sites around Bangkok. The original Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak, is located 110 kilometres from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province. Though, numerous other floating markets have cropped up owing to the popularity of this one.

Getting to the Floating Market takes between one and a half to over two hours from Bangkok depending on traffic conditions. There are mobile food stores selling anything from fruit, Som Tam, barbequed chicken, and other delicacies moving around the canals. Most people visiting the Floating Market are foreigners and Thai tourists, but it does offer visitors an excellent opportunity to see something different and take some great pictures of what is a true Thai icon.

Our travel tip to floating market would be that you organize a tour to enjoy the Floating Market and make sure that it is in fact the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and not any other. The tour to Floating Market generally starts around 6:30 in the morning and may include side trips to the Sugar House, a visit to the Teakwood Handicraft Center, or a visit to the Rose Garden. Whatever be your schedule, a trip to the floating market is a must because it is so very unique feature of Thailand.