In the old Thai day, we travelled along the canals. It wasn’t a surprise to see sellers in the boat in that time.
But nowadays, the waterway isn’t as LIVELY, and there just aren’t that many floating markets left throughout the country. The ones that are left or revived become tourist attractions…
Most visitors who come to Thailand want to visit the floating market and Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Thailand.
Dam-Noen-Sa-duak , the name of the market is from the name of the canal…Slow down when you say the word…Thai word is hard to say sometimes…
Damnoen Saduak is about 100KM away from Bangkok, over an hour outside Bangkok in Ratchaburi province. It would be a little hard to ride the public bus to get there. A hired car is the best option, but it’s a little expensive…
You need to get to the market between 8am-11am, it’s worth it to avoid the heat (and it could be SUPER HOT in the months of March-April).
On the way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province, many tourists stop to see how the locals make home made coconut sugar which is one of the famous products of the province.
It’s interesting and worth a short stop…
Once you get to the floating market, you may be a little confused on where to go??? Don’t worry, it happened to me (all Thais) as well. There are so many entries and no main road at all. My trick is just follow the big group of tourists – I’m sure they come with the tour guide who knows the best way to get around…
You will see lots of colorful merchants at the floating market, many fruits sellers rowing their boats along the narrow canals, it’s great for photo opportunities, as Thai fruits are in different shapes and colors and photogenic- and it’s also unique taste. See if you can find “Rambutan or Durian…maybe some Dragon Fruit??? (sometime, you can’t expect to see all what you want…it depends on the season….)
There is plenty of tasty food to try along the docks.
Try the boat ride…why not?
There are the long-tail boats and paddle boats available around the market, you will be offered to ride but don’t forget to bargain…good short ride should between 200 baht per person. But longer ride is about 500 baht…
Stepping off the skinny boat, you will find yourself among the boat sellers, they are trying to sell similar products (which you can find at JJ Market (But it’s weekend market) in Bangkok…and cheaper!)…
Some boats have a roof for shade, this is a really good offer, remember it’s getting HOT when you ride. You will see Thais bring umbrellas for the sun!
The fun part is around the dock where you can have your picture taken with a python (free of charge – but they’re expecting some tips – maybe 20 baht appreciated!).
Personally, this floating market becomes very toursity floating market. The whole place was jammed with tourist and the things sell at this place is much higher, it might not a good place for shopping but it’s great place for taking photo!
Anyway, honestly the floating market is unusual and interesting to visit, maybe once!
FYI: The cobra show is nearby the floating market and very interesting, it’s 200 baht for admission and the last show is at 11am.
Idea trips for full a day???
You can set the trip to the floating market for the half day in the morning, then you can do Tiger temple (jump off to another province, but it’s great way to do it). But you will get farther from Bangkok, and maybe get back in town about 9pm…
Or try the other floating market in the afternoon/evening “Amphawa” on the way back to Bangkok. Amphawa is open later (floating market) and this is a market that you’ll go back to more than once!
Watch for my next posting on Amphawa Floating Market!
