Visit Bangkok's floating markets: comprehensive guide

Are you going to visit Thailand and its capital? Don't miss discovering an institution, the famous floating markets of Bangkok!

Whether in the heart of the city or in its close suburbs, Bangkok markets are always an opportunity to plunge into ancient Thailand. Although some have become attractions primarily to tourists, there are still a few small beads that have kept the charm of the past. To make your choice, we have prepared a selection of the top 7 floating markets in Bangkok.

The floating markets in a few words

The origin of the floating markets dates back to the time when the roads were less developed and the boat was a very widespread means of transport in the Gulf of Thailand region. The channel network was at the time much more important in the capital than now. Moreover, life was literally turned to the river. The houses were built with an opening on the docks, as well as the shops and restaurants. To bring crops to the countryside, traditional boats were used. The sellers found themselves to trade in multiple locations that gave rise to the Bangkok floating markets.

In addition to selling ingredients, Thais started cooking them on their boats. They can therefore offer dishes prepared to other vendors where the inhabitants of the region. If today the canals have been replaced by roads, some floating markets in Bangkok remain. Better, they remind us of this tradition of the past.

Our advice to visit Bangkok's floating markets

• First of all, you must target the type of Bangkok floating markets you want to discover. The largest are usually the most touristic. Thus, relationships with premises can be less natural. In addition, don’t hesitate to negotiating prices, be it for souvenirs or boat rides.
• We absolutely advise you to make a traditional boat tour on the channel during your visit to one of Bangkok’s floating markets. You will be at the heart of animation and will be able to see sellers in action closer.
• Consider wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The boats used for the towers are not always equipped with a roof and the sun can hit hard.
• If you opt for an open market in the morning, try to get there early as possible. You will avoid potential tourists and enjoy an authentic moment at the dawn of the day.

The different floating markets of Bangkok

Floating market of Damnoen Saduak

Damnoen Saduak is better known and bigger all floating markets around the capital. It is in the first place to offer excursions to tourists who want to experience the floating markets of Bangkok. You will need to take a minibus to go to the market site, remote from 80 kilometres the city center of the megalopolis tentacular.

The animation that reigns from 6 a.m. is impressive, when all vendors arrive on the site and begin to install their boats against each other. The first transactions are undertaken, and you can observe the restorers of the region who come to supply themselves and the cooks who prepare typical dishes in their floating kitchen!

Damnoen Saduak being the most famous Bangkok floating market, so you will meet many tourists who have come to do their shopping. Therefore, we recommend you arrive early in the morning to enjoy the authentic atmosphere of the place. It is also common to see sellers inflate their prices facing strangers. So, don’t hesitate to negotiate or make your way if the rates seem to be exaggerated.

Khlong Lat Mayom floating market

Located only 20 kilometres downtown, this floating market in Bangkok remains one of more authentic . If the place starts to be known to foreign and Thai tourists, a visit of Khlong Lat Mayom keeps you the promise of a dive in the heart of local life. You will be subjugated by the colors and sounds that invade the channel at the first hours of the day. Bruits of pans that come together, negotiations punctuated with bursts of laughter and vendors that arouse you will speed your walk through the water.

Prices remain affordable and we advise you to taste local specialties such as Thai pad or mango gluant rice. This floating market in Bangkok retains a traditional image and shows the daily life of Thailand as it has been for centuries.

Bang Khu Wiang floating market

You'll have to. early to enjoy the floating market of Bang Khu Wiang but experience is worth it. The boats begin to gather before even the day. You attend the ballet of the shadows slipping on the river, and start distinguishing the moving forms from the vendors who prepare. When darkness leaves room for light, you will discover an organization set in a millimeter and a concert of voices that rise and begin to market. Fruits and vegetables in one sense, fried notes in the other, negotiations are tough but always in good mood.

If you come early enough, you will attend the procession of the monks who came to collect their offerings from the sellers and the premises, a moving show that will leave you an unforgettable memory.

Taling Chan floating market

This Bangkok floating market is easily accessible by 30 minutes from downtown. You will be deposited not far from the canal and will have to pass through a street where are installed from and from plant vendors then food. You will begin to distinguish between the clapotis created by the boats, as well as the intoxicating odors of the spices and small dishes that await you. The part of the canal where boat vendors are installed is quite small but this is what gives its charm to this floating market in Bangkok.

Here you can sit at a table by the canal and make your choice among the multitude of specialties that are cooked on these traditional Thai boats. A small orchestra composed of musicians playing traditional instruments will accompany your meal. Then you can board a long boat for a walk on the canal to the Wat Kro, a pretty Buddhist temple. A tour including the floating markets of Wat Saphan and Khlong Lat Mayom is also proposed.

Amphawa Floating Market

To visit this floating market in Bangkok, no need to get up at dawn! In fact, the boats begin to gather around noon and the snowshoes along the dock open at the same time. But it is truly in late afternoon that the market of Amphawa begins to live, when the Thais find themselves to eat after work.

You can take a place in a covered boat for a walk on the canals. At nightfall, the huts on the docks light up a magical view from the river. The guests sit at tables on the shores opposite the cooked boats that offer all kinds of dishes. Grilled shrimp, fish curry, fried noodles, you will not have enough of a day to test all the specialties offered.

You can also push a little further on the channel to attend the show of thousands of lights that light up in the dark night. Among all Bangkok's floating markets, Amphawa is the largest after that of Damnoen Saduak. However, it retains one quite traditional atmosphere . It is the meeting point of the premises, but also a popular getaway from the inhabitants of the city centre who come to relax on the weekend.

Thaka Floating Market

This floating market in Bangkok is only open to weekend . It is also one of the more authentic that we can find. He is less known than his neighbours of Amphawa or Damnoen Saduak. However, this is what still preserves it from mass tourism. Smaller size too, it offers you the opportunity to immerse in Thai life in contact with the premises.

Here, sellers are happy to make you taste their products and prices are always correct. No motor boats either! You'll take a seat in a boat led by a branch expert. It will slalom between floating kitchens to make you discover wooden houses along the canal and a palm sugar factory.

You can push further on the canal until you find yourself surrounded by lush vegetation that would almost threaten to cover you. You will cross the sellers on your way to the market, never eager to smile behind their fruit or vegetable mound. Here, no memories, you are in a real market that turns the local economy and where Thais come to feed or sell their products. If You're leaving early Bangkok, you are almost sure not to cross any tourists. Better, you could attend real life scenes. Those worthy of former Thailand.

Don Wai floating market

To 30 kilometres Just from the centre of Bangkok, Don Wai’s floating market keeps you the promise of a trip to the heart of Thai life. If a few tourists come to excite themselves in front of the dexterity of the merchants who pass from boat to boat, it is especially the Thais who come to shop here.

To make the most of the market, we recommend that you arrive on site between 6h and 7h . The surge of transactions is at its peak. In addition, you will sail in the nascent light at the sound of the slams of the rams and bursts of laughter from the sellers.

The particularity of this market is the speciality of Roasted ducks . We can buy them whole where to taste the dishes prepared with this very popular choice of locals. Cooked in soup, fried with noodles or simply cut into lairs on a bowl of rice, roast duck is a culinary experience not to be missed. Seafood and fish are the other flagship products of one of the best floating markets in Bangkok. You can combine this visit with that of the Don Wai temple. Indeed, the temple is located not far, on the banks of the Jeen Ta.

How much does a visit to Bangkok's markets cost?

Depending on the market you choose, rates can vary from simple to triple . Be sure to compare the offers to find out what is included in the tour that you are offered.

Our advice

• Try to book an all inclusive tour. You will not have any surprises when you arrive at the market.
• All tours should include back-to-back transport from your hotel and an English-speaking guide.
• For the Amphawa floating market, count about 45€ per person.
• The Khlong Lat Mayom market is accessible for 55€. This includes a bike ride including another market, temples, orchid farm...
• For a private visit to the Tha Kha market, prices can rise to 85€, boat trip included.

Now we only have to wish you a good appetite!