Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
FLOATING MARKETS
Pictures of floating markets jammed full of wooden canoes pregnant with colourful exotic fruits have defined the
official tourist profile of Thailand for decades. They've become as iconic as the Grand Palace or the Reclining
Buddha, but they are also almost completely contrived for, and dependent upon, foreign and domestic tourists -
roads and motorcycles have long moved Bangkokians' daily errands onto dry ground. That said, a few of Thail-
and's floating markets are worth a visit.
» Tha Kha Floating Market (Tha Kha, Samut Songkhram; 7am-noon, 2nd, 7th & 12th day of waxing &
waning moons plus Sat & Sun) This, the most 'real' feeling floating market, is also the most difficult to reach. A
handful of vendors coalesce along a narrow klorng (canal; also spelt khlong ) lined with coconut palms and old
wooden houses in rural Samut Songkhram Province. Boat rides (per person 20B, 45 minutes) can be arranged
along the canal, and there are lots of tasty snacks and fruits for sale. To get there, take a morning so?rng·ta?a·ou
(passenger pick-up truck) from Samut Songkhram's market area (8B, 10 minutes).
» Amphawa Floating Market (Amphawa, Samut Songkhram; dishes 20-40B; 4-9pm Fri-Sun) The Am-
phawa Floating Market, also in Samut Songkhram Province, convenes near Wat Amphawa, the centre of this tiny
town. The emphasis is on edibles and tourist knick-knacks, and because the market is only on weekends and is
popular among tourists from Bangkok, things can get pretty hectic. Amphawa is linked by so?rng·ta?a·ou from
Samut Songkhram's market area (8B, 10 minutes).
» Taling Chan Floating Market (Khlong Bangkok Noi, Thonburi; 7am-4pm Sat & Sun) Just outside
Bangkok on the access road to Khlong Bangkok Noi, Taling Chan's market looks like any other in the country,
busy with produce vendors from nearby farms. But the twist emerges at the canal, where several floating docks
serve as informal dining rooms, and the kitchens are canoes tethered to the docks. Taling Chan is in Thonburi and
can be reached via taxi from Wongwian Yai BTS station or via air-con bus 79 (16B, 25 minutes), which makes
stops on Th Ratchadamnoen Klang. Long-tail boats from any large Bangkok pier can also be hired for a trip to
Taling Chan and the nearby Khlong Chak Phra.
» Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi Province; 7am-noon) This 100-year
old floating market - the country's most famous - is now essentially a floating souvenir stand filled with package
tourists. This in itself can be a fascinating insight into Thai culture, as the majority of tourists here are Thais, and
watching their approach to this cultural 'theme park' is instructive. But beyond the market, the residential canals
are quite peaceful and can be explored by boat (per person 100B). Trips stop at small family businesses including
a Thai candy maker, a pomelo farm and a knife crafter. Air-con bus 79, with stops on Th Ratchadamnoen Klang,
and minivans from the Victory Monument both connect to the Southern Bus Terminal in Thonburi, from where
you can find buses to Damnoen Saduak (80B, two hours, frequent from 6am to 9pm).
» Don Wai Market (Don Wai, Nakhon Pathom; 6am-6pm) Not technically a swimmer, Don Wai Market
claims a riverbank location in Nakhon Pathom Province, having originally started out in the early 20th century as
a floating market for pomelo and jackfruit growers and traders. Like many tourist attractions geared towards
Thais, the main draw here is food, such as fruit, traditional sweets and ?èt pálóh (five-spice stewed duck), which
can be consumed on board large boats that cruise the Nakhon Chaisi River (60B, one hour). The easiest way to
reach Don Wai Market is to take a minivan from beside Central Pinklao in Thonburi (45B, 35 minutes).
Antiques, Handicrafts & Souvenirs
Section 1 is the place to go for Buddha statues, old LPs and other random antiques. More
secular arts and crafts, such as musical instruments and hill-tribe items, can be found in
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