For many people a trip to Bangkok includes a visit to a floating market but deciding which one can to visit can be a difficult choice. We have visited several and think each has its own reasons to visit them so we have posted our thoughts to help decide. If time permits why not visit all of them? All are fantastic destinations for both your appetite and your camera.
Damnoen Saduak
By far the most known floating market is Damnoen Saduak, located in Ratchaburi, about two hours drive from Bangkok.
This iconic market is major destination for tourists (often on their way to Kanchanaburi)which means big crowds and added chaos to the already congested waterway.
Get aboard a flat-bottomed boat to get amongst it all - the insane tight squeezes (how do they do it?), perfectly balanced piles of produce, constant noise and absurd prices - this is still a great place to visit despite the crowds.
Taling Chan
Taling Chan is a market on the Chakphra Klong (across from the Taling Chan District Office). Open only on the weekends from about 9am through to late afternoon. Partly on the water on the market on the land, this is an easily accessible market to get up close to all the mouthwatering sights and smells.
The market is only about 20 year old (built to mark the current King's 60th birthday) it was designed to capture the old way of Thai culture where locals used the waterways for commerce, transport and living. It has a much more low-key feel than Damnoen but this won't last for long so get there before the tourist buses come. Having said that, it is still a lively place to visit and some things sold here include flowers, fruit, vegetables, trinkets, animals and plants.
Like most places in Thailand come with an empty stomach because with all this food floating by you will build up a big appetite for the wealth of dishes that are cooked straight from the boats on either side of the pier. Before heading back to Bangkok there is a chance to see Thai classical dance performances too.
Ampawa
Ampawa district is in Samut Songkram and only 90 mins from Bangkok. You visit here for more than just a market experience.
It consists of over 300 canals feeding off the Mae Klong River. Around Ampawa, the streets are narrow and most houses open onto the canal side. Of all the canals areas we have visited the water here was the cleanest despite the daily usage the canals get for all manner of business and leisure activities.
Ampawa has its own floating market which takes place from Friday through to Sunday, however unlike other more popular floating markets it comes alive in the afternoon (from around 3pm on). Predominately food, the opportunity to taste local produce should not be missed so make sure you take your time and an empty stomach.
But the floating market is not the only reason to visit. By night a boat trip along the Mae Klong reveals an amazing light show as the abundant fireflies swarm amongst the trees along the river bank. If I had not seen it for myself I would not have believed that the fireflies could flash in harmony just like a Christmas tree would. The hundreds of yellow flashes make for a wonderful photo opportunity.
There are also quite a few temples that are worth a visit such as Wat Bangkae and Wat Bang Kung. This latter one has a small room that has become encased in the roots of a Banyan Tree (similar to the Buddha head at Wat Mahathat in Authaya). Inside a beautiful gold Buddha and from some angles you can hardly see the Wat enclosure.
With so much to experience in Ampawa it is well worth an overnight visit so we recommend arranging a home stay through a local tour operator or just asking the locals once you get there.
Other Areas
If getting waterborne to visit have food experiences is your thing then consider this ecotourism destination - Khlong Mahasawat, a canal in Nakhon Pathom Province.
This is a hands on experience where you get to taste the local fresh fruit direct from an orchard, pick lotus flowers from ponds, learn how rice crackers are made,and contribute to the local economy. We came upon this after a tip off from Fee's dad who is an Agronomist.
Created through an joint initiative between the local community, the Department of Agricultural and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this agri-tour won top honours at the Thailand Tourism Awards 2007.
Khlong Mahasawat is an hour's drive from Bangkok meaning you can complete the tour is around half a day. Travel by road or train to Wat Suwannaram where you then hire a boat(expect to pay 300 baht/ boat). We were met at the Wat and did the following tour for about 60 baht.
The first place you visit is a lotus farm where you can see the different types of Thai lotus along with learning how they are used in ceremonies. Make sure you ask to try picking some (unfortunately they won't let you do it like they do) and be sure to buy some too(a bunch of 20 for less then a dollar).
Next stop a food processing plant that specialises in khao tang, a rice cracker with assorted sweet toppings. The women here show you how to it is made using rough rice ('unpolished') and they taste great! Choose from two types one with sesame seeds and the other with shredded pork.
Next is an orchard that is abundant in organically grown mango, pomelo, jack fruit, banana, and lots of other fruits we had never seen before (I don't each much fruit but Fiona was in heaven). Take the farm truck (about 40 Baht) to tour the orchard, despite its noise and lack of shock absorbers it is worth the discomfort to beat the heat and take in all the views. At the end of the tour you are in for a special treat with a range of delicacies made from the farm's produce - jack fruit, sweet and sour mango, pickled mango, and Thai desserts such as khanom phing (tastes sweet and coconut like) - all to sample for...what for it - free!
Last stop on the tour is an orchid farm where you can see and buy orchids cheaply. This is a great photo opportunity.
