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Bangkok's best floating markets

[Updated November 25, 2023] Bangkok's floating markets are one of the country's top attractions.

Although they have evolved from simple meeting and trading places for local communities to tourist attractions for national and international visitors, these markets are still very much a part of our lives. rooted in Thai culture.

The history of Thailand's floating markets

Historically, Bangkok and the three provinces to the west - Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom - were endowed with many kilometers of rivers, streams and canals, where Thais sailed their boats to get to their destinations. move, fishing and trade.

At a time when modern road infrastructures were being developed almost non-existentIn the Middle Ages, waterways were the main means of transport. That's why Europeans nicknamed Bangkok the "Venice of the East".

In the past, most of the houses lined the canals and had small wooden piers where residents moored their boats. To get around, residents simply climbed into their boats and rowed to their destination.

Channels in the most strategic locations received heavy traffic, and some segments were even transformed into floating marketswhere the inhabitants exchanging goodsincluding food, without leaving their boat.

However, with the rapid expansion of Bangkok and the country's development over the course of the 20th century, many of the capital's canals were destroyed. undergone transformations.

The construction of freeways and roads to encourage motorized transport in the mid-twentieth century contributed to the decline in Thailand's floating markets.

This evolution also led to the gradual disappearance of the trading communities that had traditionally made their home along the canals.

How are Thailand's floating markets faring today?

With the arrival of tourism, everything has changed. In 1971, the Tourism Authority of Thailand began promoting the Lad Plee (now Damnoen Saduak) floating market as a tourist attraction, and it proved a huge success.

Over the years, Thailand's ancient floating markets have come back to lifeand many new floating markets have emerged, but their main objectives are now to attract tourists.

As a result, Thailand's floating markets have evolved from simple commercial spaces into leisure destinations.

In Bangkok today, there are dozens of floating marketsmost of which are for Thais looking to enjoy the morning in a picturesque setting, enjoy a good lunch and buy souvenirs.

Some of these markets, such as the one in Amphawa, even offer a wide range of canal-side accommodationfor tourists wishing to spend a whole weekend in the region.

Are floating markets still on the water?

NoNot all of Thailand's floating markets are on the water!

The term "floating market" is, in my opinion, a mistranslation of the Thai word "talat nam".

In Thai, "talat nam" is made up of the words "talat", meaning market, and "nam", meaning water. Thus, it encompasses markets located on or near water, and is not limited to strictly floating markets.

Thailand's many floating markets have few, if any, boutique boats and are located right next to a waterway. One example is the Bang Nam Phueng floating market (see Instagram post below) in the Bang Kachao district, one of Bangkok's green lungs.

Floating markets, with a minimal presence of boats, can be surprising (and sometimes disappoint) some Western visitors who expect to find the classic image of travel catalogs, where numerous boats ply the canals selling colorful fruit and vegetables.

At present, there are no a single floating market with a large number of boats : Damnoen Saduakthe most popular with tourists and the only one open daily.

Should you visit Bangkok's floating markets?

There's no simple answer to this question. It is true that many of Thailand's most famous floating markets are specifically designed for tourists.

What's more, the products offered on these markets can often be more expensive than on the Thai land markets, making them somewhat more tourist trap.

However, the idea of cruising through the canals, buying lunch from a boat in a floating market, is a very pleasant one. a unique experience not available every day.

In my opinion, the novelty factor is a valid reason to visit one of these markets.

It is also worth noting that many Thais frequent these floating markets themselvesAlthough they don't necessarily visit the same places as foreign tourists.

What's more, some markets are considered more "authentic" than others. To help you make the best choice, you can consult my selection below.

Bangkok's best floating markets

Contrary to what cabs or tuk-tuk drivers might tell you, it is quite possible to visit Bangkok's floating markets. without a guided tour.

All you have to do is get there on your own and ask someone on site to take you on a boat tour of the market. This option is ideal if you want to manage your budget.

However, if you're not looking for a headachethen the guided tours offered by my partner GetYourGuide are just the thing for you.

To give you an idea of prices, guided tours of the Damnoen Saduak floating market start at around €21 for a half-day.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Why visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market? Established in 1866, it is Thailand's oldest floating market, offering a unique blend of antiques, history and chaos!

Yes, many of my colleagues will tell you that the floating market at Damnoen Saduak is a must-see. lost its authenticity to become a tourist trap.

However, in my opinion, this is where you feel the most authentic essence a "floating market" among Bangkok's many.

Nicknamed the city's "official" floating market, Damnoen Saduak is the largest and oldest in Bangkok.

Sailing from one canal to the next by boat, with the opportunity to buy a variety of local products, from delicious specialties to tropical fruits and regional agricultural produce, as well as souvenirs offered from other boats or along the canal, makes this market truly special.

This is where you can truly experience a Thai floating market. In my opinion, simply walking alongside the water, as is the case in other markets, is not enough to qualify the place as a true floating market.

However, there is a major aspect I don't like Damnoen Saduak floating market.

After 9 o'clock in the morning, the place becomes very crowdedwith a toxic smoke from the exhaust fumes of numerous motorboats.

To avoid this, I strongly advise you to visit this floating market as soon as possible.

How do I get to the Damnoen Saduak floating market?

The Damnoen Saduak floating market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located around 100 km from Bangkok. It's about an hour and a half's drive from Bangkok. Google Maps

If you don't have a car or a scooter, I strongly advise you to choose a guided tour with a company you can trust to avoid scams.

What scam am I talking about?

There is a very common scamwhich is mainly used by cab drivers or in some cheap tours like those sold on Khao San Road.

This deception consists of taking you to a jetty before arriving at the market, claiming that the only way to get there is to rent one of the large motorboats present here. But it's not true!

Some drivers may ask for exorbitant rates50 per person, to board the boat and visit the market.

Their many years of experience and the skills they have acquired over the years, even decades, in the art of deceiving people can push you to to give in and end up paying.

I know from experience, having been duped myself on my very first trip to Thailand.

Remember to do your research on the Internet to find a reliable company or you can opt for the services of my partner, who even offers free cancellation:

Amphawa Floating Market

Why visit the Amphawa floating market? This is a more authentic market than its neighbor, Damnoen Saduak. The seafood here is particularly delicious.

This is the market Thailand's best-knownand the country's second most popular after Damnoen Saduak.

Renowned for delicious seafoodAmphawa is popular with locals for its many food stalls offering local specialities at attractive prices. In addition, the market offers a wide variety of cafés, clothing and souvenirs.

In fact, in and around the Amphawa Floating Market, numerous hotels and inns have sprung up to welcome Bangkokians who come to spend a night or two to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Early in the morning, at sunrise, monks travel by boat to the market to collect morning alms. Some hotels even sell traditional offerings to visitors wishing to take part in this ceremony.

When visiting this market, don't expect the classic image of numerous boat vendors, the Amphawa market is mainly located on the continentAlthough there are a few sellers operating from their boats.

The boats you'll see here are often larger tourist vessels, offering scenic tours of the river and surrounding canals, or excursions to watching fireflies (visible only on certain crescent-moon nights), for a small supplement.

How do I get to the Amphawa floating market?

The Amphawa floating market is open from Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 8pm.

Located around 90 kilometers from Bangkok, it takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to drive there. Google Maps

I suggest you plan your visit to the Amphawa market in the continuation of Mae Klong marketAmphawa is just a 10-minute drive from Mae Klong.

This option is all the more convenient as Mae Klong is accessible by bus and train from Bangkok.

Taling Chan Floating Market

Why visit the Taling Chan floating market? One of Bangkok's most accessible markets, which has preserved its authenticity.

Inaugurated in 1987 with the aim of stimulating the local economy of the Taling Chan district by showcasing its local produce, this market offers a wide range of products and services. variety of unique products found nowhere else in Bangkok.

Vendors offer a tempting range of food, ancient traditional Thai desserts and even plants.

At the Taling Chan floating market, the boats are lined up along the jetty, giving more of an impression of a "floating market". a riverside market than a conventional floating market.

However, the huge advantage of the Taling Chan market lies in the accessibility of the small canals, known as "khlongs". A long-tail boat ride along these canals costs just 100฿ (~€2.60) and offers a unique perspective of Bangkok.

Take advantage of your walk to enjoy delicious fresh seafood that the market is famous for, such as shrimps, mussels and fried fish.

How do I get to the Taling Chan floating market?

The Taling Chan floating market is open on weekends and public holidays from 7.30am to 5pm.

It's just 20 minutes from Bangkok. Google Maps

The Taling Chan floating market is easily accessible by public transport. To do this, you'll need to take the MRT subway to Bang Khun Non (Blue Line) station. From there, take one of the free electric buses.

These buses leave from Exit 3 of the Bang Khun Non MRT station every 20 to 30 minutes, from 9:00 am until the last bus at 4:30 pm.

I recommend download the Viabus application and search for the route "4 floating market shuttle bus" for live updates on bus locations, which will give you an indication of waiting time.

Note that these free shuttles are not limited to the Taling Chan floating market. They also serve other sites. Here is the list of markets they visit, in order:

• Song Khlong floating market
• the floating market of Taling Chan
• the floating market of Khlong Lat Mayom
• Wat Saphan floating market

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Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

Why visit the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market? The ideal place to immerse yourself in Thai culture.

The Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is one of Bangkok's newest floating markets, but it's got a real more traditional atmosphere than some of the larger, long-established floating markets.

This is largely due to the fact that it's not about not yet a major tourist attraction (you'll be hard-pressed to find these famous elephant pants here!) and is more frequented by the local population.

This market's strong point is undoubtedly its street food. You can be sure to find the Thai dish you want here. The only difficulty will be choosing between 1 or 2... or even... 5 dishes !

Opened following the success of the Taling Chan market (which I introduced to you earlier), the Khlong Lat Mayom market is proud to offer a wider selection of locally grown organic products than the other market.

How to get to the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market?

The floating market at Khlong Lat Mayom is open at weekends from 8am to 5pm.

It's just 30 minutes from Bangkok, on the Thonburi river side. Google Maps

To get there, you can take one of the free buses at exit 3 of the Bang Khun Non MRT station, as for the Taling Chan market. Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

If you're interested, you can also opt for a guided tour including transport with my partner :

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