Floating markets are a unique part of Thailand and a fascinating attraction that you can only see in this wonderful country. These traditional markets are a symbol of Thailand’s culture that tourists are curious to explore and visit.
Most cities of Thailand have at least one floating market, but among this beautiful country’s cities, Bangkok is more known for its many floating markets. These bazaars were the main market to buy everyday needed products in the olden days of Thailand. Nowadays, it is more of a tourist attraction. Stay with us to learn more about these extraordinary markets.
Apart from the interesting sight of selling and purchasing products while floating on a Thai boat, you can also test Thai foods and enjoy a delicious meal from Thai cuisine. In Thailand’s floating markets, every vendor sells its products while floating in a boat on the water channels of the cities. All kinds of traditional handicrafts, vegetables, fresh tropical fruits, and local cuisine are offered in the floating markets of Thailand.
Floating markets are only seen in cities and countries that are located around rivers. Like Seri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and THAILAND. In this case, we will talk about Thailand’s floating markets and share a brief profile of some of its most popular ones.
Top 5 Thailand’s Floating Markets
There are numerous floating markets in Thailand that everyone has specific features which make them unique. Here are 5 of our favorites.
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Amphawa Floating Market
- Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market
- Taling Chan Floating Market
- Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
In Damnoen Saduak district of Ratchaburi province lies one of the best floating markets in Thailand. Although this bazaar is 100 kilometers away from Bangkok, a lot of tourists and locals like to purchase fresh tropical fruits and vegetables from this market. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Prices are reasonable as most of the products are fake.
Make sure that you try traditional Thai foods when you visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This market is most famous for its perfect spots for photography. Make sure you take plenty of pictures in this traditional market.
- Location: 51 Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 7 am to 5 pm.
Amphawa Floating Market
Amphawa has one of the most authentic and oldest floating markets in Thailand. The exciting part of Amphawa floating is its small wooden old shops located along the water channel of the city. Unlike its gorgeous views, long history, and variety of products, Amphawa is less popular among tourists than Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Amphawa gets very crowded during lunchtime. In order to avoid the crowd, you must visit this market in the morning and get an early lunch. Then when most of the population is busy eating, you can get on the cruise and explore the market to avoid traffic.
What makes this floating market special is that it is open for 24 hours, Thursdays of every week. Thursdays of every week, Amphawa Floating Market is open for 24 hours straight, and you can visit it any time you want.
- Location: CXG3+2X5, Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand.
- Timings:
- closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
- Thursdays are open for 24 hours.
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market
Bang Nam Phueng floating market is another top floating market in Thailand. This floating market is one of the smallest ones in Thailand, yet it’s very famous due to its closeness to central Bangkok.
Bang Nam is a bit quieter than other floating markets in Thailand and also closer to central Bangkok. These are the reasons that this floating market is popular among tourists and locals.
Bang Nam has a very small area that only six or seven boats can float in it. That’s why most people believe that Bang Nam is not a floating market, as you can barely float on it.
- Location: 98 Bang Nam Phueng, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan 10130, Thailand.
- Timings:
- closed from Monday to Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan is another top floating market in Thailand which is located a small distance from central Bangkok. Apart from the floating market and its features, Taling Chan floating market is situated next to a local market which makes it a great place for shopping.
Everything you’ve ever dreamed of a typical traditional Thai floating market, can be seen in Taling Chan. Other famous floating markets in Thailand are crowded with tourists and cheap and fake products. If you are looking for a more authentic floating market where you can find all traditional Thai handicrafts and products.
This traditional floating market has all the features of a typical Thai floating market with complete characteristics of it. Taling Chan is only 12 kilometers away from downtown Bangkok.
- Location: 333 Chak Phra Rd, Khlong Chak Phra, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Timings:
- closed from Monday to Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 4 pm.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is located near Bangkok and less than twenty kilometers away from the city. Klong Lat Mayom floating market is not like other crowded floating markets, but it is known as a special local Thai market. The water channel in this market is narrow, there are fewer boats, and most of the stalls and shops are located on the edge of the channel.
Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is more than a floating market as it is next to a basic market on solid ground. Visiting this floating market gives you the opportunity to explore two kinds of traditional Thai markets.
- Location: 30/1 หมู่ที่ 15 Bang Ramat Rd, Bang Ramat, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Timings:
- closed from Monday to Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Final words about Thailand’s top floating markets
Thailand’s floating markets are one of this beautiful country’s most popular attractions, attracting a large number of tourists annually. Visiting Thailand’s floating markets is a complete adventure. You get to ride on a Thai longtail boat, look for traditional Thai handicrafts, meet and greet locals, see a traditional Thai market and enjoy delicious Thai cuisine.
Thailand’s floating markets are considered tourist attractions more than ordinary markets used by locals. In this article, we’ve made a pocket list of Thailand’s top 5 floating markets. Hope it helps you in planning your trip to this charming country.