If you happen to visit Thailand’s capital Bangkok, one area that you should not miss is the floating market. There are several of these floating markets where you can experience the country’s rich culture.
By a floating market, this means food, fruits, vegetables and other items are sold literally by local vendors both males and females on a small wooden boat or canoe that’s floating on along small canals. Here, you can haggle from the vendors as your canoe passes through the river or while you’re just situated along the banks. You can also get the chance to taste local food there cooked right on a floating kitchen.
The Damnoen Saduak is the largest and most popular of the floating markets in Bangkok. It is here where most visitors take their tour. The best time of the day to experience the bargains is in the early morning to avoid the crowd and the heat.
The best way to reach this famous market is to take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Samut Sangkhram Ratchaburi province. Once there, you just walk along the passageway to the market. Another option is to take a boat to the market pier.
The smaller markets are the Tha Ka and Ampawa. Situated within 10 kilometers from Damnoen Saduak, they are rarely visited by foreign tourists. Here you will find vendors selling lotus flowers, coconuts and other local produce.
To go to these floating markets and enjoy the fun trading activity, you need to rent a boat for a guided tour. If you’re heading to Tha Kha, follow the same directions to the Damnoen Saduak market or you can also hire a taxi going there.
Photo courtesy of All Posters