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19 Best Floating Markets in Bangkok and its neighbours to Visit in 2024

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Updated:

  • 15/01/2024

If this is your first time in Thailand, then floating market visit should be on your list of things to do. Floating markets in Bangkok are an opportunity to enjoy local boat ride, while buying everything you need at a very low cost.

Some of them are located at a considerable distance from the city center and are most often visited as part of group or private tour, and some can be reached in a matter of minutes.

Here is the list of 19 most famous floating markets in Bangkok; keep reading this post to get up-to-date information about how to get, entrance fees, best day tours to join, what to buy, see and do and other important details.

Floating markets in Bangkok

1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Market is the most popular floating market in Bangkok, which has made this place the most visited by tourists.

By the way, the floating markets in Bangkok may have become popular thanks to him, because the next part of the Bond movie with Roger Moore, The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed here.

Damnoen Saduak floating market is huge, with a large number of boats full of local produce, fresh vegetables, colorful fruits and other authentic Thai food.

Everything is exactly as travelers imagine. At Damnoen Saduak floating market you can take a huge number of unique photos. The only drawback of this place is that it is located 100 km from downtown Bangkok and looks more like just a theme park than a real market.

It is better to visit the market in the morning, when it is still not so hot. There are always a lot of tourists here.

But don’t let that discourage you, in order to feel the atmosphere of the best floating market, try to bypass the shopping tourist spots. The road to the market will take about an hour.

2. Amphawa Floating Market, Bangkok

One of the best weekend floating markets in Bangkok, located on Mae Klong river. Of course, it is not as big as Damnoen, but it has something to surprise you with.

Amphawa floating market is often visited by the locals, so if you want to avoid crowds of tourists, then choose this place.

Amphawa Market is located 50 km southwest of Bangkok. A small village was formed here back in the 17th century, so Amphawa floating market is considered the oldest floating market.

This place became so popular among Bangkok residents that small food stalls began to appear everywhere and soon grew and took over the neighboring streets.

The main reason to visit this place, like many other popular floating markets in Bangkok, is to eat seafood.

Here on the grill, right in the boats that are moored along the bridge, you will cook shrimp, clams and squid. From noon until evening, the appetizing smell of Thai food spreads throughout the area.

Floating market in Bangkok

3. Taling Chan Floating Market

Taling Chan Floating Market is located 14 km west from central Bangkok. Out of many others floating markets in the outskirts of Bangkok, this one is considered the most “real”, so feel free to visit it, if you’re looking for unique experience.

Floating Markets Bangkok

In Taling Chan floating market, you can try delicious and fresh seafood, enjoy longtail boat ride, take vivid photos and, of course, try a lot of delicacies and local dishes.

4. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

A traditional floating market located 10 km east from central Bangkok. You can get to it by taxi. The main advantage of this place is that you can be the only foreigner visiting this market.

Wooden boats move along narrow channel, there is enough space only for a few boats to pass. You can visit another market – Taling Chan floating market, as they are 4 km away from each other.

Floating market in Bangkok

5. Bang Nam Phueng

One of the smallest floating markets around Bangkok, but also the closest, is located just 20 km from the capital of Thailand. Getting to it is not so easy, the only option is a taxi ride.

The size of the market is quite modest, but this does not prevent it from being a great place to try delicious Thai local food and remain just a wonderful place, the so-called “Easy Bangkok”.

The bend in the river protects the market, so it can be said that it is in an unspoiled nature reserve. If your goal is beautiful photos of boats moving at times chaotically, then Bang Nam Phueng market is not the best place for this, there are only a few boats and there are several traditional Thai houses.

Market on the river in Bangkok

6. Tha Kha Floating Market

Tha Kha floating market is really small and usually visited by fewer tourists. Due to the peculiarities of the landscape, this market is not threatened with development, which allows to preserve its unique atmosphere.

Elderly Thais sell fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood from boats. Most of the buyers in Tha Kha floating market are local residents. The entire process of selling and buying is done from boats.

If you can’t find the goods you need in Tha Kha floating market or any other markets, then head to Chatuchak Market in Bangkok . It is not so unusual, but there is more variety there.

7. Muang Boran Floating Market

If you’re looking for something belonging to traditional Thai culture, then you’ll spend great time at Muang Boran floating market. This market is actually a part of Ancient City in Bangkok, where all Thai regions replicas are presented.

The main goal of this floating market is not only to entertain tourists, but also to demonstrate how important floating markets are for Thais.

8. Bang Khla Floating Market

This floating market is located about 100 km from downtown Bangkok in Bang Khla district, so only those tourists looking for unique experience will be able to reach Bang Khla.

This market was opened in 2007, with the main goal to develop local tourism and help locals to earn money.

International tourists are rare visitors here, main public is presented by people living in Bangkok and its suburbs. Once there, you should try fish and seafood, which are usually the freshest there.

Also this place is considered as one the best floating markets you can buy mangoes from not only in this area, but in the whole Thailand.

9. Sook Siam

This place is not exactly floating market that you might think of. This food market is located in the mall, with many elements that try to recreate the atmosphere of a floating market. For example, a small canal along which lonely boats are periodically floating.

Initially, this project was created to attract millions of tourists, who would like to enjoy Thai food.

There you’ll find a lot of food stalls, so if’d like to taste as many snacks as possible, try a little of everything, don’t rush to eat the whole portion. As this is tourist place, be ready that the prices there are rather high.

10. Bang Nok Khwaek Floating Market

This place has 100+ years of history, in the past it was very important trading place. On this river market you’ll find meals and Thai food that you probably will not find in restaurants.

So, don’t miss an opportunity to degustate something really delicious and really related to Thai cuisine.

One of the most popular meals here is crab noodles. Take a look at houses, located along the river, they were built more than 100 years ago.

11. Kwan Riam River Market

This river market is located between ancient Buddhist temples about 30 km away from Bangkok. Kwan Riam floating market is one of the modern markets in Thailand.

Many tourists come here not only for delicious Thai food, but to learn more about Thai culture and lifestyle. If you arrive early in the morning you’ll get a chance to see monks and people who give them food.

This place offers a lot of things to do for tourist: you can enjoy shopping, buy souvenirs, handmade items, ride the boat, enjoy your meal at boat-restaurant and even check small zoo, located at the market.

12. Don Wai River Market

If you’re looking for something delicious to try out, Don Wai floating market is the great place to visit.

This local market is famous for any types of Thai meals you’re looking for, starting from old-fashioned traditional Thai food to modern snacks that many tourists like so much.

As nowadays there are so many floating markets in Bangkok, this one is mostly visited by locals. Please note, that there is almost no place to sit and enjoy your meal right at the Don Wai river market, so all snacks are mostly should be taken home.

13. Wat Saphan River Market

This river market is relatively new and is located on the territory of the temple that was destroyed. But still some ruins can be found, hidden in green bushes.

This floating market is partly surrounded by the orchads, so you can always find fresh fruit here.

Its not so popular, which means that it less crowded and you can fully enjoy the atmoshpere of the place.

People visiting this place mostly come here to have a short brake from everyday life husstles.

14. Wat Lam Phaya Floating Market

Just 30 minutes ride from Bangkok there is another popular market spot named after the temple, which was very important religious place for about 100 years.

As for other floating markets in Bangkok, here you can find local produce, fruit, vegetables, seafood, souvenirs and other.

This is medium sized floating marke, but you will not be tired from noisy tourist crowds. Trade here goes on the land and on the dock, the last place is more popular and more crowded.

15. Khlong Bang Luang River Market

What will surprise you the most at Khlong Bang Luang floating market – lack of noise and other attributes of big city so common to central Bangkok.

That canal where this market is located was created to shorten the distance between Bangkok and Ayutthaya that once was the capital of Thailand.

There you’ll find art galleries and art spaces, quiet places to enjoy cup of coffee and some rare boats selling goods from local producers.

16. Bang Phli Floating Market

This Bangkok floating market has very long history. For a long time Bang Phli floating market was used as a transportation hub not only for goods but for people as well.

Both sides of the canal were occupied by shops selling different types of goods you can even think of.

If you would like to learn more about this place, then move to the heart of the Bang Phli floating market, where you can find the exhibition of market photos from different decades and years.

17. Bangnoi Floating Market

This river market is located not far away from Amphawa floating market. This is river market in its traditional understanding: wooden houses that were built here about 50 years ago, local food producers selling their goods from boats, a lot of interesting and unusual things you can buy and try.

Bangnoi floating market offers varieties of exotic fruits, there you can also buy famous shrimp paste. This is also a great place to enjoy atmosphere of the past, so you can visit Tang Siam Ha Museum which is absolutely free.

18. Wat Sai River Market

Wat Sai floating market gained its popularity when roads led to Bangkok were not as developed as they are now.

When the government of Thailand started to build and develop the capital to make it more attractive for tourists from all over the world, the popularity of this floating market started to decrease.

Nowadays Wat Sai floating market experience some sort of rebirth and invites people to longtail boat cruise and taste some authentic Thai food.

19. Koh Kret Island Floating Market

This is actually not a floating market, but it was impossible not to include it in our list. This place is located on the artificial island not far from Bangkok. The island appeared when the canal was widen several times.

Visit this island on weekend to dive into completely different atmoshpere of real rural life. Tourists come here not only to enjoy Thai national food, but also for pottery items.

Bangkok Floating Markets FAQ

What is the famous floating market in Bangkok?

Damnoen Saduak is considered as one of the most popular floating market and most visited in Thailand.
It gained its popularity due to the fact, that many locals arrive there with goods (usually fruits and flowers), making this floating market great place for nice pictures.

Is the floating market in Bangkok worth it?

Yes, visit to floating market provides really unique experience. You can enjoy fresh produce from locals, buy interesting souvenirs, create memorable pictures.
Also, its a great way to learn more about Thai culture and traditions.

What can you buy at Bangkok floating market?

You can find and purchase almost everything: gifts and souvenirs (but they are often overpriced), fresh produce (exotic fruits), fresh seafood, local snacks.

Why does Thailand have floating markets?

It’s a part of Thai history and culture. When there were lack of roads and infrastracture, goods were sold mostly from boats.
So, water canals were the main traffic artery. Nowadays, they are mostly tourist places.

What is special about floating market?

It’s a great way to learn more about the culture of the country, to enjoy absolutely new experience bying goods from boats and watch virtuoso cooking in a small boat.

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