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Bangkok is not only famous for its glittering golden temples or bustling shopping centers but also for its unique floating market Bangkok, where visitors can experience local culture and cuisine amidst the river scenery. The floating markets around Bangkok are an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in a peaceful, traditional space. Let’s explore the 7 most famous Bangkok floating markets, each with its unique features, promising to bring you unforgettable experiences.
7 Floating Markets Around Bangkok
Floating market Bangkok is where you can explore the unique culture of Thailand, enjoy delicious food, and experience shopping on boats. Here are 7 Bangkok floating markets that you should not miss.
Taling Chan Floating Market Bangkok
Taling Chan Floating Market Bangkok
Taling Chan Floating Market is a small floating market that attracts many locals and tourists every weekend. Here, you can find a variety of traditional Thai dishes, from snacks to local specialties. The market is located about 30 minutes from Bangkok.
- Address: 333 Chak Phra Rd, Khlong Chak Phra, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is famous worldwide and is known as the symbol of Thailand’s floating markets. Used as a backdrop in the 1974 James Bond film, the market attracts numerous tourists who come to experience the vibrant atmosphere and beautiful scenery. It is an ideal place to shop for handicrafts, fresh fruits, and street food.
- Address: Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Daily from 7 am to 5 pm.
Kwan Riam Floating Market Bangkok
Kwan Riam Floating Market Bangkok
Kwan Riam is another floating market in Bangkok, featuring a large bridge over the canal and cherry blossoms in full bloom, creating a beautiful atmosphere. You can take a boat trip along the canal to enjoy the scenery and shop for delicious food here. With fresh air and poetic scenery, Kwan Riam is an ideal place for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Address: 45 Ramkhamhaeng 185 Alley, Min Buri, Bangkok 10510, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday from 7 am to 5 pm.
Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market Bangkok
Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market is a small but very crowded and bustling market with hundreds of stalls along the canal. This is where you can enjoy Thai specialties such as papaya salad, grilled squid, and grilled fish. The market is about 30 minutes from Bangkok, open on weekends, giving you an interesting shopping and dining space.
- Address: 30/1 หมู่ที่ 15 Bang Ramat Rd, Bang Ramat, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market In Samut Prakan
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market In Samut Prakan
Located in the Bang Krachao area, Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market is famous for its fresh air, quiet atmosphere and many trees. Unlike other floating markets, goods are mainly sold on the banks of the canals rather than on boats. This is a great place to enjoy the fresh air and shop for fresh local products.
- Address: 98 Bang Nam Phueng, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan 10130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday from 7:30 am to 4 pm.
Wat Takien Nonthaburi Floating Market Bangkok
Wat Takien Floating Market is located in the Nonthaburi area and was built by Wat Takhian temple to thank the local people for their merit. This is where you can discover traditional Thai dishes and delicious street food.
- Address: 86 RCGF+X36 7 Bang Khu Wiang, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi 11130, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm; Saturday – Sunday 7:30 am to 5 pm.
Wat Sai Floating Market Bangkok
Wat Sai Floating Market is a cultural fusion of Chinese and Thai culture and is a great place to shop for fresh fruit from the boats that bring in new produce every day. This market is about 40 minutes from Bangkok and is one of the earliest floating markets to open in the day. Come here, you will feel the peaceful atmosphere and the abundance of goods on the river.
- Address: 58/229 Soi Ekkachai 24, Bang Khun Thian, Khet Chom Thong, Bangkok 10150, Thailand.
- Opening hours: Daily from 4am to 1pm.
What’s the best time to visit a Bangkok floating market?
If you are planning to explore the unique floating markets in Bangkok, choosing the right time to visit will help you have a better experience. Floating markets in Bangkok are not only a place for shopping, but also a place for you to learn a part of the culture and lifestyle of the local people. So when is the best time for you to fully enjoy your trip?
The busiest time of the day for the floating market Bangkok
Morning is the best time to visit the Bangkok floating markets. The market is at its busiest between 7 am and 9 am. This is when the boats begin to fill up with fresh goods such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, and traditional Thai dishes. The air in the morning is also fresher and cooler, giving you a comfortable experience when sightseeing and shopping. In addition, visiting the market in the morning also allows you to choose the freshest products, which are sold as soon as they are caught or harvested.
November to March – Ideal time for floating market Bangkok tour
The period from November to March of the following year is the most suitable time for international tourists to visit Bangkok, especially the floating markets. This is the dry season in Thailand, with pleasant weather, little rain and cool temperatures. Visiting the floating markets at this time helps you avoid the sweltering heat of summer and the sudden rains of the rainy season. This also makes your trip more pleasant, and you can spend more time exploring other places around without worrying about the weather.
What can you buy at a Bangkok floating market?
Bangkok floating markets are a great place to shop for unique items and sample local cuisine. You’ll be captivated by the variety and variety of products on display on colorful boats.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
One of the must-buy items when visiting Bangkok’s floating markets is souvenirs. You will find all kinds of key chains, T-shirts and hats printed with typical Thai symbols. In addition, handcrafted statues, exquisite wooden furniture and paintings of famous Bangkok landmarks are also ideal gifts for you to bring back as souvenirs or to give to relatives and friends.
Fresh fruit
Fresh fruit
Bangkok floating markets are a paradise for fresh fruit. Every day, small boats filled with tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, and durian are sold everywhere. These fruits are fresh and cheap, you can buy them to enjoy or give as gifts to your loved ones. This is a great opportunity to taste the typical flavors of Thailand and experience local cuisine uniquely.
Street food
If you are a foodie, a floating market Bangkok is the perfect place to indulge in delicious street food. Here, you can find all sorts of snacks, from sweets like mango sticky rice and Thai egg tarts, to savory dishes like grilled seafood, fish cakes, and soups. These dishes are prepared on the spot, giving you a lively and authentic dining experience.
Read more: Tours of Vietnam and Cambodia: Discover the beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia
What kind of food can you try at a floating market Bangkok?
When you come to floating market Bangkok, you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of unique dishes, imbued with traditional Thai flavors. Here are some dishes you should not miss:
- Mango Sticky Rice: This is one of the most famous dishes in Thailand and you can easily find it at floating markets. This dish combines soft sticky rice with sweet ripe mango, creating a harmonious flavor between the richness of coconut milk and the sweetness of mango.
Mango Sticky Rice
- Grilled Seafood: Grilled seafood is a popular dish at Bangkok’s floating markets, with all sorts of fresh seafood grilled on the spot. The rich flavors of fresh seafood combined with typical Thai spices will bring an unforgettable culinary experience. However, one thing to note is that Thai people have a habit of eating very spicy food, so if you are not used to spicy food, ask for less spiciness when ordering.
- Papaya Salad: Papaya Salad, also known as Som Tum, is one of the most famous street foods in Thailand. Shredded green papaya is mixed with spices such as lime, chili, garlic, and fish sauce, creating a dish with a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. This dish is very stimulating to the taste buds, bringing a unique flavor to your first taste.
- Seasonal fruits: Thailand is a paradise for tropical fruits, and at the floating markets, you will be able to admire and enjoy many delicious, seasonal fruits. From mango, durian, mangosteen, to rambutan, watermelon, each fruit has its own unique flavor. Don’t forget to try these fruits to fully enjoy the natural flavors of Thailand.
- Grilled Skewers: Another dish that you can easily find at Bangkok’s floating markets is grilled skewers. From meat, fish, and seafood to vegetables, all are marinated and grilled until golden brown. This dish is often sold at small stalls, with a rich flavor and easy to eat, it is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy Thai cuisine.
Frequently asked questions
What to wear when going to Bangkok floating market?
Wear simple, easy-to-move clothes
When visiting Bangkok’s floating markets, you don’t have to worry about adhering to strict dress codes, as there are no mandatory dress codes. However, for the most enjoyable experience, you should choose clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in. Light, airy clothes are ideal as the weather in Bangkok is often quite hot. Furthermore, since you will need to get on and off boats and move around a lot, wearing clothes and shoes that are easy to move in will make it easier for you to visit and shop.
Is there an entrance fee to floating market Bangkok?
When visiting the floating market Bangkok, you do not have to pay any entrance fee. You can walk around, explore, and admire the stalls without paying an entrance fee. However, if you want to experience the real floating market by traveling on a boat, you will have to pay for this service. The cost of the boat is usually not too expensive and will allow you to see the floating market from a more unique perspective and enjoy the bustling atmosphere on the river.
How long does it take to visit Bangkok floating market?
The time it takes to visit a Bangkok floating market can vary depending on the size of the market you choose. Smaller floating markets can be visited in just one to two hours. However, to leisurely explore, shop, and enjoy the food at the market, you should spend at least two to three hours.
Visiting Bangkok’s floating markets is a unique and fascinating experience, with its bustling atmosphere, unique culture, and rich cuisine. Sinhcafe has many Thailand tours, Southeast Asia tours for tourists with itineraries to explore many famous floating markets. Readers should refer to the latest Thailand tours at Sinhcafe to start their trip.
