The Top 10 Floating Markets in Bangkok (Travel Guide)

Long-tail boats, ancient and traditional houses, and shouting vendors are the major elements of floating markets in Bangkok. They are excellent options for experiencing the exotic culture and life of Thailand.

Watching the busy but peaceful markets is something you can't do back home. International tourists are attracted by the traditional community life, delicious Thai food, and low-price goods and souvenirs of the floating markets. Here are the top 10 floating markets in Thailand, where you can experience the chaotic and charming atmosphere.

Flaoting Markets in Bangkok

Choosing from the Top 10 Floating Markets in Bangkok

Here are the top 10 popular floating markets in Thailand in a table for you to easily compare them and choose the right one for you according to your location, available time, and interests.

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1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market — The Biggest Floating Market in Bangkok

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

As one of the most famous floating markets in Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is definitely deserving of a visit. You can ride a long-tail boat, paddled along the canal, which is full of boats laden with all kinds of products, including food, fruits, and souvenirs. Explore the ancient remote villages and plantations if you have enough time. You can book a tour with us to explore this market or see how how it could fit into a Bangkok itinerary: 5-Day Bangkok Essential Tour.

• Location:(80 km from central Bangkok) Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi 70130
• Open: every day from 7am to 5pm
• How to get there: Take a bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal for 1½ hours .

2. Amphawa Floating Market — Thai Food, Seafood Market

Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa floating market is the second biggest in Bangkok after Damnoen Saduak Market. It is most famous for its fresh seafood and traditional Thai food.

Sitting on a little long-tailed boat and cruising along the canal is the best way to explore the market. After that, spend some time to explore the little wooden houses lined up along the canal and the mysterious little temple swallowed by a giant tree to complete a daytrip.

It is a smart idea to set off early in the morning as it gets crowded after midday.

• Location:(90 km from Bangkok) Amphawa, Samut Songkhram 75110
• Open: Friday to Sunday from 11am to 9.30pm
• How to get there: Take a bus at Maeklong Terminal (1½ hours).

3. Wat Sai Floating Market — A Mixture of Chinese and Thai Culture

Wat Sai Floating Market

Located in Chom Thong District of Bangkok, Wat Sai floating market is another popular floating market nearer central Bangkok. It was established by Chinese traders more than 150 years ago.

Vendors from China and Thailand sell all kinds of goods on their boats on the canals. It is a place to experience a unique mixture of Chinese and Thai culture. Cruising on a small boat on the canal is a relaxing way to spend a daytrip.

• Location: 23 km from downtown Bangkok, 58/229 Soi Ekkachai 24, Bang Khun Thian, Khet Chom Thong, Bangkok 10150.
• Open: Tuesday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm
• How to get there: Take a bus or taxi to the market, which takes about 15 minutes from the center of Bangkok.

4. Taling Chan Floating Market — A Good Place for Massages

Taling Chan floating market

Taling Chan Floating market is another weekend market that is worth visiting for its genuine products and special massage-on-a-boat or under-a-tree experience. It is a relaxing place to tour, where you can sit and eat on a long-tail boat on the river or the neighboring canals.

To make full use of your day trip, you can visit local temples and witness the life of people living by the water. After exploring the market, it's a good idea to enjoy a traditional Thai massage on a boat or a foot massage under the trees.

• Location: 12 km from downtown Bangkok; 300 Soi Chak Phra 17, Khwaeng Khlong Chak Phra, Khet Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170
• Open: 8am–6pm from Saturday to Sunday
• How to get there: Take a Chao Phraya Express Boat at S6 Station to Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier, and then take bus 79 to the floating market.

5. Bangkhla Floating Market — Authentic Countryside Atmosphere

Bangkhla Floating Market

If you want to experience a more remote and authentic floating market in Thailand, then Bangkhla Floating Market is a good place. The countryside charm, local seafood, and cosy atmosphere will make your trip enjoyable and relaxed.

It has become a favored destination for people of Bangkok to spend their weekends in recent years. Renting a bike to ride through the green countryside makes for a happy day tour.

• Location: 100 km from downtown; Thetsaban Phatthana 1 Alley, Bang Khla, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao 24110
• Open: 8am–6pm from Saturday to Sunday
• How to get there: Take a taxi for about 1½ hours from Bangkok.

6. Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market — Famous for Fruit and Food

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Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

Located in 'The Lungs of Bangkok', Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is small and closest to central Bangkok. There is a relatively untouched nature sanctuary nearby, where many tourists come to walk through the forest at the weekends. Visitors can also rent a bike to ride along the banks of the river to get close to nature.

There are only a few food and fruit vendor boats in the market. But you can also enjoy Thai food and buy local Thai fruit there.

• Location: (20 km from downtown) Bua Bueng Phatthana, Bang Kobua, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan 10130
• Open: 8:30am to 5pm from Saturday to Sunday
• How to get there: Take a taxi, which costs 200 baht, from downtown Bangkok.

7. Bang Phli Floating Market — Oldest Floating Market in Bangkok

Bang Phli Floating Market

As one of the oldest floating markets in Thailand, Bang Phli is a floating market where you can learn about Thai culture and history. Try to spend a few hours to explore the historical buildings and temples along the canal as well as experiencing the vendors' life on the floating market. It is a good idea to talk with the vendors who are friendly and happy to talk about their life stories when you buy some food from them. Fresh fruit, grilled seafood, and noodles are some of the major wares being sold on the boats.

• Location: (38 km from downtown Bangkok) Sukhaphiban 3rd Road, Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, 10540
• Open: Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5:30pm
• How to get there: Take the BTS Sky Train to Bearing Station, then take a short taxi ride to the floating market.

8. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market — Tasting Delicious Thai Food

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

Near Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is a small market close to Bangkok. It is famous for having all kinds of Thai food, including boat noodles, Thai curries, grilled seafood, and satay pork ribs. The food prices there are much lower than in restaurants in downtown Bangkok. Most tourists choose to visit both Taling Chan and Khlong Lat Mayom in one day.

• Location: 21 km from the downtown at 30/1 Moo 15, Bang Ramat Road, Khwaeng Bang Ramat, Khet Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170
• Open: 7am to 5pm from Saturday to Sunday
• How to get there: It's best to take a direct taxi there, which will cost you around 200 baht on one side.

9. Tha Kha Floating Market — A Less Crowded Market

Tha Kha Floating Market

Tha Kha Floating Market is a small market attracting fewer tourists. Most of the buyers are local Tha Kha natives who row their boats to the market. The elderly Thais sell vegetables, food, fruit, and drinks in their rowboats. There are very few foreign tourists there.

• Location: 60 km from downtown Bangkok at Tha Kha, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110
• Open: 6am–12pm from Saturday to Sunday
• How to get there: It's best to take the hour's taxi ride from downtown Bangkok.

10. Bangnoi Floating Market — A Good Place for Souvenirs and Seafood

Bangnoi Floating Market

Near Amphawa Floating Market, Bangnoi Floating Market is known for its souvenirs and seafood. It is a good place to buy souvenirs, including Thai handmade crafts, including Thai silk, clothes, bamboo ware, and more. The market is fairly small and less crowded than other big markets.

• Location: 85 km from Bangkok's center at Kradangnga, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram 75120
• Open: 6am–6pm, Saturdays and Sundays
• How to get there: Take a taxi there in about 1½ hours.

Travel Tips for Exploring Floating Markets

Here are some travel tips for visiting the floating markets in Bangkok, which can help you get the most out of your time.

• Try to visit the floating markets in the morning and get there early. The markets are not too crowded in the morning, and the food and fruits are fresher than in the afternoon.
• Haggling is acceptable in the floating markets. Like other inland markets of Thailand, haggling with the vendors is a common way to finish a transaction.
• Visit with a local tour guide or friend. A tour guide can help you a lot in finding and introducing the floating market, bargaining in a deal, and even help you find the interesting offbeat parts of the floating markets.

Why There Are So Many Floating Markets in Bangkok

In ancient times, the city of Bangkok was a jungle. The Chao Phraya River that runs through Bangkok played an important role in people's lives. Local farmers and vendors sold their products and goods to other regions and countries via the waterways, which reduced their costs in transportation. Although there are roads and modern ways of transportation today, many traders and vendors have retained this way of life on the canals of Bangkok.

Nowadays, most of the floating markets have become important tourist attractions, which attract domestic and international visitors to experience the ancient way of riverside shopping in Thailand.

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