Visiting the Thai floating market is considered a must-do in the journey to the Land of the Golden Temples. Each market will bring in its own characteristics, from sales methods, items for sale to culinary experiences. In particular, the floating market is also a place to preserve the typical cultural features of the Thai people, where people live and make a living in harmony with nature and rivers. So, which is best floating markets in Thailand and biggest floating markets in Thailand? Let’s check out our top rated 8 best floating markets in Thailand as follows!
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Joining us to take a look at the 8 most famous floating markets in Thailand and the things to note in this “river” journey through the following article.
Pattaya Floating Market (#best floating market in thailand)
Address: 451 304 หมู่ที่ 12 Sukhumvit Road, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Hours: 9 AM–8 PM
Pattaya Floating Market is one of the most famous Thai floating markets, located right on the river crossing Sukhumvit Pattaya. The market is also known as ‘Four Regions’ floating market, divided into 4 areas representing the Central, South, North and Northeast regions of Thailand which covering an area of 100,000 square meters. Each zone will sell typical products and cuisine of each region. Ticket price to the market is 200 Baht.
This is a floating market that is especially loved by international tourists when traveling to Pattaya, open from 9am to 8pm daily. The method of selling goods on the river here is extremely unique, small traders will sit on small boats containing goods, rowing everywhere in the area to invite customers to buy goods. Visitors just need to stand on the shore and wave their hands and a boat will stop by to introduce the product.
More interestingly, visitors can also rent a boat to go around the market, for about 300 Baht per trip. Besides, this Thai floating market also has many stalls, eateries, restaurants along the river, creating a bustling and bustling atmosphere. Coming to Pattaya floating market, you must definitely enjoy Thai specialties such as Thai salad, mango salad, Tom Yum, mango sticky rice…
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (#best floating markets in thailand)
Address: Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand
Hours: 8 AM–4 PM
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the oldest floating market in Thailand, located in Ratchaburi province, about 100 km from the center of Bangkok. The special thing about this market is that the market does not meet on the river, but on the interlaced canals. This place is known as “Shopping Paradise” with diverse items such as snacks, coconuts, durians, drinks, seasonal fruits…
As the most famous floating market in Thailand, Damnoen Saduak is always busy with boats moving back and forth. On the boat is a full range of items at extremely reasonable prices. In addition to shopping for goods, guests also go to Damnoen Saduak floating market to enjoy food. From specialties such as Pad Thai, Som Tam, grilled chicken to snacks such as mango ice cream, coconut ice cream are sold at the market.
The market operates from 6 am, this is the time frame when agricultural products and fruits are still the most complete and fresh. Around 8 am is the peak time, at this time the number of visitors to the market also starts to get more crowded. During peak hours, visitors can only stand on the shore and use poles to buy goods. Buying goods with a pole is considered one of the most interesting experiences at this market.
Taling Chan Floating Market (#best floating markets in thailand)
Address: 333 Chak Phra Rd, Khlong Chak Phra, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand
Hours: Saturday, Sunday: 7:30 AM–6 PM
Taling Chan is a Thai floating market that is familiar to both locals and international visitors. The market is located just a few kilometers from the center of Bangkok, meeting from 8 am daily. Compared to other floating markets, Taling Chan offers more new experiences thanks to its unique and varied trading method.
Small traders rowing along the river, on boats full of items such as fruits, food, water and even seafood. Almost all Thai specialties are available at this floating market. In particular, Som Tum made from blue crab, grilled shrimp, fish, chili and spices is the most famous. Dishes have prices ranging from 50 – 150 Baht.
Besides shopping and enjoying food, visitors can also rent a boat to visit the market, take pictures to check-in. The experience of going to Thailand’s floating market Taling Chan for you is not to go after 11am. Because at this time, the goods on the boat were gradually depleted, the dishes were no longer as fresh as in the early morning.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (#biggest floating market in thailand)
Address: 30/1 หมู่ที่ 15 Bang Ramat Rd, Bang Ramat, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand
Hours: 8 AM–5 PM/Thursday, Friday: Closed
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located about 20 km from the center of Bangkok, from Wongwian Yai to the Silom Line terminus. The market is open from 8am to 5pm daily, full of items from clothes, utensils, agricultural products to food. Although the scale is not too large, this market always attracts a large number of visitors to visit and shop, especially snack lovers.
Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market (#biggest floating markets in thailand)
Address: 98 Bang Nam Phueng, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan 10130, Thailand
Hours: Saturday, Sunday: 7:30 AM–4 PM
Bang Nam Phueng is a small floating market in Thailand, just a few kilometers east of Bangkok, on a winding stretch of the Chao Phraya River. Because it is a local market and is lesser-known to many tourists, Bang Nam Phueng has a very peaceful and simple look, different from floating markets like Pattaya or Khlong Lat Mayom.
The market is organized in the form of a riverside market, the stalls are mainly located on the shore, with boats parked along the river to serve travel needs. It sells a variety of items including food, utensils and souvenirs. In particular, cuisine is the most prominent feature of Bang Nam Pheung with delicious dishes such as Tom Yum, Pad Thai, grilled skewers, curry noodles, etc. The price of each dish is only from 30 Baht.
Amphawa Floating Market
Address: CXG3+2X5, Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand
Hours: Thursday: Open 24 hours/Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10 AM–9:30 PM/Others: Closed
Amphawa is also a name that often appears in Thai floating market reviews. This is Thailand’s second largest floating market, located in Amphawa, Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram, southwest of Bangkok. Taking a taxi from the center of Bangkok to Amphawa floating market will cost about 1500 Baht. The market is only open on 3 weekends, from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
The trading method of small traders here is quite unique. Small traders will row boats on the river to sell goods, customers can wave or pick up poles to receive goods. The goods sold at the market are extremely rich, full of clothes, accessories and souvenirs. The most famous must mention the fresh seafood, processed into attractive dishes such as roasted crab, grilled shrimp, spicy squid, oysters, snails …
Tha Kha Floating Market
Address: FXCV+PWJ, Tha Kha, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand
Hours: Saturday, Sunday: 6 AM–2 PM
Tha Kha Floating Market is located in Samut Songkhram province, only about an hour’s drive from Bangkok. Tha Kha is a bold local Thai floating market, a great place to learn about Thai culture and life. The market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekends. Although not too large in scale, Tha Kha floating market is still a destination that is especially loved by tourists.
The market is famous for local products such as coconut oil, coconut sugar and honey. Almost all the boats have these typical items for sale. Besides, visitors to Tha Kha floating market also have the opportunity to enjoy many delicious dishes of Samut Songkhram, such as Hoy Tod fried eggs, Toong tong, Ba mee moo noodles, Gai Ping grilled chicken skewers, Khao tom mad…
Ayutthaya Floating Market
Address: 65/19 Phai Ling, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Hours: 6 AM–6 PM
Ayutthaya Floating Market is located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, just 1 hour drive from the center of Bangkok. Coming to this famous Thai floating market, you will admire a simple and rustic beauty with boats, dark brown boats and traditional stilt houses along the artificial canal.
The market meets at 6 am, selling a variety of items, in which local cuisine is the most popular stall for tourists. The price of goods is quite affordable, dishes range from 30 – 150 Baht. In addition, the market also has experience activities such as taking a boat around the floating market for 20 Baht for 20 minutes, dance performances, plays introducing the history of Ayutthaya region.
Tips to going to Thailand’s floating market and some notes
Regardless of going to any floating market in Thailand, you also need to pocket yourself the following tips:
- Should bargain when buying goods or using services at the market.
- Choose comfortable clothes, convenient for traveling, avoid wearing high heels and prepare extra hats and sunscreen.
- Visitors should bargain when shopping at the Thai floating markets @shutterstock
- Pay attention to protect personal belongings and things, always wear a bag in front of your chest.
- Find out in advance about the items on sale at the market and their prices through field reviews.
- Find out the regulations at each market, especially for floating markets that collect tickets.
- It is not recommended to buy tickets through intermediaries to watch shows or experience activities in the market.
Visiting the floating market of Thailand is an interesting experience that you cannot ignore in your journey to discover the Land of the Golden Temples. Don’t forget to bookmark the list of famous and best floating markets in Thailand above and visit them in the nearest day!
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to
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