Floating Markets in Bangkok – A Must Experience Shopping and Dining Encounter

One of the most famous in Bangkok; this market has garnered even more fans since being highlighted in the Bond Movie. It is very tourist oriented but worth a visit. Your best bet would be to join a tour group as this will make sure you get a comprehensive scout of the market plus help with peaceful haggle free shopping. The place is, of course, a vibrant hub of chaotic madness, with canoes emerging from the other interconnecting canals. The local flavour and sights are quite fascinating and nothing will be more entertaining than the sights and activities of Damnoen Saduak Market. Open daily from 7 am to 11 am this market is quite close to Bangkok City.

This is Bangkok's second most popular floating market. The place is more authentic, still retaining traditional roots, unlike the touristy Damnoen Market. The market is open on Saturday and Sunday and should be visited early morning with the intention of leaving after lunch as the place tends to get quite crowded by late noon. Amphawa is located 50kms from the city and is a village believed to have been in existence since the 17th century. Look forward to loads of local flavour and of course the wide variety of food served from canoes parked along the banks of the river. The grilled seafood is a speciality at this market expanded onto the shores. Today seating is provided for visitors to sit by the banks of the river and dine from the parked boats.

This is a very localised market and one of the best for tourists to understand local culture around floating markets. Head over to the place early in the morning to witness monks arriving by boat; they gather at the market to collect tak baat which is the traditional alms round that feeds the monks. In addition, you can purchase a variety of farm fresh produce. The market is open from 4 am to 7 am every day and can be reached by taking a rented boat from Chang Pier; a point that's easily accessed from a Bangkok apartment hotel in the city centre. You can also hop in a tuk tuk or take the bus from popular areas like Sukhumvit, home to the best touristy entertainment and accommodation options like Adelphi Forty-Nine.

This is more a riverside market than a floating market. This is due to the fact that the few boats servicing this market are parked along the banks while the rest consists of stalls along the shore. It is however well worth a visit and quite unlike the other popular Damnoen and Amphawa markets.

Another market located close to Bangkok City Khlong Lat Mayom is a charming locale which one can enjoy free from the maddening rush of tourists. It is just 20 minutes from the city but far flung from the crowded and noisy precincts of other markets. Look forward to tree lined banks and charming little boutiques along the shores. The canal itself is not very crowded and quite pleasant to navigate.