The Best Floating Markets to Visit in Bangkok

The Best Floating Markets to Visit in Bangkok

A visit to Bangkok wouldn’t be complete without seeing at least one floating market.

And while many people heading for Bangkok might be expecting to happen across one on every other backstreet, most of the famous and touristy floating markets happen to be way out of the city itself.

And Bangkok doesn’t really have any floating markets anywhere near as established or renowned …or as worth visiting? Prime examples like Amphawa or Damnoen Saduak, which are 50-odd kilometres or more away from the capital,  are usually visted as part of a tour or a day trip.

Image by Renee Chediwy sourced from wikimedia commons

But if you are already in Bangkok, which just happens to have been formerly built on a network of canals, then it is highly unlikely in fact that there wouldn’t be anything by way of a floating market attended by boat traders somewhere.

The sights, colours, chaos, flavours and atmosphere make a Thai floating market a unique experience, so it is good to know that there are actually several floating markets around Bangkok, within reasonable, reachable distances.

Usually they are open all day, and the kind of places we aim to take a look at here could be the best floating markets in Bangkok, of which there are actually rather few.

Further away and separated by provinces, there are much more famous and tourist-attended floating markets, some of which have been featured in famous films. These places are way out in the provinces by comparison, and cannot really be considered as Bangkok floating markets at all.

Image by Miguel Conceição sourced from wikimedia commons

Because of the various locations of some of these places, the easiest way by far to see the famous floating markets in Bangkok is probably through an organized tour. This way, the entire planning and transport are taken care of and you are less likely to get lost, with more chance of just enjoying the experience.

Public transport to get to any of these places is limited, to say the least, unless it’s to Taling Chan market.  Multiple changes between BTS stations and buses should be anticipated,  and this is not always the easiest thing to pull off. You can always take the BTS or bus to the closest station/stop and then jump in a taxi.

1. Taling Chan Floating Market

As it is actually located just 12 km from central Bangkok, Taling Chan is actually within the perimeter of the capital.

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It is not too difficult to find or access and this market is open all day. It comprises just enough boats to qualify as an actual floating market, and there is a large local market attached to it.

Small long-tail boats cruise around the nearby khlongs (canals) and are one way to get interesting insights of the surrounding area. You can enjoy an excellent seafood lunch if you don’t mind sitting on the floor with the locals, and utilise the long-tail boats to do a bit of shopping and food tasting.

It can be a fun addition to your day trip, as you’ll be able to cruise past a few temples and take in the lifestyle and culture of the people living in the communities by the water, and possibly spot giant monitor lizards during the ride.

On weekends, there sometimes tends to be a group of Thai traditional musicians who play for a while, which adds a nice touch to the experience.

Being quite small and perhaps lacking the old-world charm that might be encountered in some of the more tourist-oriented and culturally-preserved markets out of the city, Taling Chan does have an authentic feel to it.

Image by globetrotter sourced from wikimedia commons

The entrance is not actually that well-designated due to a green plastic roof that seems to function as a shelter for plants and gardening implements. Once the entrance is found though and you find yourself in the midst of the market you will notice an atmosphere to savour – an authentic market atmosphere, with all kinds of sweets, fruits and fun snacks on offer.

Once past a small bridge, it is easy to notice the wooden boats along the riverbank. Many of the vendors in these boats are likely to be grilling seafood on small, home-made barbecues, while others are busy preparing som tum (papaya salad) for diners.

Those ordering or waiting for food sit at low, wooden platforms and tables. Most of these places are already at full capacity by around 11 am, with the central area being packed, and smaller crowds will continue forming and milling just past the first group of restaurants.

 If you are looking for something else to do after exploring the market, there’s always a foot massage under the trees. An hour-long massage costs around 200 baht and is a relaxing treat if you are used to that kind of thing.

Don’t overlook the obvious and make sure to bring cash when visiting Taling Chan Floating Market – obviously the vendors don’t accept cards and there are no ATMs within reasonable distance.

 Location: Village No 15, 30/1 Bang Ramat Rd, Bang Ramat, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand

Open: Saturday–Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm

2. Khlong Lat Mayom     

This is another small, local floating market located really close to Bangkok. In fact, it’s just near Taling Chan Floating Market, so it might be an idea to combine a trip to both markets on the same morning.

Image by Julia Maudin sourced from wikimedia commons

Lat Mayom is along a very similar vein in many ways to the previous floating market, although some areas of this one are actually on solid ground.

It’s another interesting opportunity to sample all kinds of fun sweets and fruits, but this place is anything but a major tourist attraction, so it again lacks anything like the size of the more famous ones. There might, for instance, be around 10 floating vendors at the most at this market, and the downside here is that there are no long-tail boat cruises around from which to explore the area.

3. Bang Phli

Bang Phli floating market has somehow managed to remain close to its roots, giving it an air of authenticity, which makes it a must-visit for the adventurous food-lovers and culture-seekers in Bangkok.

One the main highlights of this stretch of canal is that it is home to one of the oldest floating markets in Bangkok. Bang Phli Floating Market, at more than 150 years old, is one of the oldest markets in the city. It certainly pertains to a historical, native charm that makes it worth a visit.

Image by paolobor140 sourced from wikimedia commons

Bang Phli is known as one of the most traditional floating markets in Bangkok, and exemplifies a cultural ambience that provides an opportunity to get close-up with local Thais. It is just under 30 km from the city centre, so again this is an authentic Bangkok floating market.

This is also an authentic market geared towards serving locals, so there is a pleasing absence of tourist-inclined goods or logic. There is, however, definitely plenty of food around here. Indulge yourself while strolling along through the network of traditional, wooden, rows of houses that line the canals.

If you come here in the morning you are likely to witness the Buddhist monks who have to wade and paddle to accept alms from the local residents wishing to make merit.

What can also be found here are plentiful varieties of fresh local produce, local delicacies and snacks, clothes, and old-style kitchenware – but be prepared — as Bang Phli is largely geared towards locals, don’t be too surprised if you are paid little regard, or have to sign-language your way through a couple of interesting purchases.

WHERE: Address Sukhaphiban 3 Rd., Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bangkok 10540

HOW: To get to Bang Phli take the BTS Skytrain to the Bearing station, then take a taxi ride to Bang Phli.

WHEN: 8.00 am-5.00 pm

4. Kwan Riam Floating Market

This is another small, local, lesser-known floating market well within the 30 km of Bangkok central radius. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Rattanakosin era of Bangkok, and offers the opportunity to witness various aspects of local culture.

Various Thai cultural aspects such as the merit-making activity of offering food to monks can be seen here being done by boat at weekends, and it is common to see locals listening to the dharma of the monks and playing or watching Thai games along the canal as the backdrop to this small gathering of vendors.

WHERE: Situated between Soi Ramkhamhaeng 187 and Soi Saereethai 60 and is at a distance of 30 kilometers from Bangkok

WHEN: 7 AM – 6 PM (Sat-Sun)

 5. Wat Sai Floating Market

On a weekday, it is possible to find another floating market by way of visiting Wat Sai.

The stretch of canal vendors in and around the temple grounds has an interesting background in that it used to be something of a thriving local hub that was almost destroyed by development and new road construction. The floating market somehow survived, however, and these days it is doing business as never before.

It can take some time to get to Wat Sai Floating Market due to its particular location, depending on the time of day that this is attempted.

Address: Address: 58/229 เอกชัย 24 Khwaeng Bang Khun Thian, Khet Chom Thong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10150
Opening Hours: 5am-12am daily

6. Wat Sapan Floating Market

This is a little-known and somewhat unique floating market situated on the former grounds of an ancient Buddhist temple. Some of the remains of the ruins are still visible in the form of dilapidated statues and walls.

Wat Sapan is a small and relatively new market, and due to its location it could easily be included within the trip to Taling Chan and Khlong Lad Mayom. Maybe for lunch one of the local noodle soups in an earthen pot might do the job.

WHERE: 38 Pak Nam Krachom Thong Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phrom, Khet Taling Chan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10170
WHEN: 9am-3pm Sat, Sun, public holidays