Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is where the old world meets the new. Floating market is one of its features which is very appealing to visitors. For tourists, the places offer a very nostalgic view of long time before when Thailand’s waterways were the commercial centre for merchants with boats filled with supplies. The whole floating market experience in Bangkok is not just about shopping, it is an adventure into buy food and art as well as mingle with the people.
What Are Floating Markets?
Floating markets are vendors riding in boats with fruits, handcrafts or food generally also referred to as floating markets. Such a practice was existent hundred years ago and it includes the country’s use of rivers and canals in development as trade routes. Most of the areas are still functioning as the centers for local commerce although many floating markets now cater for tourists’ interests.
A floating market is actually less hectic and more pleasant unlike the normal activities in the streets of Bangkok. The markets are generally said to open early in the morning and closing at night. All the time while the market is open, and high volume of people both local and tourists will be busy haggling some price. From Thai authentic food to working arts, floating markets house different perspectives of Thai culture.
Breathtaking Boat Markets in Thailand
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
One of the most popular markets that people think when it comes to discussing the floating markets is Damnoen Saduak. Among the many floating markets in Thailand, Damnoen is about 100 km southwest of bangkok city which is a bustling market teeming with hues, commodities and camera clicks. This is probably the most visited for its picturesque views, boat trips and cheap shopping.
Other goods such as fresh fruits, native delicacies, or a steaming cup of noodles can be bought even while you are sitting inside your boat. Boats filled with souvenir, craft goods and clothes float through the canals to sell their wares. But Damnoen Saduak is definitely the most market whereby all the tourists visits hence you will find yourself paying more. Still, it’s a place one has to go to capture the floating market spirit.
Amphawa Floating Market
Particularly a tourist place, Amphawa is also a famous floating market which stands about 50 kilometers from the capital city of Bangkok. From the rooftop of the boats, tourists will find the Amphawa particularly pleasing and is quite different from the Damnoen Saduak market.
This marketplace is known for its seafood dishes, particularly grilled prawns, squid, and fish – dishes that have won Abala guests’ hearts. Many of the vendors are seen gladly preparing and grilling fresh seafood on top of their boats and stalling the delicious fishy smells in the air. At the sides of here, there are old wooden houses, which are part of the market resort in a very wonderful way. The market is best visited in the later parts of the day when the sun is setting and great activity on the market unfolds.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market which is near to the main shooting downtown Bangkok areas is also much smaller and less commercialized than Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa. This market is located eleven to twelve kilometres far from the city center, which is also good for very pressed schedule people or one wishing to have a more local feel.
Taling Chan is more peaceful, quieter, with fewer tourists and more emphasis on local food. You can sit on the wooden deck right on the water and order grilled fish, fill it up with a som tam with vegetables or other various Thai sea dishes. If you want to enjoy real Thai food while relaxing, this place can be for you as well as food lovers.
Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market
Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is a floating market that can be an ideal option for those who want to hibernate for some time. Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is situated inside the ‘Green Lung’ of Bangkok and is not so popular among the tourists. It is located in a greenish area besides the Chao Phraya River, where people can take time off from the busy city. Although it is not completely as the other markets as all found on water, it is still lacking the vendors on the water but has boat vendors and a lovely canal setting. This market is mostly famous for fresh fruits and ready to eat local snacks. This market is loaded with interesting things to physically take back such as Thai herbal products handwoven etc.
What to Expect at a Floating Market There,
Delicious Thai Street Food
the experience of talking to and feeding the curious animals was extremely pleasant. Delicious Thai Street Food A2 Four seasoned Thai food is an additional reason to visit the market. Every market experienced there is food including surely their signature dish like boat noodles kway teow reua pad Thai chili sticky rice coconut ice or fresh coconut juice. Of note is the grilled seafood that is available in abundance at Amphawa Taling Chan because of the special seating by the water with food being served by active kitchens in little boats.
Souvenir Shopping
Floating markets are also great places to buy cool, original, handmade items. You can get products ranging from beaded necklaces, wooden sculptures, silk of Thailand and clothes to take back. Don’t forget to bargain with the sellers as it is the custom though be polite while doing so.
Boat Tours
In almost all floating markets, whenever you wish to explore the canals, you can hire a boat. This gives a different view of the market, in addition to making it more real. One can enjoy a boat ride and approach with the vendors and when they enter the market from the waters the vendors can know how business has been done in the place for many years.
Local Life
Floating markets do not only serve one’s purchasing needs. People can see and understand the local lifestyle. Seeing vendors in their colorful dresses skillfully moving with their boats paying attention to their customers and selling the products is a part of one’s activity of those buy and sell in those markets for survival. The markets are also a perfect area to view the old Siam wooden houses and some temples along the water ways.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning and late afternoon are the best time to visit the floating markets of Bangkok. Day markets usually open as early as 6 Fansy is quite an active pass for the day, so it is a welcome break from the hot blaring sun. The peak seasons may not be the same as there is a decrease in population in most markets.
For example, if you want to visit during weekends, it should be noted that the best time to visit Amphawa is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings when there are a lot of shoppers.
Tips for Visiting
Arrive early: It is recommended to reach the market as early as possible to avoid the crowds and have a more enjoyable time since most people are still in bed.
Bring cash: Do not expect to use your credit card as most sellers only deal in cash whilst ATMs may be quite a distance from the markets. Ensure you have enough of Thai Baht to do the business and dine.
Dress comfortably: Best to dress up in light and loose fitting clothes and do pack a sun hat and lotion if you are going mostly out during the hot afternoons.
Engage in haggling cheerfully: Bargaining is part of the experience, do it, but always smile. It’s all in the game!
Look around: Let me add that some floating markets are located close… There’s the example of Amphawa with a popular fireflies watching site not far from it.
Conclusion
Bangkok’s floating markets represent a great diversity of experience with food, culture and people of the lands. Be it sampling mouth-watering street food, buying interesting trifles or going on a boat ride through the canals, a visit to Bangkok will be incomplete without paying a visit to one of these markets. Such diversity and historians and anthropologists encourage to visit more than one market to get the most of this thirsty feature of Thai life.