Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a vibrant cultural hub in Bangkok, offers a glimpse into traditional Thai life. Famous for its colorful boats and bustling atmosphere, guests can get a taste of the local delicacies while exploring narrow waterways filled with long boats of vendors selling a variety of handicrafts and fresh fruits.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market pulses with energy, color, and noise. The canals are filled with wooden boats piled high with fresh produce, street food, handmade bamboo hats, keychains, and traditional clothes. The air is thick with the scents of sizzling street food and the chatter of vendors bargaining with customers. The chaos of the market coupled with the aroma of freshly cooked noodles and seafood attracts visitors from all over the world to navigate the crowded waterways and take in the sights and sounds of traditional Thai commerce.
The Damnoen Saduak Canal was constructed between 1866 and 1888 under the orders of King Rama IV to connect the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers. After the construction, several markets emerged on the canal and the residents built 200 ancillary canals. The main floating market was called Lad Plee Market and remained active till 1967 when roads replaced it. In 1971, the Tourism Authority of Thailand revived the Lad Plee Market and made it a tourist attraction. A decade later, a new road was built to Ton Canal and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market was established by private businesspersons on this canal.
The market opens at 7 am and closes at 5 pm every day. It is open throughout the year.
The ideal time to visit would be between 7 am and 9 am before the tourist buses arrive to steer clear of crowds.
Parts of the market are wheelchair accessible but it would be difficult for guests with mobility issues and disabilities to navigate the narrow lanes of the market.
The most popular dishes at the market are boat noodles, pad thai, coconut ice cream, and mango and sticky rice.
Yes, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is family-friendly, and children will enjoy the lively atmosphere with hawkers selling their wares, boat rides, and colorful sights.
You can go on a boat ride for around 45 minutes and explore the intricate canals of the market. You can shop for handmade hats, bags, keychains, and other handicrafts. Taste rare fruits like durian, lychees, and mangosteen along with street foods like boat noodles, mango sticky rice, and flavorful pad thai with a lot of peanuts.
You can buy local handicrafts like hats and vases, fresh fruits, and seafood from the market.
Most vendors prefer cash payments so carry sufficient loose change.
The market has restrooms, parking spaces, souvenir shops, and tourist information booths.
Yes, you can but remember to be respectful about it. Learn a phrase or two in Thai to help your negotiating skills!
