Floating markets in Thailand are called “talad nam,” and they are the most photographed attractions in the country. If you are planning a trip to the "Land of Smiles", make sure to put Bangkok floating market on your list of things to do. Discover the most popular Bangkok floating markets that are a must-visit on a trip to Thailand. Choose the best floating market in Bangkok to visit.
When visiting Bangkok on the weekend, the choice of floating markets is much wider, as you can visit one of the floating markets closer to the city. However, on weekdays, your only good option is going to the most popular floating market in Thailand, Damnoen Saduak.
1. Damnoen Saduak - Most Popular Floating Market in Bangkok
If only weekdays are included in your stay in Bangkok but you still want to visit a floating market, going to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is your best choice. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most popular floating market in Thailand, but with the fame, the market lost part of its charm. Even if this floating market is tourist-oriented and very crowded, it is still a good place for taking some stunning pictures.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located about 110 km from central Bangkok. Getting there by public transport is complicated and time-consuming, so joining the tour on a half-day trip is the most convenient option. You won’t need to worry about transportation, and even a boat ride in the floating market will be included.
There are many tours from Bangkok that bring you to the most popular floating market in Thailand. Normally the tours vary by the size of the group (big group, small group, or private tour), duration (half-day or full-day), and other inclusions (some include boat rides, others do not, etc.). Make sure to compare several offers and choose the tour that suits your needs the best.
The most affordable tour to the floating market is this Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Guided Tour.
A visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market can be combined with another of Thailand’s iconic markets, Maeklong Railway Market, making it a perfect day trip from Bangkok. Combining these two popular markets into one trip is well worth it, as they are close to each other and quite far from Bangkok.
This combined Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market tour is the most popular day trip from Bangkok.
As Damnoen Saduak is one of the most popular tourist destinations around Bangkok, it can also be visited as part of a wider tour visiting Ayutthaya ancient temples, Dragon Temple, or King Power Mahanakhon.
2. Amphawa Floating Market
Even if Damnoen Saduak is the biggest and most famous floating market in Thailand, Amphawa Floating Market is more authentic and very popular with the locals for weekend shopping. The shopping experience at Amphawa Floating Market is much more local than at Damnoen Saduak, so it’s really worth visiting from Bangkok.
As Amphawa Floating Market is not far from Bangkok, it makes this place a popular weekend destination for both locals and tourists who like to come here and enjoy a relaxing Thai-style shopping atmosphere. If you are staying around Bangkok during the weekend, try to get out of the city and spend one evening at Amphawa Floating Market.
Discover Amphawa Floating Market together with Maeklong Railway Market on this Bangkok tour that also takes you to enjoy a firefly boat cruise and to visit Wat Bang Kung, a hidden temple wrapped in tree roots, just outside Bangkok.
3. Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market near Bangkok
Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is situated along the canal in Bang Nam Pheung, which is a small village not far from central Bangkok, located in Phra Pradaeng district in Samut Prakan province, on the other side of the Chao Praya River. This floating market is very popular with locals, and only a few tourists can be seen hanging around.
Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is quite big and has many interesting things to offer - delicious food, drinks, and snacks. You can find an area for music and souvenir shops there too, and you can delight yourself by buying local products such as coconut shells, clothes, woven handbags, handicrafts, etc.
This floating market can be visited independently or on the Bang Kachao E-Scooter Jungle Tour, as it is located in the area of the "Green Lung" of Bangkok.
4. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market in Bangkok
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is a great place to visit, as you can experience the real Thai-style floating market there. The market is located in the Taling Chan area, which is a little outside central Bangkok, but it’s really worth a visit.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market itself is big and offers a great atmosphere and a large variety of local authentic Thai food. The market is popular with locals who come here for food or shopping. You won't see many tourists here. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is more like a riverside market because the shops are located on the ground near the canal.
Experience an unforgettable weekend getaway at the local floating market, a captivating world brimming with vibrant canals, a mesmerizing orchid farm, and an array of tantalizing Thai delicacies on this private tour.
5. Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok
If your time in Bangkok is limited but you still want to experience real Thai shopping at one of the floating markets in Thailand, Taling Chan Floating Market can be an easy choice. We would suggest you visit it if you are staying in Bangkok on the weekend.
Taling Chan Floating Market is basically a small market with a handful of boats cooking food around it. A number of stalls selling household goods and clothing can be found here too, but most of the market is dedicated to food, and that’s a really good thing. Be sure to go there with an empty stomach and try all the delicious food.
When taking a customized private long-tail boat hire on the weekend, the floating market can be included in the itinerary.
6. Kwan Riam Floating Market in Bangkok
Kwan Riam Floating Market is one of the newest floating markets in Bangkok. Located on the outskirts of Bangkok, Kwan Riam is a good example of the modern Thai floating market. Kwan Riam Floating Market is a really charming place because of its location between two ancient temples, Wat Bamphen Nuea and Wat Bang Peng, on both banks of the San Saeb canal.
One of the highlights of Kwan Riam Floating Market is people offering alms to the monks in the early morning. People gather on the banks of the canal at 7.30am and give food to the monks passing by on the boat along the canal.
Kwan Riam Floating Market offers a good selection of food and shopping opportunities. Here you can find traditional Thai food, Isan food, Thai desserts, clothes, handmade bags, handmade crafts and household items, souvenirs, and much more.
