Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Located about 2 hours south of Bangkok in Ratchaburi Province, the Damnoen Saduak market is one of the most popular floating markets in the Bangkok area and a major tourist destination. Although touristy, the market still offers the visitor a unique experience of the Thai market culture with hordes of boats offering anything from handicrafts to local fruits and vegetables and authentic Thai snacks and meals. Farmers and local vendors set up shop every morning to sell their goods along the canal. The Damnoen Saduak canal was constructed in 1866 as a waterway between the Ratchaburi and Samutsakhon provinces. The canal is used by locals as a source of water for their agriculture as well as a means of transportation.  

Once at the market, visitors can look for boat tours on both paddle boats and boats with engines. The boat paddler will take you through the market and typically charges by the hour. Paddling through the canal is best left to the experienced so that you can enjoy your surroundings and do your part to support the local economy. In addition to making stops at various vendors while on your tour, the temple, orchards and stilt houses along the canals are breathtaking and well worth the traffic jams you may experience as you travel through the market.

The district of Damnoen Saduak contains a population of under 100,000 and is about 100 kilometers south of Bangkok. In addition to the Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak has a cultural village nearby called the Rose Garden that offers traditional dance performances as well as martial arts showcases.     

Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok will take you to the market in just over two hours. The first bus leaves at 6 am. The market can be reached via Highway 4 as well as by train, though bus is the cheapest and best alternative.  Be sure to get there fairly early if you want a less crowded experience as many tour buses begin arriving in the later morning around 9 am.