Floating Markets / Chao Phraya River &
Canal Trips
For those who want to be amid the peaceful atmosphere and observe the traditional
ways of life by the water, Bangkok has quite a lot to offer. The easiest
way is taking a Chao Phraya River express boat. There are also several canal
routes by long-tail boat which offer more charming scenery with stops at
old temples which are scattered along all canals.
Floating
Markets
There are several floating markets on various canals in Bangkok and other
nearby provinces, of which the most well-known ones are:
1. Damnoen
Saduak Floating Market
This large and
popular floating market is about 80 km southwest of Bangkok
in Ratchaburi province. Photos of this vibrant market featuring
many small boats laden with colourful fruits and vegetables
and paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats, are among the
most often published in travel
magazines and brochures of Thailand. The Damnoen Saduak canal was
ordered to be built in 1866 by King Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty
to facilitate waterborne travels between Ratchaburi and Samutsakhon
Provinces. It was finished and opened to the public in 1868.
Nowadays, apart from providing transportation, Damnoen Saduak canal
also provides local farmers with adequate water for agricultural purposes.
A number of canals were dug to connect with it by local peasants to
get water to splatter their land. As the excellent quality soil along
the canal is very fertile, the area has a high potential for producing
various kinds of fruits and vegetables.
The Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors
and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying
agricultural products and local food, which are mostly brought from
their own nearby orchards. Therefore, it is a very attractive place
for tourists to see this old style and traditional way of selling
and buying goods.
Around
this area, boat trip services are available for sightseeing along
smaller canals branching off from the Damnoen Saduak canal. Visitors
can observe Thai traditional houses and the way they live as well
as tasting exotic fruits, local food and refreshing drinks along
the waterway.
There are bus services to Damnoen Saduak from the Southern Bus Terminal
on Borommarat Chachonnani Road starting at 6 a.m. You'd better get
there as early in the morning as possible to escape a crowd of visitors.
If you want to visit this place with
a travel agent, please click
here.
2.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling
Chan Floating Market possesses its endless attraction to Thais and
foreigners alike. The life of the residents by the Chakphra Canal
still retains the atmosphere and style of true nature reflecting the
attachment to the river of the capital dellers. This market, which
operates on Saturdays and Sundays 09.00 -17.00 only, is located in
front of the Taling Chan District Office in the west of Bangkok. The
market is accessible by air-con bus No. 79. After visiting the market,
long-tail boat trips along the canals are available.
By taking a weekend boat tour, you can feel a shady and restful atmosphere
as well as experience the natural surroundings and Thai ways of life
along the canals that still remain their traditional charm. Also you
can enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Preservation Orchard, an orchid
garden, or a botanical garden, which includes various kinds of flowering
and ornamental plants. Besides, from the market, there is also a guided
boat tour of Thonburi Snake Farm which operates every Sunday. The
fares are 120 baht for an adult and 60 baht for a child.
What
is worth special mentioning is to visit the Preservation Orchard
which distributes low-cost fruit trees to tourists. This garden
differs from others in that it is the first garden established
by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to preserve the original
fruits of Taling Chan district for the future generations.
Further in-depth experience can be gained by trying distinct
dishes from food stalls on the rafts along the canal as well
as on both sides of the way to the canal. One recommended
item is the "Boat Noodles". It is one of the famous
Thai dishes, not only for its excellent taste but also for
the scrumptiousness of a seasoning called "chilli",
which is a Thai way of life in every household.
And also don't forget to finish with selective desserts starting from
Luk Chub Thongyip and Thongyod, which have been a manifestation of
Thai intelligence since the prehistory. All goods sold in the market
perfectly indicate the abundance of products in this area such as
fruits and flowers, especially orchids in various colours and shapes.
If you want to visit this place with a travel
agent, please click
here. Top
3.
Wat Sai Floating Market
This place in the southwest of Bangkok used to be famous, but now
most of the boats have been replaced by shops on the banks of the
canal. To get there, hire a long-tail boat that leaves the Oriental
Pier, Tha Chang Pier, Rachini Pier or Saphan Phut Pier. (06.00-14.00
hrs.) The fare must be agreed before departure.
Note : It is advisable to join a package tour for your convenience. Top
Chao Phraya River Express Boat Trip (Bangkok
- Nonthaburi)
Chao Phraya River
Express boat
The easiest and cheapest way to observe
the way of life along the Chao Phraya River is by boarding a Chao
Phraya River express boat. The route starts at Wat Ratchasingkhon
Pier near Krungthep Bridge and ends at the pier of Nonthaburi (a province
north of Bangkok).
Major landing piers are Sathon, Si Phraya, Chang, and Wang Lang piers.
While travelling along the Chao Phraya River, you will see many splendid
temples and attractive buildings, for example, the Royal Thai Navy
Dockyard, the Thai Maritime Navigation Company, the Old Customs House,
Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Wat Rakhang.
The whole trip takes about 1.30 hours. The fares for a standard express
boat trip are from 5 to 16 baht, depending on the distance. The boats leave
the terminals every 15 minutes from 6.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily. Special
express boats, symbolized by yellow, red and orange flags, stop at major
piers only and the fares are 15 for the yellow and 10 baht for the red and
orange ones.
These special express boats operate only during rush hours -- 6.00 - 9.00
a.m. and 3.00 - 6.00 p.m. Top
Canal
(Khlong) Trips
1. Trip along Khlong Bangkok Noi & Khlong
Bang Yai
A boat service for this relaxing route departs from Tha Chang Pier
many times daily. It takes about an hour to reach Bang Yai, a district
in Nonthaburi. The following are some leading attractions along Bangkok
Noi canal mostly comprise old temples. The Royal Barges Museum
is a dockyard for royal barges used in ceremonial processions. Among
the most magnificent are the Suphannahong and the Narayana Songsuban.
Wat (temple) Suwannaram is an ancient temple erected in the
Ayutthaya period. It is noted for its magnificent murals painted in
the reign of King Rama III. Wat Sisudaram is a temple where
Sunthon Phu, a famous Thai poet who was designated by UNESCO as a
classic poet of the world, used to stay in his childhood. Besides
the monument to the poet, the multipurpose hall built in the Ayutthaya
period is still well-preserved. Wat Nairong boasts murals depicting
episodes of the ten previous lives of the Lord Buddha on the walls
of its ordination hall. Wat Phaowana Phirataram The highlight
of the temple, erected in the reign of King Rama V, is its multipurpose
hall built in the traditional Thai style.
2.
Trip along Khlong Dao Khanong - Khlong Bangkok Yai - Khlong
Bang Chuak Nang
Visitors who want to explore this route can rent a boat from Tha Chang
Pier. Some attractions along this route are: Wat Sai Floating Market,
Snake Farm, Wat Pak Nam, Wat Ko and Taling Chan Floating Market. There
are tour programs to other small canals on Thon Buri side, but they
are not regular routes and you need to hire a long-tail boat at one
of the pier. The standard fare is 400 baht per hour. Prices can be
negotiated (before travelling). The major piers for hired boats are
Tha Chang, Tha Saphan Phut (Memorial Bridge Pier), Tha Si Phraya and
River City. Top
Trip
along the Chao Phraya River to Ayutthaya
A number of cruise companies in Bangkok operate trips to Ayutthaya along
the Chao Phraya River. As most companies are affiliated with riverside hotels,
the boats depart from the hotels' piers. Normally the trips include visits
to the Royal Folk Arts and Handicrafts Center in Bang Sai and Bang Pa-in
Palace. There are also express boats sailing to Ayutthaya from Tha Maharat
and Tha Chang piers near the Grand Palace every Sunday. Top
For your personal safety and protection
by law, please use the services of travel agencies holding a TAT license
only.
Around
this area, boat trip services are available for sightseeing along
smaller canals branching off from the Damnoen Saduak canal. Visitors
can observe Thai traditional houses and the way they live as well
as tasting exotic fruits, local food and refreshing drinks along
the waterway.
Taling
Chan Floating Market possesses its endless attraction to Thais and
foreigners alike. The life of the residents by the Chakphra Canal
still retains the atmosphere and style of true nature reflecting the
attachment to the river of the capital dellers. This market, which
operates on Saturdays and Sundays 09.00 -17.00 only, is located in
front of the Taling Chan District Office in the west of Bangkok. The
market is accessible by air-con bus No. 79. After visiting the market,
long-tail boat trips along the canals are available.
What
is worth special mentioning is to visit the Preservation Orchard
which distributes low-cost fruit trees to tourists. This garden
differs from others in that it is the first garden established
by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to preserve the original
fruits of Taling Chan district for the future generations.
