Damnoen Saduak – Bangkok Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak is one of several colorful floating markets around Bangkok. It is utterly packed and lively and it attracts attention from tourists and passersby.

This place is surely a wonderland for avid shoppers because the floating boats loaded with different products add to the thrill of shopping.  The prices are more expensive at this floating market than in Bangkok though so unless you have exceptional bargaining skills you might want to save your shopping for later.

Damnoen Saduak is also known as Bangkok floating market. This Thai phrase means to “conveniently walk”. It is situated at Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi province which is about 105 kilometers from the bustling city of Bangkok.

In the year 1866, King Rama IV ordered that a canal be dug in order to connect the Meklong River to the Tacheen River. With the two interconnecting rivers, the soil near the canal has become very rich.

The fertile soil surrounding the canal has served as grounds for growing various fruits and vegetables. Hence, the market here grew over the past 100 years and up to now; the place caters to hundreds of buyers each day.

The fruits that are grown here include mangoes, bananas, Chinese grapefruits, coconuts and Malacca grapes. Other than fruits and vegetables, there are various goods sold here. You can find colorful toys and ready to wear garments, souvenirs, snacks and hot dishes, handicrafts and hats and various dresses.

The place is like a shopping center only that the things on sale can move from place to place on the water. You can rent a boat if you want to experience shopping on the water or you can just purchase from the edge.

The scene in this place is not the one you see every day. There is much activity in this Bangkok floating market. There also is a risk that the goods accidentally fall in the water. However, this seldom happens because the vendors here are used to the ripples on the canal.

Tourists must take extra care too especially when taking pictures while in the boat. Damnoen Saduak has become a usual scene on postcards because of its wonderful nature and picturesque market.

Although many consider it a tourist trap Damnoen Saduak floating market is still a nice place to spend a morning away from Bangkok. It can be done half a day, check out Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour.