Some of the most Popular Floating Markets
in the Thonburi Province of Bangkok
Taling Chan Floating Market is one of several floating markets in the Thonburi Province of Bangkok. Just in case you’d like to visit this market, it’s located on the Khlong Chak Phra canal at the intersection of Chimphli and Chak Phra roads. And that’s in front of the district office there.
It’s a weekend market similar to that of Chatuchak, only on a bit smaller scale. Stalls erected along the road leading from the canal right up to the district office sell all sorts of handicrafts, ornaments and decorative plants. But I wouldn’t bother to buy any of these items here as you’ll find the same things much cheaper back in the city. Simply go there and take in the sights.
If you are looking for something to eat, well, that’s a whole different story altogether. You won’t have to go hungry here as there are plenty of ready-to-eat snacks available for you as well as hot meals which you can order directly from the vendors. And they cook the food on board little wooden boats next to the pier.
Getting to the Taling Chan Floating Market
This market is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm on weekends and public holidays. It is an extremely popular local venue, but it does, however, attract a fair amount of tourists, though not nearly as much as the floating market at Damnoen Saduak.
Expect this market to be a little less crowded. To get there, travel along the Pin Klao-Nakhon Chaisi Road, then turn left at Taling Chan Police Station onto Chimphli Road. After that, cross the railway line and follow the signs all the way to the district office. Okay, so I know that sounds like a mouth full but I said it anyway.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located in Bang Ramat Road along both sides of the Lat Mayom Canal in the Thonburi Province of Bangkok. If you like walking, there’s a marked walking trail through a coconut plantation which will allow you the opportunity to see and learn how locals work in their vegetable gardens.
At any time you can relax while having a bite to eat at the food stalls adjacent to the waterfront. The market is open on weekends and public holidays from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm.
To get there, drive along route 146 from the city centre to Kanchanaphisek Road. Once there, look out for the Samakom Chao Pak Tai Office, also known as the Association for the People of the South. From here it is a fifteen-minute drive along the Rod Fai-Wat Pu Theun route until you reach Bang Ramat Road. Okay, so that’s another mouth full, but you get my point now, don’t you!
Wat Sapan Floating Market
Wat Sapan Floating Market is one other open on weekends and public holidays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. If you’re driving from the Taling Chan Floating Market take Ratchaphruek Road thereafter make a U-turn at Charan Sanitwong Soi 13 and then a left turn onto the Paknam-Krajome Thong Road. Enough said.
Wat Sai Floating Market
Wat Sai Floating Market is located in the Thonburi area, south-west of Bangkok. There are not many boats here as most have been replaced with local shops selling stuff along the banks of the canal. The market is open daily from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
To get there, you’d need to hire a long-tail boat from either the Oriental Pier, Tha Chang Pier, Rachini Pier or Saphan Phut Pier.
These traditional floating markets first started to serve its own people, but soon became a tourist destination, and now thousands of visitors frequent them daily. I recommend that you go and visit at least one of these floating markets while you’re in Bangkok.
Just do it. It’s well worth the experience.
