Floating Markets In & Around Bangkok You Have to Visit

The Amphawa Floating Market is located southwest of Bangkok where local vendors sell fresh seafood, Thai drinks and desserts, clothing and souvenir items. It is among the oldest floating markets in Bangkok and is famous for its relaxed shopping environment. The unique appeal of the Amphawa floating market is that it is open well into the night when it lights up with the riverside shop lights.

Timings - Friday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Closed from Monday to Thursday
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Longtail Boat Cruise, Firefly Night Cruise, Souvenir Shopping, Cycling Tour, Authentic Thai Food
Best Time to Visit - After 2 PM
Distance from Bangkok - 50km

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is among the most popular floating markets in the world. Over one hundred years old, this market is Thailand's most famous floating market. James Bond fans will recognize it as part of certain scenes from the 'Man with the Golden Gun'.  It incorporates three small markets, namely Khun Phitak, Ton Khem, and Hia Kui. Situated on Khlong Damnoen Saduak, Ton Khem is the largest of the three markets.

Timings - 7 AM to 12 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Longtail Boat Cruise, Colourful Photo-op, Thai Food and Desserts, Souvenir Shopping
Best Time to Visit - Early Morning
Distance from Bangkok - 100km

Don Wai Floating Market started in the early parts of the 20th century mainly as a hub for pomelo and jackfruit traders. The market today still continues to be a local market rather than a tourist attraction. This market is also not fully a floating market, being located on the riverbank and the boats mainly used to transport people and produce. It is one of the best floating markets in Bangkok to buy fresh seasonal fruits.

Timings -  8 AM to 5 PM (Monday-Friday), 8 AM to 6:30 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekday Market
Highlights - Thai Food, Thai Shophouses, Cheap Boat Ride
Distance from Bangkok - 25km from Central Bangkok

Located close to Bangkok and Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is one of the newer floating markets in Bangkok. It was primarily opened to cater to the needs of locals rather than for tourism and prides itself in selling high-quality local produce and sweets. There are also shops that sell stationary mainly for kids.

Timings - 8 AM to 5 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Thai Food and Desserts, Boat Tour
Best Time to Visit - Early Morning
Distance from Bangkok - 10km east of downtown Bangkok

Adjacent to its namesake temple, Lam Phaya Floating Market lies on the Thajeen River. Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM, this countryside food market has two sections - one on land and another with lined-up floating docks. Local vendors sell potted plants, farm produces like fruits, vegetables and fish, Thai fare and delicious curries for takeaway.

Divided into two sections by Wat Bamphen Nuea and Banpheng Tai temples, Khwan Riam Floating Market is the newest food market in Central Bangkok, where colorful traditional boats sell noodles, rice, Thai desserts, and Isan cuisine. Open from 7 AM to 9 AM on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the market has a scenic wood bridge and water buffaloes you can ride.

Taling Chan Floating Market is one of Bangkok's more easily accessible floating markets. Around an hour and a half bus ride from downtown Bangkok, this floating market retains its charm due to the lack of heavy tourism. The Taling Floating Market is a 6-boat arena. Local musicians enhance the overall floating market ambiance with traditional Thai music. The freshly prepared seafood is one of the Taling Chan Floating Market's highlights.

Timings - 8 AM to 5 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Thai Food and Desserts, Longtail Boat Tour
Best Time to Visit - 11 AM - 2 PM for the Thai band
Distance from Bangkok - 12km from downtown Bangkok

One of the newer floating markets in Bangkok, Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is on the smaller side among the floating markets. Located on a canal which feeds into the Chao Phraya river, it is reachable via a bus ride or taxi from central Bangkok or a ferry ride from Sukhumvit road which is the cheapest option of the three. This floating market is not very tourist-centric and does not host many vendors either. Mainly known for Thai food and sweetmeats, you can also indulge yourself in some reasonably priced massages and locally made health products.

Timings - 8 AM to 2 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Thai Desserts, Longtail Boat Tour
Best Time to Visit - Early morning
Distance from Bangkok - 15km southeast from Central Bangkok

About an hour to an hour and a half hours worth of drive away from central Bangkok, Tha Kha Floating Market is on the complete opposite spectrum from its nearby sibling the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Arguably one of the most authentic Bangkok floating markets, it caters to mostly locals with tourists being an uncommon sight. Set along a rural klorng (canal) and characterised by a canopy of coconut trees on one side and rustic wooden homes on the other, this market is mainly run by old Thai locals selling fresh produce and food. Local homemade Thai sweetmeats are a must-try for tourists here.

Timings - 6 AM to 3 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Canal Boat Ride, Row Boat Ride, Authentic Thai Cultural Experience
Best Time to Visit - Morning
Distance from Bangkok - 80km from Central Bangkok

Inspite of being close to Amphawa Floating Market, Bang Noi Floating Market does not nearly see as much footfall as the former. This market has a laid back vibe to it which caters to mainly locals and few tourists who are in the search for a really rustic experience of creaking wooden walk-boards and riverside homestays and diners. Bang Noi Floating Market is open on the weekends and is crowded as soon as it opens in the early hours of the day. Those with enough patience are likely to find some interesting souvenirs to take back home from this market.

Timings - 7 AM to Late afternoon (Saturday-Sunday)
Type of Market - Weekend Market
Highlights - Thai Food, Souvenir Shopping
Best Time to Visit - Early Morning
Distance from Bangkok - 90km from Central Bangkok

One of the older floating markets in Bangkok, Wat Sai floating market was shut down for a while due to the expanding infrastructure of the city. But it is now gaining back some of its former charm and visitors. The first thing one will notice are the multiple food stands selling Thai delicacies with the stalls filled to the brim with fresh vegetables and fruit coming a close second.

Timings - 8 AM to 10 AM (All Days)
Type of Market - Weekday Market
Highlights - Thai Handicrafts
Distance from Bangkok - 15km from Central Bangkok

Although more on the lines of wooden shop houses along and within the canal than a floating market, the Bang Phli floating market in Bangkok has boats which ferry locals and tourists through the shops. The market is relatively easy and cheap to reach by BTS, taxi or a boat ride along the canals of Bangkok. The vendors mainly sell local produce and affordable, delectable Thai food. Learning some Thai is recommended as the locals are not very fluent in English. October is a great time to visit this market during Rab Bua or the lotus throwing festival in Bang Phli district, as locals line up along the canal to throw fresh lotuses during the boat parade.

Timings: 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Type of Market - Weekday Market
Highlights - Authentic Thai Food, Cultural Ambience
Best Time to Visit - Around Noon
Distance from Bangkok - 30km from Central Bangkok