Amphawa

Why Amphawa is special ?

Amphawa, 63km west of Bangkok, makes a popular day trip destination. It is home to a quaint floating market which cuts through Khlong (canal) Amphawa and a small community of vintage cafés, restaurants and wooden shop-houses selling artsy souvenirs, books and Thai sweets. Vendor boats park along the two canal banks, ready to whip up a bowl of ‘boat noodles’, rice porridge, even grilled squid and river prawns, to order. Here, long-tail boats leave at regular intervals for a two-hour scenic tour of the Mae Klong, dotted with stilt houses, fruit orchards and temples.

Besides the floating market, Amphawa’s picturesque riverside scenery, laid-back ambience reminiscent of a bygone era and a lineup of waterfront boutique guesthouses lie at the heart of its enduring popularity. For most visitors, a trip to Amphawa is a welcome break and an experience that often leads to repeat visits.

Source :http://www.thaiwave.com/ )

What to explore at Amphawa?

Amphawa Attractions

Amphawa is synonymous with Amphawa Floating Market and the shop-houses flanking Khlong Amphawa as well as lining the narrow sois (lanes) surrounding it. Contrary to other floating markets in the area, Amphawa Floating Market convenes in the afternoon, from 15:00 onwards (Fri-Sun only). But it’s a good idea to arrive in the morning to avoid the crowds and to stroll around the shop-houses and other parts of the market.

Nearby, the museum of Thai desserts (Fri-Sun 13:00-19:00) is a good place to get to know all the strange-looking sweets you will see at the floating market. If the idea of a temple tour sounds good, then join a long-tail boat tour (two hrs, depart at the floating market). Be sure to ask for a visit to Wat Bang Kung, where a mysterious-looking chapel covered by giant Bhodi tree trunks and roots, is not to be missed.

Amphawa Dining

Food is the main reason holidaymakers from Bangkok visit Amphawa Floating Market. From boat vendors to shop-house eateries, all kinds of tantalising tastes, shapes and smells will tempt you. Phad Thai served in a banana leaf ‘bowl’, rare and delicate-looking sweets that you’d rather keep as souvenirs and boat noodles whipped up and served from a wooden row boat all evoke a nostalgic feel. Grilled seafood is also hugely popular as are a simple bowl of noodles, pan-fried turnip cake, or fried oyster omelet.

Amphawa Nightlife

Nightlife in Amphawa means chilling out at your guesthouse or resort’s riverfront balcony, with a beer or cocktail. You can also arrange for a boat trip along the Mae Klong to watch the fireflies. Other than these two activities, nighttime generally is nap time here.

Amphawa Shopping

Flanking the two sides of Khlong Amphawa, wooden shop-houses feature all kinds of souvenirs and collectibles imaginable, whether books, wooden toys, postcards, fisherman’s pants, T-shirts, hats, handmade jewelry, sweets and much more. In a way, it’s like shopping at a retro outdoor market in Bangkok or Pai Walking Street (in Mae Hong Son), where you can still find quality handmade items. Over the concrete bridge, the narrow soi (lane) leads to more shop-houses selling mostly snacks and Thai desserts.

Amphawa Shopping

Flanking the two sides of Khlong Amphawa, wooden shop-houses feature all kinds of souvenirs and collectibles imaginable, whether books, wooden toys, postcards, fisherman’s pants, T-shirts, hats, handmade jewelry, sweets and much more. In a way, it’s like shopping at a retro outdoor market in Bangkok or Pai Walking Street (in Mae Hong Son), where you can still find quality handmade items. Over the concrete bridge, the narrow soi (lane) leads to more shop-houses selling mostly snacks and Thai desserts.

Source :http://www.thaiwave.com/

How to get to Amphawa?

- Most visitors come to Amphawa on a day-trip from Bangkok. One-way trips can be purchased for 80 baht from the minibus station near Victory Monument, just north of the Century Mall. The journey will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes without traffic. Departure times are roughly hourly, but depend mostly on when the bus is filled. Return trips may be purchased in Amphawa. Be aware that 1) tickets back to Bangkok will sell out 1-2 hours ahead of the official departure time, and 2) your ticket's departure time is not likely to be your actual departure time, since there is frequently traffic in the afternoons and the bus from Bangkok may be delayed by up to an hour. Don't mark yourself as the stereotypical rude Westerner by making a scene and trying to cram yourself onto an earlier bus.

- Another way is to take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal might be a safer option but you have to take the bus to Samut Songkhram first and switch onto a songthaew or bus heading for Amphawa. Ask the locals, as buses are only signed in Thai and songthaews don't have any signs at all. The ride will take about 15 minutes and it is obvious where to get off. As at Dec 2014, some blue songteows go to and from here, and have Amphawa in English on the side.

Source: http://wikitravel.org/