Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The Damnernsaduak floating market, or Damnoen Saduak (I'm not clear on the proper spelling) is an experience like no other. Though it's become somewhat touristy in recent years, this is a century-old authentic old water market through which you navigate on little private boat with a local guide (haggle a bit on the price and it's super cheap.) The boat will take you down rows of watery alleys lined by little wooden stalls hocking anything from fruits and veggies to local art, carvings and spices. It takes up to two hours to get there from Bangkok depending on traffic, and you're best to go very early, but it's a very cool experience.

Set up mainly as a tourist attraction, the market was traditionally for farmers, cooks, artisans and craftsmen to peddle their wares. You can still buy fresh produce and barbecue or noodles from the paddle-powered long boats run by the old women of the area, but the market is mainly stalls set up along the canals selling tourist-type souvenirs. It is mostly stuff you can buy in any number of places in Thailand, but there are occasional local crafts and stalls at which you can buy something unique. The people can be a bit pesky but as with anything in Thailand, if you don't want it, either ignore them or smile and say 'no'. You can barter: I managed around 20% off most things without too much hassle. A couple of hours will do this attraction for most people, and we combined it with a trip to the Maeklong Railway Market, which is a must-see. The best time to visit the floating market is 8am before the tour groups arrive. A boat will cost you about 700 baht for 1 hour for 2 people.

We've booked a half day trip from Bangkok to the market. When we arrived at the market it was clear that the main target are tourists.Therefore, the experience was not quite authentic. Hence, if you want a tourist attraction and want to buy the usual stuff you get at every other market as well, it might be worth going.

Enjoy a long tailed speed boat along the canal, and see the daily morning congregation of produce-laden boats as farmers and smallholders trade their goods.

The Damnernsaduak floating market, or Damnoen Saduak is an experience like no other. Though it's become somewhat touristy in recent years, this is a century-old authentic old water market through which you navigate on little private boat with a local guide (haggle a bit on the price and it's super cheap.) About 1 1/2 hours south of Bangkok you will find the hustle and bustle of these floating markets, all trying to sell you their merchandise, but what a great thing to experience. The boat will take you down rows of watery alleys lined by little wooden stalls hocking anything from fruits and veggies to local art, carvings and spices. It takes up to two hours to get there from Bangkok depending on traffic, and you're best to go very early, but it's a very cool experience. A real people watching experience and to get amongst it all was just fantastic.