discovering Thailand.... part 13 Bangkok -The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.......

Today we will be heading to the floating market outside Bangkok... We had an early start because our tour guide/driver told us we should be there very early to avoid the traffic of the city and.... the tourists going to see the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

One of the most visited tourist sites on the outskirts of Bangkok, is the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the original and most promoted floating market. It is located 110 kilometers from Bangkok in Rachaburi province.

Boasting of a vast range of fruits, vegetables, hand-crafted products, and tours that captivate thousands of tourists and locals annually, the floating market provides the ideal day-trip destination for both first-timers and return enthusiasts.

Getting to the floating market takes between 1 1/2  to 2 hours from Bangkok depending on the traffic conditions. I recommend to do this tour on a weekend rather than a weekday to avoid spending unnecessary amount of time in traffic. The cost of this floating market tour is 800 Baht per person... and the tour takes almost 2 hours on the river.

Day in and day out from about 8:00 am to about 11:00 am the Floating market is routinely crowded by hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. What they produce are mostly from their own orchards. They usually travel on their small rowing boats. However, today the long- tailed engine boats have become very popular.

The original canals which now make up the floating market were built in 1866 by His Majesty the King of Thailand to help ease the communication in the province. The actual floating market started in 1967 and thrives today with the hordes of tourists from all over the world.

Regardless of which day of the week travelers decide to visit, the ambience at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market will entice your senses from the moment you arrive. One of the most popular products for purchase is food. The floating market offers travelers a seemingly limitless array of food drink to choose from. There are also sit-down restaurants beside the canals of Damnoen Saduak.

However, for a traditional Thai experience, opt for the " open eateries " along the canal, which usually specializes in one or two dishes such as noodles or soups. You can order food from a boat merchant and enjoy.  Although the price is rather cheap, the food is  delectable.

There was even a man selling /showing off his pet snake.. and people would scream as they would get closer to him.

Some food photos for you!!!

Most people visiting the floating market are foreigners and Thai tourists, but it does offer visitors an excellent opportunity to see something different and take some great pictures of what is a true Thai icon. If you  haven't had breakfast... you can actually have your breakfast in the floating market.. Your boat will stop wherever you tell them to stop so you can buy food.

Most tours to the floating market include some side trips such as this visit to the Coconut Sugar House where you will see how the Thai's make sugar from coconuts.

On our way back from the floating market.. i saw some children  swimming in the river....

 and this HUGE LIZARD crossing our boat... The guide told us .. that this lizard is a delicacy in Thailand...

Perhaps the only question that remains is ---- IS IT WORTH SPENDING half a day minimum on a tour to this floating market?? what I would say is ... If you have enough time , and have looked at the pictures and feel it would be of interest then... DEFINITELY.. I recommend it!!

Have fun at the Floating market!!! It is worth the time spent going to DAMNOEN SADUAK floating market. I would recommend that you wear light clothes since the boat ride will be very warm...

SAWADEE KAA!!