Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province is one of the Thailand’s most famous attractions. Located 85 km west of Bangkok, the world-famous market is made for the consumption of tourists, a good replica of an oldest traditional floating market. The waterways have always had an important role in the history, culture and economic development of Thailand. Since ancient times of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, the first capitals of Siam Kingdom had been built along waterways, and the commerce was conducted mostly along rivers and canals, khlongs in Thai, the waterways were crowded by boats and barges and used as the principal means of communication. Damnoen Saduak is always crowded every morning of week, most of visitors are tourists but many are also Thai holidaymakers coming here from the surrounding areas and from Bangkok for shopping or just to spend a morning among various boats and stalls selling all kinds of goods, fresh fruit and street food. In the beginning the market was full of boat vendors reached the Khlong Damnoen Saduak for selling the product of their plantations. Currently, the goods sold are more varied similar to those that can be found in other typical Thai markets such as Chatuchak, including crafts, clothing, T-shirt, tiger balm and many more. Damnoen Saduak is also well known for the wide variety of food and drinks that can be found. Boats are overflowing of fruits and juice, Thai tea and O-Liang, the Thai iced black coffee, Kanom, Som Tam, Pad Thai, Kao Phad and Satay with an abundance of dishes that satisfy every taste, the smell of the food is persistent and following you throughout your tour. Damnoen Saduak is the most famous floating market for good reason, it is definitely the perfect place to take pictures and guarantees the experience of floating market although it isn't authentic as in many other Thai markets.
Opening time and notes: Damnoen Saduak is open daily from 6.00am to noon; however the most suitable time to be at market is between 08.00am and 10.00am. The central area is close to the road bridge and easily explored on foot. If you want to see all the three areas of the market, Ton Khem, Hia Kui, Khun Phithak, you can hire a boat, fare is about 300-400 THB per hour depending on your ability to bargain, or just walk on the passage along the khlong.
Getting to Damnoen Saduak: the market is located about 85 km west of Bangkok, and is easily reached by car or bus from the capital. Buses to Damnoen Saduak leave from the Sai Tai Taling Chan, the Southern Terminal, with departures every 40 minutes from 6.00 am. Fare is about 60 THB for a two-hour bus trip. The bus will drop you 1 km away from the central area, but still next to the Khlong Damnoen Saduak. To reach market by car follow the Highway 35 for 63 km, drive through Samut Songkhram and then turn on Highway 325, follow it for further 14 km, the market entrance will be on the left before reaching Thanarat Bridge.Read More