Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market is located in the homonymous small town, formerly called Khwaeng Bang Chang, in the Samut Songkhran Province, 115 km away from Bangkok. This afternoon-only floating market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 until 20.00. It takes place along the waterfront walkways of Amphawa Canal, a small tributary of Mae Khlong River, near to a beautiful temple, Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, where also parking is provided. Amphawa is one of Bangkok's most popular floating markets, not as large as Damnoen Saduak but surely more authentic and closer to the true characteristics of the floating markets located in the Thai rural areas. The weekend market is always crowded; most of visitors are Thai nationals, many are local citizens but many are also Thai holidaymakers, coming here from capital to spend an afternoon among the food stalls located along the canal and in the narrow streets nearby packed with small shops. The shops along the street after the bridge over the canal are open every day of week; however it’s in the weekend that the market is lively, when the Amphawa Canal brims with boats loaded with drinks such as the O-Liang, the excellent Thai iced black coffee, and Thai street foods like fried sea mussels, noodles, and sweets. Among the most popular dishes are the skewers of shrimp or squid, shellfish and grilled fish. You can enjoy food walking through the stalls or standing on the bridge over the canal located in the centre of the market, privileged viewpoint from which you can take good pictures to wooden boats moored along the waterway. Along each side of the canal there are old charming wooden shops selling local crafts, T-shirts and all kinds of souvenirs. The visit to the market can continue on the road after the bridge, always congested with tourists, as well as hire a traditional long-tail at night to explore the surrounding canals and to watch as the pretty fireflies light up the air. The waterways are not as extensive and impressive as Bangkok's Khlongs but still funny. On the other side of Mae Khlong River is located the beautiful temple of Wat Bang Koong, this temple alone worth your trip up to Amphawa. Amphawa Floating Market is definitely the most attractive and true among the floating markets near Bangkok, it has retained its characteristic rural, only lately was discovered by foreign tourists that appreciate it for its authenticity.
Opening time: Amphawa Floating Market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 until 20.00.
Getting to Amphawa Floating Market: the market is located about 115 km south of Bangkok, and is easily reached by car or bus from the capital. Buses to Amphawa leave from the Sai Tai Taling Chan, the Southern Terminal in Bangkok, with departures every half hour, a two-hour trip for 60 THB. There is also a minibus service up to Amphawa Floating Market that departs from Victory Monument, just north of the Century Mall, with hourly departures, or around it, depending when the van is filled. The minibus fare is 100/120 THB one way and takes around 80 minutes without traffic. To reach market by car follow the Highway 35 for 63 km, drive through Samut Songkhram and then turn on Highway 325. At Km 36, turn on left toward the King Rama II Memorial Park, which is located just close to the market.Read More