Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour

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. Damnoen Saduak is open from 6.00 am to noon; however the most suitable time to be at market is between 08.00 and 10.00 am. 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.
What to Expect - There are many operators offer excursions to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market as well as there is a great selection of one-day and half-day tours to choose from. The half-day excursions provide only the visit to the world-famous market; the one-day tours also include a visit to other attractions near or inside Bangkok in the afternoon, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo, the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom or the Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Clearly the prices are a lot different from each other, depending on the option chosen and quality of services. A half-day excursion to Damnoen Saduak can cost between 800 to 1,500 THB, depending on whether the tour includes a simple paddleboat ride & stroll around the market or offers an exhilarating ride in a traditional Thai long-tailed speedboat; in addition there are also more customized and exclusive tours which cost over 2,000 THB. Regardless of price, all excursions include the round-trip travel by air-conditioned coach or minibus from your Bangkok hotel with departure early in the morning, normally between 6.15 and 7.00 am, tour guide and insurance, meals are never included. The return to your hotel, or Khao San Road area in case of cheaper excursion, is expected to 13:30 - 14.00 pm. The full day excursion can cost between 1,400 to 2,700 THB, depending on where you want to spend your time in the afternoon, and it includes a Thai lunch in addition to the round-trip from your hotel, tour guide and insurance. Departure is early in the morning, normally between 6.15 and 7.00 am, and the return is late in the afternoon.Read More