Located at Ratchaburi Province, Damnoen Saduak
District, about 105 kms southwest from Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating
Market is a showcase of traditional way of selling and buying foods from small
boats. The colorfully clad merchants paddle along the congested canals in
sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the
banks. Bargaining is common, but don't expect the price down more than a few
baht.
The buzzing market is at its best in the early morning before the crowds arrive
and the heat of the day builds up. Bearing in mind that it's about 1.5 hrs
driving distance from the capital city... and the idea of waking up at the wee
hours of the morning on my vacation made this day-trip tour doesn't appeal much
to me in the first place. Not to mention I had to reach deep my pocket for THB
600 fee. I was on vacation and I supposed vacation means sleeping to my
content... not having to stand-by at Rex Hotel (where we bought the day-trip
tour package) by 6 am. However the thought of spending time and having fun with
my travel mates made me change my mind... and I think it all paid off as shown
in the pictures, didn't it? Great pics... great laugh... and great memories
with great friends.
Enjoy!!!
Package Rate: THB 700 each for a group of 7-8 persons.
Tour Itinerary:
06.00 am: Pick-up from Sukhumvit Road at Rex Hotel Lobby.
07.00 am: Depart from Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
09.00 am: Arriving at the jetty pier and take a long-tailed motorised boat ride
to the floating market.
09.30 am: Hop in a small rowing boat and have a fun ride along the canals.
12.00 noon: Depart for an elephant ride and woodcarving center nearby.
14.00 pm: Watch the Cobra Show.
15.30 pm: Depart for Bangkok.
Price includes:
Pick-up from hotel at Downtown Bangkok, driver, aircon van, English-speaking
guide, and a long-tailed boat to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Excludes:
Payment for the paddle boat ride around the floating market, the elephant ride
and the entrance to the Cobra Show.
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
Arrived at jetty pier by 9 am and took a
long-tailed boat ride along the river and canals. You can observe the daily
life of locals along the trip before arriving at the floating market.
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
Tourists will also see traditional Thai houses
and the way they live and travel by boats.
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| long-tailed boat |
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| On The Way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
Damnoen Saduak is a man-made canal built by
King Rama IV over a hundred years ago and connects the two main rivers in
Thailand - Tha Chin River in Samut Somkram Province and Mae Klong River in
Samut Songkarn Province. Literally means "travel conveniently"
(damnern=travel, saduak=conveniently), Damnoen Saduak was a significant
transport route among the locals ini 3 districts - Ratchaburi, Samut Somkram,
Samut Songkarn. But it was not until 1967 that the floating market of Damnoen
Saduak was known to the outside world.
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| Welcome to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
By 9.30 am arrived at the market and found the
fascinating scene of boats in various sizes and local vendors selling foods and
local products on theor boats. We decided to hire a small rowing boat for 5
people to tour along the canal. Optional at THB 100 per person or THB 500 per
boat.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
It was my first time to visit a floating
market. Some says it's the biggest tourist trap, but actually it can work to
your advantage. At Damnoen Saduak, there are so many boat vendors that is a
feast to your eyes almost in every direction you look. Of course it's now
exclusively set up for tourists. But if you look beyond this, you will get not
only some beautiful postcard pictures, but also a cultural experience of life
in Thailand a hundred years ago.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
While you are at the market, you must have a
bite of Mango with Sticky Rice for THB 30. Extremely yummy. A must try.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
Food is a staple around the market. There is
no need to bargain to get it at a cheaper price because it is priced
accordingly.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Pollution... Anyone? |
Canoe with motor definitely ruins the
authenticity of the market. Change does come but in this case, faster is not
better.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Oh What Fun It Is to Ride... |
It was a 1.5 hours boat ride where we got
paddled up and down the market. The boat could sit all of us (5 adults) very
comfortably, with ample space for all our stuffs, and food/drinks/purchases we
got along our ride.
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Rows of Souvenir Shops |
Prices in the market are much higher than in
Bangkok, but it is an interesting place to see.
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| Rows of Souvenir Shops |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Boat Jam |
The floating market at 10.30 am.
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| Boat Jam |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
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| The Happy Faces |
At the end we left at around noon, and were
really glad we came for this unique experience. Oh, what an EXPERIEEEEEENCE!
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| Souvenir |
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