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Best Bangkok Floating Markets
Floating market visit is one of the experiences that all first time travelers put on their itinerary when planning to visit Bangkok, Thailand. The market offers unique experience for both local and international travelers. In and around Bangkok, there are many of them for you to put on your itinerary and they’re all good and unique in their own way. However, which one is the best Bangkok floating markets for one day tour? From our tour guide experience and local perspective, Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, and Kwan-Riam Floating Market would be our choices.
Khlong Lad Mayom
The floating market is the number one on our list. Our primary reasons why it’s good for one day tour are because of its easy access and location.
Boat vendors at Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market
Easy access
International tourists who are visiting Bangkok for the first time and not yet familiar with Bangkok transports can easily and conveniently do a round trip taxi to the market on their own. Getting to the market by a taxi is not a problem that travelers (even a local like me) should be concerning with but to get out of the market going to other places from there is a problem that international traveler and the locals need to be concerned. Yes, I say “locals.” Some places in Bangkok do not have many taxi passing by. It’s a problem for the locals as well when there are no taxis passing by that part of the city. But at Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market, you will find many taxi passing by all day during the its opening hours. International travelers as well as the locals; therefore, can make a round trip to the market with transportation worry-free. By the way, if getting a taxi is not the way you prefer, then I would recommend you do “Grab.” A transport service that is like “Uber.”
Location
The market, additionally, is close to Bangkok main attractions such as the Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha image temple) and Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) etc. The market is approximately 20 minutes away from old Bangkok by car. You can easily add the market to your itinerary mixing it with other Bangkok main attractions.
The location of the market is in Bangkok’ s suburb. The way of life of the locals living around the neighborhood is still traditional. You will experience authentic way of life along canals if you opt for a boat tour there. The boat tour will go along old canals that are used to be the main waterway people traveling around the city. You will experience what Bangkok looks like hundred years ago. Old canal-side communities are one of the highlights for us when visiting Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market.
The market is situated along Khlong Lad Ta Niao (Khlong in Thai means canals) and divided into 7 areas selling various stuff but mostly food. Along the canals, there will be boat vendors selling fresh local produces such as fruits and vegetable. You will be amazed with various kind of Thai food offered at the market. In fact, the food here is one of the main magnets that draws the locals people to the market. When you are at the floating market, do not miss the salted-grill fish. It’s one of the most popular dishes at this floating market. You will see that every table, the locals will have this menu on their tables. This can guarantee you how good the dish is!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/taladnamkhlongladmayom/?ref=page_internal
Opening hour: weekend and holiday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Floating Market at Taling Chan
Another floating market that I recommend is Taling Chan Floating Market. The reasons why I like the market is pretty much the same reasons as I like Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market. The market comes in the second place on my list is because its size that is smaller than KLMFM. Despite its smaller size, the market is actually closer to old Bangkok than KLMFM but yet still offers unique local experiences in term of atmosphere, food and traditional way of life along canals.
Taling Chan Floating Market: photo by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Traditional music
At the market, it often has a traditional musical band playing traditional musical instrument. This would be interesting for international travelers and really adding to the whole experience while you are there.
In comparison to the Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market, it has less food stalls but it is good enough for both locals and international travelers to enjoy a wide array of local food originated from different regions of Thailand.
Moreover, if you’re hungry for more floating markets, nearby there is another one name, “Song Klong Floating Market,” waiting for you explore. It’s within a walking distance. Unlike the Taling Chan Floating Market, the market is smaller and quieter with local visitors but I like it because of this reason. The market is in Taling Chan Temple. You can therefore explore the temple and might find some interesting scenes for photography which I did find some last time I visited. If you plan to visit this floating market, I suggest you do this one first before visiting the bustling Taling Chan one. A short visit is good enough in our opinion.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TaladNam2Klong/
Opening hours: Weekend from 9 am to 4 pm.
Kwan-Riam: the Floating Market
The market is ranked third on the list is because it’s located the farthest away from old Bangkok. It’s still by the way doable for one day tour with other main attractions on your itinerary. The floating market offer various experiences such as food (lots of food stalls here), canal boat tours, and local performance. What we think is the most highlight of Kwan-Riam Floating Market is the morning food offering to monks along the canal starting around 6 am to 7 am. You can offer monks some food who will be in a boat cursing along canals. This is a monk activity that is hardly seen these days in Bangkok. If you want to experience something unique about the Thai tradition, this would be your opportunity. Moreover, This market has less international tourists than Khlong Lad Mayom and Taling Chan Floating Markets. If your objective is to get away from the tourist traps and surrounded by the locals, Kwan-Riam will be the floating market you’re looking for.
Kwan-Riam Floating Market: photo by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TaladNam2Klong/
Opening hours: Weekend from 7 am to 6 pm.
Well! Now you know our favorite Bangkok Floating Markets that can easily be on your one day itinerary. So I hope you can make an informed decision which one is suitable for your one day tour. But if you do not want spend time much time planning your Bangkok trip, contact us for our private custom tour experience. With our expertise and experience, we will customize your travel based on your request and preferences.
Have a great day floating!