Damnoen Saduak is undoubtedly the most famous floating market in Thailand. And for good reason: if you type " Bangkok floating market ", you'll almost certainly find photos of it.
It's a very touristy place, marketed as THE floating market of Bangkok , but what taxi drivers eager to take you there don't reveal at first is that it's not in Bangkok... and that the floating aspect is far from the original concept.
It is also important to understand that it is more like a giant souvenir shop, with the "fun" aspect of being centered around water; but you mainly find decorative objects, clothing and crafts of all kinds.
And while you can obviously find some food, fresh fruit and drinks ranging from fresh coconuts to beers, it is rarely frequented or consumed by locals — and not in the sense of a fresh produce market as it originally was.
How to get to Damnoen Saduak from Bangkok?
Damnoen Saduak is located approximately 100 km southwest of Bangkok , in the province of Ratchaburi. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on traffic.
There are several options for getting there, from the simplest to the most “adventurous”.
By taxi or private car (the most direct route)
The simplest and quickest way is still to call on a taxi from bangkok.
Drivers typically offer a daily rate that includes round-trip transportation and waiting time on site.
Expect to pay around 2,500 baht : this is the most comfortable option, especially if you want to leave early (which is recommended to avoid the crowds) but also the most practical if you want to combine the Mae Klong train market and 1-2 visits in the surrounding area (I'll talk about that later).
→ A highly recommended taxi service: Chang Watchara
By bus or minivan (public transport)
By public transport, you need to go to the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (Sai Tai Mai).
Direct buses and minivans serve Damnoen Saduak without passing through the nearby town of Samut Songkhram.
The ticket costs approximately 150 baht per person.
This is the most economical option, but it requires a little more organization, especially for the return trip and above all once there you will be more limited in your movements (even if taxis generally offer their services once there).
By train (via Mae Klong), for the adventurous.
There is no direct train to Damnoen Saduak, but it is possible to combine the journey with a visit to the Mae Klong train market.
To do this, go to the small Wongwian Yai station , on the west bank of Bangkok.
The train first takes you to Mahachai. You then have to cross the Tha Chin river by boat, reach Ban Laem station, then take a second train to Mae Klong (at Samut Songkhram).
You then arrive directly at the famous market set up along the railway tracks.
⚠️ Warning : Mae Klong is not next to Damnoen Saduak. You will then need to arrange a taxi or local transport to cover the remaining 20 to 25 km to the floating market.
This option is longer, but interesting if you want to discover both markets in the same day and experience the local train.
Do we need to go through an organized excursion?
Many agencies offer half-day or full-day excursions departing from Bangkok.
This is the simplest solution if you do not want to manage transportation, but it involves a program that is often very structured and a limited time on site.
A brief historical and geographical overview of Damnoen Saduak
The first point I wanted to raise here is that this floating market is often "sold" as being in Bangkok, when in fact it is located in the province of Ratchaburi.
This is particularly important when it comes to taxis trying to urge you to go there. If you're unaware of the cost, you won't understand the high price, which is generally consistent, and above all, you won't understand why getting there takes so long.
Because some people don't expect to embark on a journey of about 1 hour 30 minutes, so it's still 3 hours round trip.
It's certainly quite feasible to do the visit in a day, but this timing should be taken into account when planning the rest of your sightseeing. Keep in mind that there are floating markets right in Bangkok itself.
The most well-known are Taling Chan and my favorite, the Lat Mayom market , a vast market, but again, more on land than on water.
The problem is that all these so-called "floating" markets only take place on weekends, and that's where Damnoen Saduak comes in, because it's the exception. That's why it's so heavily promoted; it's simply the only one open every day.
Secondly , like many floating markets today, Damnoen Saduak is a revival of a floating market that once existed near the main Damnoen Saduak canal. This canal was created during the reign and by order of King Rama IV between 1866 and 1868 to connect the Tha Chin River in the west to the Mae Klong River in the east.
Many floating markets sprang up along this new 32 km waterway, as land roads were still very underdeveloped. The numerous canals nearby (more than 200!) dug by the villagers were the main means of transportation, by boat.
Originally named Lad Plee Market , this floating market eventually ceased operations in the 60s, as the road network became sufficient to gradually abandon this method of selling on the water, which was considered less practical.
But at that same time, tourism was beginning to develop due to the presence of American troops in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
The Tourism Organization of Thailand (later renamed the Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT) was then created to promote the country's attractions and develop tourism in the Land of Smiles. From 1971, the idea was simple: to revive the Lad Plee market to attract foreign tourists.
In 1981, the road now running through the middle of the canal (where the main part of Damnoen Saduak Market is located) was built, leading contractors to develop the canal banks into what would become the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market we know today.
Just a quick note, the market is actually a combination of 3 small separate markets: Ton Khem , Hia Kui and Khun Phitak , which are accessed by navigating by boat in the canals.
What to expect at Damnoen Saduak Market?
As it's the most famous of Thailand's floating markets, don't expect a small, secluded one. Many tour operators bring visitors from Bangkok by bus, and they come and go for a good part of the morning.
If you arrive before 10am, you will clearly see the difference.
How does the boat tour work?
In Damnoen Saduak, everything revolves around boat tours.
Most visitors opt for a longtail boat ride , lasting approximately one hour. The "basic" route focuses first on the main canal, where the activity is most intense, before passing along the row of shops on the intermediate canals and then heading out towards quieter canals.
If you're not aware of the prices, it's easy to get ripped off… some people have been offered tours for 3,000 or 4,000 baht for 1.5 hours, under the pretext that they had to rent the entire boat. But if there are only two of you, at that price, it's clearly outrageous.
It's therefore best to compare prices, negotiate, and not accept the first offer. As a guide, a private longtail boat for 1.5 hours often costs around 1,500 baht (this may vary depending on the route and the number of people). There's also a cheaper option if you share the boat with other visitors for a basic, standard tour.
Personally, I always opt for a rowing boat , which is more pleasant than noisy longtail boats, because even if you don't go as far, I appreciate the floating aspect of the boat more and the family aspect of those who offer this low-cost trip.
Where I take it (I indicated it on the map just after), it's 500 baht for a loop of about an hour via a small boat for 4/5 people (if you are 10, you will probably need two boats).
On the map below, I show you:
- the personal circuit (in blue),
- two possible extensions (1 and 2) to see a little something other than the market itself.
A (very) touristy atmosphere
Tourist destinations come with corresponding prices…
While normally you can buy a coconut for less than 40 baht, here it will be more like 60, even though they are plentiful in the region… A bottle of water can cost 20 baht instead of 10.
These are just a few examples, but in principle, paying double simply because you are in a very busy area leaves a mixed taste.
The market itself consists of a dense lineup of shops selling more or less the same thing: decorative objects, clothing, souvenirs, classic crafts.
On the main section, the boats brush past each other, their engines belch smoke onto those behind, and you often have to tuck your elbows in to get through. In fact, you'll be told not to leave your fingers lingering on the sides of the boat.
Mandatory stops and partnerships
Boats regularly stop in front of certain shops, sometimes as a result of partnerships, sometimes simply because a slightly too intense look suggests that you are interested.
An almost systematic stop during the boat tour: the palm sugar factory.
They still produce them (at the back of the site), but the visible part today is mainly a well-oiled shop.
A floating market… but mainly for visitors
Yes, some vendors still travel by boat with fresh fruit, drinks ranging from beer (early in the morning…) to coconuts, but also snacks such as grilled meats, the ever-popular Pad Thai or the famous mango sticky rice dessert.
There are also a few "grandmas" with a retro look that provide a visual guarantee of authenticity. But in reality, you see more boats full of tourists than locals doing their shopping.
The market, formerly concentrated in the morning, is now open all day, 7 days a week to accommodate the number of visitors eager to experience the "floating market".
It's a well-oiled machine. It works, it attracts, and it continues to seduce despite rather mixed opinions.
So should you visit Damnoen Saduak?
Given the description I gave above, you might wonder why on earth I'm even asking the question, since the answer seems obvious at first glance.
Except there's a subtlety.
Damnoen Saduak is the only floating market easily accessible from Bangkok that's open on weekdays. So if you're not in Bangkok on weekends and you really want to see this kind of market, it's the default option.
Going in with your eyes open makes you appreciate the place more, because the atmosphere remains truly unique. It's a bit like a carousel: everything is "scripted," but there's a fun side to it, and you might stumble upon scenes of everyday life and truly eloquent moments.
Knowing what to expect can also help you avoid unnecessary expenses: buy water beforehand. To prevent unpleasant surprises (price, type of boat, dock), I explain above where I take the boat and how to choose the right route.
It is also perfectly possible (although this clearly limits the experience) to not take a boat trip at all and simply observe the surrounding area. The market can also be explored partly "on land".
Another positive point is that the restaurants around have prices that remain reasonable, and there are also quite a few nice little cafes for a caffeinated break.
Overall, the best advice I can give you is to arrive before 9am , which is when the groups usually start to arrive.
Obviously, you have to be an early riser… which isn't always appealing when you're on vacation, I understand. But after all, that's often how you get the most out of tourist spots.
Getting up early allows you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere from 7:30 am (that means leaving Bangkok at 6 am…).
In this case, you may even see monks passing by boat to collect the offerings (what is called the Tak Bat) as is done everywhere around the temples (and there are plenty of them in the surrounding area).
At that time of day, there are also some boats selling local fresh produce, and there, you get more of the feeling of a floating market.
Take a stroll around the surrounding area, especially near the main canal: you will see wooden houses with old-world charm.
If you opt for a longtail boat ride in the area, try to negotiate a wider route to get out of the market areas and see more of the local atmosphere.
The atmosphere changes as soon as you move away from the tourist heart of Damnoen Saduak and you come across lots of old wooden shacks and the daily routine of the inhabitants living along the water.
Combine Damnoen Saduak with the surrounding area
Taken on its own, Damnoen Saduak might leave a mixed impression. But as part of a day trip to Samut Songkhram, its appeal becomes more coherent…
With these various attractions, the region around the town of Samut Songkhram is well worth spending the day in, even if it means traveling around the area.
Among other attractions, I can mention:
- le Wat Bang Kung: temple surrounded by centuries-old trees,
- Don Hi Lot, seaside with a small market, popular with locals for picnics
- or even the Amphawa floating market, if it's also the weekend.
Damnoen Saduak: Who is it really made for?
If you are looking for an authentic and local market, this is probably not the one to choose.
For a more authentic version , head to the Tha Kha floating market ; it is one of the few original floating markets still active in the region.
It is only 10 km from Damnoen Saduak, but this only happens on weekends AND early in the morning!
On the other hand, if you are there during the week, want to see a floating market without waiting for the weekend, and accept the very touristy nature of the place, the experience can still be quite different.
Provided you arrive early, choose a rowboat and don't expect a village market frozen in time.
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