Weekend idea: getaway to the Lat Mayom floating market

If you are probably familiar with the classic and timeless Chatuchak weekend market, you have also surely heard of the famous Bangkok floating markets. Knowing that all floating markets except Damnoen Saduak only open on weekends.

I'm taking advantage of this information to tell you that if you come across taxi drivers offering to take you to a floating market during the week, then it will be Damnoen Saduak (and it won't be cheap by taxi... because they are careful not to say that it is not in Bangkok itself but more than 10 km away, in the province of Ratchaburi).

Lat Mayom has undeniable advantages, in addition to being mostly frequented by locals, it is one of the closest to the city center (about 15km)! So let's review what this relatively unknown market is worth despite its growing local popularity.

1- A small floating market

Let's be clear from the start, don't expect a big market full of boats sailing along the canal. The misleading image that our friend Google can give us by typing " floating market bangkok » still makes many people dream of this type of experience. And Thailand continues to promote these markets as if they were truly an integral part of their culture (in the sense that it is still current), they continue to attract a good number of tourists who see this stop as a must-see in Bangkok.

The illusion works, it seems like there are plenty of them.

I won't elaborate on this subject any further, because I talk about it in my article on the Damnoen Saduak Market.. That being said, I don't really like Damnoen Saduak because of its touristy side, it's more of a collection of souvenir shops than a market in the "eating" sense... whereas for Lat Mayom, the charm still works.

There you will find stalls galore with a crowd of Thais coming to taste various specialties all day long, all at the water's edge. Because yes, it would not be a floating market without its canal next door.

The main part of the market is above all on land, it is roughly composed of 2 parts, separated by the road. A bridge allows you to avoid crossing the road, this one has a low ceiling (you pass underneath) and it is there that you will find the current boats parked, where mainly fruits and vegetables are sold.

Many people come here with their families to enjoy the weekend to recharge their batteries, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Lat Mayom is surrounded by greenery, there are activities for children and above all, it is a good starting point for doing a tour on the famous canals of Bangkok.

2- Walk on the canals around Lat Mayom: 2 options

You will have 2 options to enjoy a boat trip the local canals. The long tail boat version, understand, take a famous long tail boat, these long boats whose truck engine protruding from the back leaves no one indifferent, and otherwise a rowing boat.

Option 1: Long tail boat

You can do a classic tour in common with other people, I have, to date, had the right to 2 different circuits. The first one left towards the northern part of the floating market, with a stop to enjoy a corner with typical dwellings, along the paths laid out along the canals.

The second was a loop going to the canals south of the market. This included a stop at another small floating market (20 min), located at a temple, as well as a stop at a orchid farm (20 min also).

In both cases, it is normally a 2h1 ride. What determines which circuit they do, I don't know. What I do know is the price, 100 baht per person in both cases. To take them, it's next to the parking lot, on the northern part of the market (see the map below).

It is also possible to rent the services of a private boat, with the possibility of extending or shortening the trip according to your needs, in this case, you must count 800 baht / hour for the entire boat (which can hold up to 12 people in general). In this case, you need to go to the southern part of the market (see the map at the bottom of the article).

Option 2: Rowing boat

This 2nd option takes you less far since you will be taken around the market in a small typical boat. During one hour, you are taken behind the market through a narrow canal, past houses and emerging into a pond where there are lotus flowers, which, when open, complete the decor.

This option is very relaxing, because you can then enjoy the ride in silence, with an incomparable floating sensation, personally, I love it!

In this case, it is sufficient to only 20 baht per person, the boat being however limited to less than 10 people, there may be a bit of a wait. To take it, the small quay is right next to the bridge separating the 2 parts of the market, not far from the parking lot of the merchants' boats.

Note that it there is a variant, but unless you ask for it explicitly, I don't know if they do it by default, a priori, it depends on the boatman, but some will turn before the main crossroads if a canal goes off to the right and make a loop passing through a completely green and superb area.

3- How to get to Lat Mayom floating market

Unfortunately, there are not 36 thousand ways… There is no public transport going there (even if some bus lines would probably get you closer), so the easiest way is to go there by taxi. From the city center, it shouldn't cost you more than 200 baht (I'm also including a useful link to estimate the cost of a trip: Taxi Fare in Bangkok)

Note that it is still possible, due to the canals, to get there by boat from the Chao Phraya River, but it could be long and therefore expensive.

4- Map of Lat Mayom

To help you get your bearings a little with the information in the article, here is a map compiling the points mentioned.

And to situate the floating market in relation to the old town of Bangkok:

What is your favorite market in Bangkok?

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