This weekend, invite your friends, loved ones, and family to take a drive and enjoy sampling and shopping for various foods and products at floating markets near Bangkok. Floating markets are a great way to relax and enjoy a day out, offering fun, delicious food at wallet-friendly prices, while also allowing you to experience traditional Thai lifestyles. This time, we have 5 popular floating markets that we recommend for a weekend drive. Let's see where they are!

1. Ayutthaya Floating Market, Ayutthaya Province

       Starting with Ayutthaya Floating Market, this is the place to go if you want to experience a nostalgic atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy a conservation tourism experience and witness the lifestyle of Thai people from the past. The market features over 250 shops with paddle boats selling fresh seafood, traditional Thai desserts, local handicrafts, and a variety of OTOP products. Additionally, the market enhances the retro atmosphere by naming its buildings after districts in Ayutthaya, such as Bang Sai Market, Bang Sapan Market, and Bang Pahan Market. You can also take a boat ride to enjoy the scenery of the Ayutthaya Floating Market, which has recreated the old city walls, or choose to ride an elephant to admire the architecture, with plenty of picturesque spots for memorable photos.

Getting There: From Bangkok, take Phaholyothin Road through Phra In Gate, then follow Highway 32. When you reach Ayutthaya Park, turn left into the city of Ayutthaya, continue straight to the Sampluem Temple roundabout, circle around the stupa, and turn right towards Wat Makhaeng for about 600 meters until you find the entrance to Ayutthaya Floating Market on your right.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

2. Four Regions Floating Market, Chonburi Province

Credit Photo: www.pattayafloatingmarket.com

      If you have the chance to visit Pattaya, we highly recommend stopping by the Four Regions Floating Market. This is a family-friendly relaxation spot with a traditional Thai atmosphere. The market is divided into four zones representing different regions, where you can stroll around, shop for local products, fashion items, handmade goods, or sample a variety of foods sold from traditional Thai houses and boats along the waterways. Visiting here will surely take you back to the days of your grandparents. There are also various activities to enjoy, such as zip-lining, paddle boat rides, herbal compress treatments, and traditional performances like sea boxing and water games. You won't be disappointed!

Getting There: From Bangkok, take Sukhumvit Road, driving from North Pattaya to South Pattaya, heading towards Jomtien Beach. After passing the South Pattaya intersection, you will see signs directing you to the Four Regions Floating Market. Continue driving for a while, and the market will be on your left.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

3. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi Province

      When it comes to Thailand's top floating markets, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market stands out as one of the oldest, over a hundred years old, and beloved by both Thai and international tourists. The market is bustling with vendors paddling boats filled with countless food options, including boat noodles, rice crackers, and a variety of fresh fruits directly from the orchards, as well as handicrafts. If you want to enjoy the scenery while dining, you can also rent a boat.

Getting There: Drive along Phetkasem Road, passing Bangkae, Sam Phran, Nakhon Chai Si, and Nakhon Pathom. After passing kilometer 83, take a slight left at Bang Phae intersection, then turn left onto Highway 325 for about 25 km. Cross the Thanarat Bridge for about 200 meters, then turn right and go about 1 km to reach Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

4. Amphawa Floating Market, Samut Songkhram Province

      It's impossible to talk about floating markets without mentioning Amphawa Floating Market, which is extremely popular among Thai tourists. This large floating market is a riverside community, allowing visitors to deeply experience the lifestyle of the Amphawa people. Unlike other floating markets, Amphawa opens in the evening, where vendors paddle boats to sell goods as the sun sets, giving you the chance to buy food and enjoy it by the riverside. You can find grilled seafood with spicy dipping sauce, traditional Thai desserts, herbal drinks, duck jelly, ancient sweets, lotus leaf-wrapped rice, and many more. There are also plenty of shops on land selling souvenirs. Don't miss the highlight of the night boat ride to see fireflies; it's an experience you must try!

Getting There: From Samut Songkhram Province, take Highway 325 towards Damnoen Saduak and R.2 Park. Continue for about 6 km, and before reaching the traffic light intersection, there will be a left turn into Amphawa. Go another 800 meters, and you will find the entrance to Amphawa Market on your left.
Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday from 4:00 PM onwards.

5. Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

      Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is the largest retro floating market in Asia, featuring numerous picturesque spots for photos. The architecture and decor here combine wooden designs with Victorian colors that were introduced to Thailand during the reign of King Rama VI. Inside the market, vendors paddle boats selling goods for you to choose from, making you feel like you've stepped back into the Rattanakosin era. There are over 250 shops in retro-style buildings for you to shop and sample, along with daily performances to enjoy. Additionally, on important religious days, the market hosts activities where you can offer alms to monks who come by boat, filling both body and soul.

Getting There: From Hua Hin city, drive towards Khao Takiab. At the intersection leading to Khao Takiab, turn right onto the bridge, then keep right towards Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan. After crossing the bridge, make a U-turn into Soi Hua Hin 112, and drive for about 5 kilometers until you see signs directing you to Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market. You will pass Hua Hin Floating Market first, so continue for about 100 meters past it, then turn left to reach Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

SOURCE:   www.expedia.co.th

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