The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market offers a unique and timeless lifestyle of Thai locals along the canal or khlong. Located at Damnoen Saduak District in Ratchaburi, this central town is best known for its traditional floating market held every day from early morning till noon on a canal not far from the district office. Over decades, it has become a prime tourist attraction of the Bangkok vicinity. During the reign of King Rama IV in 1884, he ordered a 32 kilometer long canal to be dug by the military men at Damnoen Saduak. This canal would connect the Mae Klong River with the Taachin River for economic and transport purposes. The soil beside the canal is extremely fertile and ideal for growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables. The area is known to produce excellent quality Malacca grape, mangoes, oranges, Chinese grapefruit, bananas, and coconut.

The exotic actions at the Floating Market are very interesting to observe. Make a trip worthwhile by getting there before 8am and hire a small rowing boat (300-400 baht per boat per hour, no fixed price) to experience close-up canal side villages and boat vendors selling, buying and exchanging goods from their own orchards. This is a great opportunity to capture some of the most colourful moments on your Thailand trip through a camera lenses as seen in various postcards and guidebooks.

Getting There:
By Car: Ratchaburi Province is approximately 105 kilometers South of Bangkok or 2 hours drive. Travel from Bangkok via Highway No. 4 (Petchkasem Road) and turn left at Km. 80 for another 25 kilometers along Bangpae-Damnoen Saduak Road.

By Bus: Take an air air-conditioned or a normal public bus leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal. Buses to Damnoen Saduak district depart every 40 minutes from 06.00 onwards. Fare is around 49 Baht one way for air-conditioned buses (call 02- 435-5031) and 30 Baht for normal buses (call 02-434-5558). The suitable time to spend at the market is from 08.00-10.00.

The visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market can be combined with a full day tour of the great chedi or Rose Garden in Nakhon Pathom which is on the same route. The show time at the Thai Village in the Rose Garden is at 15.00 and admission fee is 190 Baht per person. The single or combined trip can easily be arranged through a travel agency or tour counter in most of the hotels in Bangkok.