After stopping at the Maeklong Railway Market, we continue on with our half day tour with our local guide from ‘Tour with Tong’, to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This floating market is situated about 100km southwest of Bangkok in Ratchaburi province.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is flocked with tourists, making it a chaotic yet colourful attraction. Market vendors are on stalled or moving boats, selling a huge range of goods from fruits to soup noodles to handbags and an endless assortment of souvenirs. We take a boat ride along the canals, stopping by at a Coconut Sugar Farm, as well as witnessing the lifestyle of local villagers living in homes over the waters.
squeezing through the ‘traffic jam’
sugar and spice and all things nice…
bargaining-in-action
Coconut Sugar Farm
Alight at the Coconut Sugar Farm to witness the sugar-making process. The sap from the sugar cane is heated here in large open containers. Once boiled and then cooled, the coconut sugar hardens into chunks, ready for sale. There is also free tasting of cooling coconut water offered here.
Fruits Galore
Check out the spread of fresh local fruits sold on boats everywhere you turn.
thirst quenching water guava (known to Malaysians as ‘jambu air’)
the King and Queen of Fruits of Thailand – durian (the ‘King’), mangosteen (the ‘Queen’)
irresistable rambutans
Authentic Thai Snacks
‘Kanom Bueng’ – Thai crispy coconut crepes
deep fried vegetarian spring rolls
‘Kanom Krok’ – Thai coconut pancakes
Lifestyle of Damnoen Saduak
an elderly lady rowing along the canal
friendly faces of Damnoen Saduak
hello Lee!
i always see photos of this floating market and I cant help feel but trouled of how the sellers hassle themselves to sell.. haha
but this set is probably the most organized I saw. great work of presenting how busy yet fun this market tour is.
mahusay ka! in english: you are great!
Well capture of the local lifestyle! That was a chaotic traffic jam; however, everyone looks so calm and pleasant on the boats except the one in bargaining~~
When I went to Damnoen Saduak two years ago, I actually stayed overnight at the town, and went to the market early in the morning, before it got too warm.
This is the famous floating market that I never had the chance to see for myself. But do you think it has not lost its original charm or has it turned into a tourist trap these days?
nice pictures! i had a great time at a floating market too
Post HK pix lor….
Nice capture! You went to Hong Kong? Post some pictures too!
Very nice.
Hope I can go there someday. Missed it the last time I was in Bangkok.
Lovely set of photo
Really nice pot, and I really like your blog.
Your picture are so nice, and the kids are so cute
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Alexandra
The floating market is such a buzz of activity!
Beautiful series! I can see a BIG PACKET of saffron – the world’s most expensive spice! I would LOVE to try coconut chunk and coconut crepes. They look delicious to me!
Many years ago, I went to Bangkok but don’t recall visiting the floating market. I haven’t eaten rambutans and mangosteens for over 15 years!
Very nice and colorful pictures in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!
Many souvenirs and I want to try the ‘Kanom Krok’ – Thai coconut pancakes!
I miss the market so much!
I would definitely try all their snacks!
The bargain lady’s face is full of expressions!
By the way, I also like their hats! Ha ha… Like a lampshade?!
>who are the 2 ladies dressed up in the first photo?
They’re shop assistants from a nearby photography shop.
People can dress up (like them) to have their photos taken.
Did you go to Windsor?
I went there twice, on both occasions I saw those girls.
Not exactly the same girls.
i remember this place, we almost got ripped off by the boat man. and i lost my designer sunglasses on this place.
RON
chyng: guess it’s part of the culture of bargaining in the markets
micki: it was quite congested especially where we got on and off the boats… so it’s not only bangkok traffic jam on the road – we have it on water too!
khengsiong: ahh really… how was the town? only saw the floating market. and yea best to get there early in the morning
Nomadic Pinoy: agree with you… not the most authentic local market – but i did want to see the hype and buzz of this famous tourist attraction. perhaps if i have another chance i’d like to visit one that is more local.
fufu: was it the same one that you visited?
uLi/Jimmy: HK – i wasn’t the one holding the camera this time round – was more of a weekend family trip in disneyland & helping to run after niece/nephew…
Che-Cheh: would recommend it – very lively atmosphere
smallkuching: thank you
Alexandra: hiya, have responded to you via email. as discussed, feel free to subscribe to my RSS feed and i have placed a link back to your metablog!
Mei Teng: it sure is.. even if you’re not shopping, watching the scene around you is quite something.
mylo: didn’t realise saffron was the most expensive spice – now i know..
ai shiang: u should come back to this area more often and feast on the fruits!
Rafael: there are all sorts of snacks for you to try out…
London Caller: looks like the wearing of hats has naturally become a part of the market scene. can imagine they’re definitely useful esp as it gets hot later in the day
ron: had a guide who arranged the boat for us so didn’t bargain on that part.. oh noes.. how did u lose your sunglasses? in the water??
This is a really good post, with the even more awesome shots, makes it a perfect travel blog
I ate one of the best noodles there
yum!
really love your pictures eh.. wonder when can i capture so nice as yorus~
horsoon: glad to share what I saw there
Nicholas Leong: yea the noodles seemed really popular with tourists. many were slurping while on the boat.
taufulou: heya…. i enjoy ur travel photos on ur site tooo
Hey Lechua, Happy New Year 2011. Nice photography on the river here. This is one of the places I am yet to visit out of Bangkok. So many times been to Bangkok, I always forget to include this place in my itinerary.
David
David: good to hear from you. impressed with all the activity going on at your site. Great job! & looking forward to more in the new year!
Great photos…I felt like I was taking a walk right there with you!
hi!
what lens did you use here?
angelina: many thanks
ayee: using nikkor 18-200mm
great photos, especially the boats with fruits
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment on http://www.lechuaphotography.com/2010/10/19/damnoen-saduak-floating-market but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say superb blog!
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Nice pictures, i have been in Damnoen a few weeks ago. The Tha Kha floating a market ( between Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak ) is interesting too. I did Amphawa in the evening and the railway market of mae Klong a wonderful “MarketDay”