The Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak sit in the town of Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi province, Thailand, about a short drive from the country's central plains. The market is known in English as the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, and it is built around a network of narrow canals where vendors sell from their boats rather than from stalls on land.
What you will see
Boats crowd the water with fresh produce and local foods, and vendors call out their wares as visitors drift past. It is a working market first, so the goods on offer reflect everyday Thai eating and shopping rather than a display laid on for tourists. Many visitors find it a good place to watch the trade unfold and to see the canal life of the area up close.
What kind of visit it makes
- An authentic look at traditional Thai commerce on the water
- A chance to sample local foods bought directly from the boats
- A setting that suits photography, with the canals and boats as the backdrop
- A cultural outing that can be combined with a wider day trip from the capital region
Because the market is spread along waterways, it is best approached slowly and on foot where paths allow, or by boat if you prefer to take a ride along the canals. Allow time to wander rather than rushing through.
For up-to-date details before you go, the market can be reached by telephone at +66-32-254-179.