Thailand is famous for its markets. Whichever Thailand city you go, you will certainly have either a floating market or night market where you can find both locals and tourists moving shoulder by shoulder. Vibrant with colours of all sorts, a treat of Thai culture with smiling faces and filled with the smell of delicious Thai cuisines, these buzzing floating markets will for sure mesmerize you as you will walk through their narrow lanes.
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In Bangkok, there are many floating markets that you can look to explore. After a quick research, we zeroed into Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองลัดมะยม). This is quite a big market and being a bit far from the city center (~18 kms), this is a perfect floating market visit that you can plan. You will get a flavor of walking and shopping with locals as you will negotiate the narrow spaces walking from counter to counter.
Though these markets are called as floating markets/river markets, but most of the shops are not on boats but on the ground itself by the canal side. Still, you may find some boat shops selling to customers as they walk in two lines by the side of the stream.
So why should you visit Bangkok floating or river markets. Here is our five reasons for why you should not miss visiting a floating market in Thailand especially Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, Bangkok
1. Smell and Taste of Thai Cuisines/Food
As you will walk through the market, you will find a lot to eat. So many counters selling so delicious food. You can not stop but get tempted to try almost every counter. Be it vegetables, fruits, candies. smoothies, salads, starters, soups, curries or desserts – you can find all and everything here.
We tried chicken curry with noodles at this stall and food was simply finger-licking delicious. Even Thai people are damn too nice. They always receive you with a smile and you can feel the warmth in the way they serve you.
You can also find famous Thai Pla Pao dish here – Salt-crusted grilled fish. In case, you are a fan of fish, you must try Pla Pao for sure.
2. Colourful Vibrance of Floating Markets
It is the positive vibes that you get as you walk across these floating markets. Colourful sights and the vibrant atmosphere give you a good-feel sense be it the green colour of vegetables of a cow boy hat hanging from a shop lit with yellow lights.
3. Riverside Restaurants and Live Music
Floating markets are not only about shopping, they are also about experience.You can purchase your dishes from any of the restaurants in the market and can take a seat on the riverside looking out at the long-tail boats passing through the canal.
Live music is another add on that you will enhance your experience at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market.
4. Enjoy long tail boat ride
In case, you want to enjoy the market views from the canal, you can also opt for a boat ride. Both long tail boats and simple boats are available just next to the market and can take you for a ride through the canal. You may also opt for a longer boat ride that can take you to Chao Phraya River as you enjoy the views of Bangkok and its temples.
5. Treat of Thai Culture
Best part of visiting Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is that you get a taste of Thai culture. While at other floating markets in Bangkok, you will find more of tourists but at this market, you will find a lot of Thai people shopping around. Even the rates are nominal with no extra margin for tourists.
Our recommendation is that visiting a floating market in Thailand should be one of the top items on your Thailand trip itinerary. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and are sure of you too enjoying it all along.
Here is the video of our first hand experience at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating market – (Youtube Link)
How to reach Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Bang Wa BTS Station is the closest metro station to Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market. Floating market is still around 12 Kms from Bang Wa BTS station. You may take a taxi here onwards. We had taken a Uber ride with a fare of 90 Baht. In case, you are in a group, you may also opt for a direct taxi as including Metro fare, we spent a total of 232 Baht from Hua Lamphong Railway Station for 2 people (Ticket to Si Lom -34 Bahts, Changes for Bang Wa – 104 Bahts and Uber to Floating Market – 90 Bahts). This would have been very much equivalent to total taxi fare.
Click here to refer the location of Khlong Lat Mayom Market. After exploring floating market, we headed for our next destination to Wat Pho to see the biggest reclining Buddha in Thailand.
Opening Hours for Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
9 AM to 4 PM (Saturdays, Sundays and Major Holidays)
Do remember that people in Thailand wrap up early in the evening. So do not go towards the evening. Better would be to reach early to beat the day crowd.
Hope you enjoy your Bangkok floating market experience. Do comment in case you need any additional information.