Amphawa Floating Market

The Amphawa Floating Market is an excellent example of the modern day floating markets found in Thailand today.  The market is located approximately 1.5 hours drive to the west of Bangkok within the Samut Songkhram Province.  The history of Thailand's floating markets developed naturally, due to the vast system of waterways found in Thailand and Amphawa's history dates all the way back to the Ayutthaya period.

The market is only open on the weekends and is mostly visited from local Thais who are looking for a nice day of shopping and a great lunch next to the waterways of the market area.  Delicious food is sold from colorful boats.  The market offers a number of interesting boat tours that include a tour of the local temples as well as a tour to see the fireflies that inhabit the trees along the river.

The food sold from the boats is fairly inexpensive but very delicious and fresh.   A huge recommend!

Getting to Amphawa from Bangkok on your own can be a challenge.  There are vans that leave from the Victory Monument Circle (adjacent to Centry Mall).  I recommend getting to Victory Monument Early in the morning (between 8 and 9). Also, I recommend buying your departure ticket on arrival to Amphawa.  Go to the Van Station at least an hour before the scheduled departure time and signing in.  The Vans fill up fast!