Damnoen Saduak

It is best either to drive to Damnoen Saduak floating market, about 5 km (3 mi.) from Ratchaburi, or to travel by local bus from Bangkok (Southern Bus Terminal). There are taxi boats and public transport boats which depart from Damnoen Saduak's landing stage.

Travel offices in Bangkok offer tours here. To experience the market at its best visit it as early as possible in the morning - this will necessitate leaving Bangkok at about 5am. Use a rented car (preferably with a driver) or a local bus to arrive when the traders are by themselves. Private bus tours arrive from 9am at the latest. By noon the klong is empty of craft.

History

While the capital city Bangkok has barely retained one of the floating markets, which once gained it the nickname "Venice of the East", one remains in the province of Ratchaburi, with which the Thai tourist authorities are heavily involved. Damnoen Saduak market suggests the way of life found in Bangkok itself in the not too distant past.