Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market

From Bangkok:

"Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market"

THB 950

ONLY PER PAX

From Bangkok:

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Highlights:

✅Experience the quieter way of life in Thailand away from the big cities.
✅Arrive at the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market by paddleboat.
✅Discover the vibrant atmosphere of the iconic Maeklong Railway Market.
✅Buy and try authentic pad thai, rice noodle soup, or mango sticky rice.
✅Enjoy lots of free time exploring both markets at your own pace.

Full description:

✅Choose from either a shared group or private guided experience to see 2 iconic markets on a day trip from Bangkok. See a market located on the railway tracks, the Maeklong Railway Market, and a market that floats on the canals at the Damnoen Saduak Market.
✅After pickup, arrive at the Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talad Rom Hup (“Umbrella Pulldown Market”). Maeklong is one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand and hugs the track of the Maeklong Railway.
✅Gain fascinating insights into how the market is run and what products are sold here from your local guide. Marvel at how market stalls and awnings are pulled back from the tracks every time a train approaches to let the train pass through.
✅Next, head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand. To reach the market, take a short ride in a paddleboat. Enjoy plenty of time to meander around the colorful market, where friendly vendors sell directly from their boats.
✅Take in the sights and sounds, and try local specialties like mango sticky rice. Your guide will give you advice on what not to miss. Return to Bangkok in time for the early afternoon.

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Maeklong Railway Market:

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market:

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Know before you go:

✅The boat ride at Damnoen Saduak usually involves a traffic jam. To enhance your customer experience, this tour does not include the boat ride on the canal. However, if there is less boat traffic on the day of your visit and you would like to take a boat trip, your guide can contact the boat vendor for you to guarantee the best price (normally about 150 Baht for a 25-30 minute ride)
✅Due to some remaining Covid-related restrictions, the markets may not be as lively as expected. Not all vendors have fully resumed selling at their stalls

I. DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET

✅ In the past, daily commerce in Thailand was conducted mostly along rivers and canals (or khlongs in Thai). Bangkok’s water network was busy and served as the principal means of communication causing Bangkok to be called as the "Venice of the East" by early European visitors.
✅Damnoen saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi is one of the most popular floating markets in Thailand. Every day many Thai and foreign tourists travel here to shop, eat, and absorb the atmosphere of Thailand water markets that have been like this for over a 100 years. Klong Damnoen Saduak Damnoen Saduak is the straightest and longest canal in Thailand. The canal was built on royal initiative as King Rama IV of Thailand wanted to link the Mae Klong River with Chinese river ways to support transportation and trade. It took over 2 years to dig, and was eventually finished under the reign of his successor King Rama V. The canal is 32 kilometers long and has more than 200 branches. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market's popularity grew to new heights in 1971-1973 when the river was full of farmers on their boats selling their wares. And that is the way trade is performed in this area until todays.

II. MAEKLONG RAILWAY MARKET (RISKY TRAIN MARKET)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

✅Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market) is a local market in Samut Songkhram Province, commonly called Siang Tai (life-risking) Market. It is considered one of amazing-Thailand attractions in the province. Spreading over a 100-metre length, the market is located by the railway near Mae Klong Railway Station, Mueng District, Samut Songkhram Province. It is a common fresh market selling seafood, vegetable, fruits, fresh and dried food, meats and other miscellaneous goods. Mae Klong Railway Market is open from 6.00 a.m. -6.00 p.m. The market is called 'life-risking' market because its stalls are attached to the Mae Klong-Ban Laem railway, which is a short railway line running from and to Mahachai and Mae Klong.
✅Vendors at the market put out parasols or canvas to protect themselves against the sun. The shelters stick into the railway where visitors walk and do their shopping. When each signal of the arriving train rings, chaos happens: vendors will rush to close their parasols and canvas, along with clearing all goods that will obstruct the coming train at a great speed. Once the train passes, parasols and canvas will be reopened as goods are again put into their usual place next to the railroad. The market, accordingly, is so called 'Hoop Rom (umbrella/parasol-closing) Market'.
✅The practice is usual for vendors and local people, but not for tourists who will definitely find the scene exciting and enjoyable at each visit. The parasol-closing event happens eight times per day according to the time that trains leave Mahachai for Mae Klong and depart Mae Klong for Mahachai. Trains will arrive at Mae Klong Station at 8.30 a.m., 11.10 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 5.40 p.m., and depart the station at 6.20 a.m., 9.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.. To arrive by car, take Thonburi-Pak Tho route until the 63rd kilometer. Keep left and enter the paralleled elevated highway to read the centre of Samut Songkhram. Drive past the first light and the market. At the second light, turn right and cross over the railway to arrive at Mae Klong Railway Market. By train, from Wonwian Yai Railway Station, get off at Mahachai Station. Take a ferry to Tha Chalom side and catch the train from Ban Laem Station to Mae Klong, which is the last station.