Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak is the most famous floating market in Thailand with a nice lively atmosphere, colorful displays, animals, and boats selling delicious local foods, tropical fruits and tasty desserts like coconut ice cream and more. If you go early in the morning, you'll witness this floating Market in full swing as it gets crowded with hundreds of vendors floating in rowing boats and exchanging goods such as food, fruit and vegetables.

As popular as it is, this market has grown to be a tourist's trap. It's an expensive place to buy souvenirs from locals and since it is such a touristy place, it attracts a lot of scammers. So I wouldn't advise buying too many things here because you can find most of it around Thailand for less. But if you do, don't hesitate to bargain. The locals are more than willing to negotiate the price. It's part of their culture.

To make the most of your market experience, It best to stick to the unusual, delicious food many of the locals sell on their boats.

Floating market animals

My favorite part of the market was when we came across a stall where I was able to hold, play, and take pictures with local animals.

Slow Lorises

Slow lorises are from South East Asia. They are primates with big eyes and a tiny furry body. They have no tail, so they use their hands and legs to move from tree to tree.

Slow lorises are at risk to become endangered because of the illegal trade in wildlife. People will sell them as pets, and as cute as they are, they aren't met to be pets. Not only because they are wild animals, but also because they are poisonous. They have a venomous bite that can kill humans, so usually, their teeth are clipped. They won't last long as pets because they cant express natural behaviors in captivity. Having them as pets makes one a participant in the trade and encourages the illegal trading of this precious animals and accelerate their extinction rate.

Pythons

Pythons are native to the tropical side of southeast Asia and one of the five largest species of snakes. They are heavy, strong, but not poisonous. However, they are constructors, which means they use their strong bodies to constrict and crush their prey.

Things to Know Before You Go

Damnoen Saduak is a village located about 62 miles west of Bangkok.
It takes about an hour to two to get there from Bangkok.
There is no admission fee for the market.
Boat rides will cost, but be careful they will try to scam you.
Vendors only accept cash as payment.
Bargain!
Early in the morning is the best time to go in order to witness the market in full swing.

Boat fees

A rowboat: 200-300 baht

A motorboat: 600-800 baht

There is a tourist entrance where the ticket personnel will make you pay 3000 BHT. Your tour most likely will take you there. Outsmart them! Go to the market for free, and from there you can negotiate a price if you want to ride a boat.