Floating Market – Dumnoen Saduak

We were told that visiting a floating market was a must see activity while in Bangkok; glad we did. On our 5th day in Bangkok we visited the Dumnoen Saduak floating market. A 2 hour drive south of Bangkok, this is one of the largest and most popular floating markets in Thailand. A huge draw for tourist, the Damnoensaduak Canal also provides farmers with irrigation for their agricultural needs all year around. About 200 small canals were dug by local peasants to connect their land to the main canal. The small canals also were used as transportation channels to bring their products to markets and neighboring provinces.

Every day, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the Floating Market is crowded with locals looking for fresh produce, fruits and cooked meals. While tourists are eagerly shopping for bargains and snapping as many pictures as they can before the market closes. The vendors come in boats and go up and down the canal selling their wares. Others station themselves at one side of the canal and wait for customers to come to them in their boats. In addition to produce and fruit, you will also find a large number of souvenirs to meet the taste of most tourists. As with every place in Bangkok, you must bargain to get a good price. Usually, if they see you are a tourist they will ask for about 300% of what a local will pay. Below I am sharing some of the view from this colorful and busy place.

Judging by the time when I took this picture, this lady had ended her selling day and is heading home. Note the guy right laying down on the boat and reading his cell phone. Not much different that in any US city, the majority of people are walking, talking, resting with their cell phones on hand and focused on them.

Saw this kind of sausages everywhere. Tried the ones in the hotel and they were very good. Definitely popular with most.

Several people told me that street food is quite safe in Bangkok. There is a noticeable difference in the cleanliness standards between Thailand and China for example. Many of the floating boats offered a variety of foods. This lady had noodle soups with various choices of meats and vegetables.

Hmmm ... smelled so good. Check the hat out!

Thailand is known for friendly people and their wonderful smiles. They truly look content in whatever situation they find themselves in.

Ok, so I could not resist and decided to try this vendor's noodle soup. Was told it was a must have. My bowl is on the top, to the right of the Coke bottles. I chose pork and a variety of veggies, some I recognize, others...??? In this view the vendor is getting a pinch of hot peppers to add to my bowl. The she added the broth. Wow was it good. Spicy and delicious. Wanted another one, but decided to just keep it at one. Did not get sick at all.

Not sure what this lady sells, but it looked like some sort of cake being baked on hot coals.

Love to take pictures of people. This lady probably has navigated this canal for many, many years if not since she was a little one. Would like to see through her eyes the many changes I am sure she has seen in this area.

The chicken wing lady. As with most of grilled food, the aroma was just so good. They pierce the extended chicken wing with a stick and place the marinated wing on the grill. Did not try it, but it really looks good.

Not every local is selling things. This lady is probably a local going out to do her daily shopping.

Popular spot as I said earlier. Here we see a Saudi take a boat tour of the market. best way to experience it if you only have a couple of hours.

Liked the color and patterns of this decorations made from coconut shells.

Another local. This one seemed to just be hanging around. Love the hat.

Was looking for some boats with colorful produces, but did not see many. I think it was primarily because we arrived a bit too late. This picture was taken from one of the two bridges we saw in the market.

Looking for customers.

Have no idea what fruits this gentleman was selling. The hat seems a bit too small, but he seems happy with it.

My final shot from the bridge as we prepare to leave. Hope you enjoyed this glimpse to one of the most popular floating markets in Bangkok.

 

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