Bangkok’s floating markets are a colourful reminder of the days when farmers brought their produce to sell in Bangkok by boat. They made an early start when the sun was not hot and the fruit and vegetables were at their freshest, and this remains the rule today.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi:
The largest and most photographed of the floating markets, it opens daily from before dawn until midmorning. Wearing traditional blue cotton suits and bamboo and palm leaf hats, the vendors paddle their loaded boats up and down the waterway hailing customers.Canal trips can be arranged to tour the market and surrounding orchards.

Contact TAT Ratchaburi, Tel: 0 3225 4980.

Taling Chan Floating Market, Bangkok:
Local farmers bring fresh vegetables, fruit and fi sh to sell, each in its season in front of the Taling Chan District Office on Saturday and Sunday from around 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are also floating food shops on rafts selling Thai food, sweets and handicrafts. Tour companies arrange
sightseeing boat tours along Khlong Chak Phra.

Contact TAT Bangkok, Tel: 0 2282 9773 or Taling Chan District Office, Tel: 0 2424 1742 or 0 2424 5448.

Tha Kha Floating Market, Samut Songkhram:
Villagers bring food, vegetables and local fruit to sell at Tha Kha market from 7 a.m. until noon. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days to visit, when the market is at its busiest, but it is also held on other days determined by the lunar calendar. Boats can be hired for tours of the
surrounding villages and orchards.

Contact TAT Bangkok, Tel: 0 2282 9773; or TAT Kanchanaburi, Tel: 0 3451 1200.

Lam Phya Floating Market, Nakhon Pathom:
This market is held in front of Wat Lam Phya, Tha Chin River, every Saturday and Sunday from around 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. Handicrafts including hand-woven cloth and hand-made baskets are sold here as well as fruit vegetables and a wide range of Thai food, noodles and desserts. Boat
trips are available to visit nearby attractions along the river.

Contact: Wat Lam Phya, Tel: 0 3439 1626, 0 3439 1985 or 0 3439 2022.

Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market, Nonthaburi:
This lively morning market opens from 6 to 8 a.m. only. Villagers bring in seasonal fruit, consumer products and prepared foods to sell by boat. At the same time, monks on their early morning alms rounds collect villagers’ offerings by boat, a site rarely seen any more in Thailand.

Contact TAT Bangkok, Tel: 0 2282 9773.

Dinner Cruises

Several of Bangkok’s riverside hotels and restaurants operate river cruises with dinner, some in converted rice barges, often in luxurious, traditional style. There is also good local food to be had beside the river, in old city neighbourhoods such as the alleys at Phra Chan pier by Silpakorn University, Chang pier, Phran Nok Wang Lang, Phra Athit, Bang Lamphu, Khao San Road, Thewet and Yaowarat. These are some of the riverside hotels and restaurants offering dinner cruises:

• Loy Nava. Tel: 0 2437 4932.
• Maeyanang. Tel: 0 2962 6005, 0 2960 5321.
• Maenam Hotel. Tel: 0 2256 7168.
• Manohra. Tel: 0 2476 0021-2.
• Pearl of Siam. Tel: 0 2292 1649-51
• Racha Floating Paradise. Tel: 0 2594 3978-9.
• Riverside Hotel. Te: 0 2434 0090.
• Royal River Hotel. Tel: 0 2422 9222.
• Shangri-La Hotel. Tel: 0 2236 7777
• The Oriental Hotel. Tel: 0 2659 9000.
• Wan Fah. Tel: 0 2237 0077-8 ext 181
• Yok Yor Restaurant. Tel: 0 2282 7385