Everything is available at Damnoen Saduak and the product range covers the whole gamut from the ubiquitous Thai dessert of mango and sticky rice through to wooden knick-knacks and colourful silk and cotton clothing. The market is 100kms west of Bangkok.
Travel agents in the city offer Damnoen Saduak tours, yet these barely allow enough time to soak up the ambience before it is time to board the bus back again. A DIY outing is a much better option. It is easily doable by train or bus, or even on a mini-bus from Victory Monument.
Boarding a train or bus for Samut Songkhram or possibly Ratchaburi will put you within striking distance of Damnoen Saduak. From either of these locations, it is a short songtheaw shared taxi or local bus trip to the boarding points for the market boats. A point to remember is that Damnoen Saduak only operates in the morning and many of the vendors will be tending their crops during the afternoon.
This market is close to both Amphawa Market and the so-called Railway Market at Maeklong. Spending a few days in the locale gives the opportunity of taking in all three markets and catching glimpses of the Thailand of olden times.
The ultimate Thai shopping experience
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There are quite a few floating markets dotted around Thailand, but the one at Damnoen Saduak is by far the best. Visitors can ride a tourist boat through the market’s canals or simply browse the amazing array of products on offer from the shade of the canal banks.