Are you traveling through Bangkok (Thailand) and want to see a local floating market with few tourists? I highly recommend the Khlong Lat Mayom. Here you can take a boat ride through the canals, shop at the floating market and try Thai food.
In this post, you’ll also find recommendations on what to do in the capital of Thailand, and how to get to the city from the airport by TRANSFER (👉prices) or public transport.
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The Khlong Lat Mayom FLOATING MARKET (Bangkok)
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand (👉GUIDE to THAILAND), you need to know that it’s a country characterized by its numerous temples and historical monuments, its street and traditional food (like pad thai), its landscapes, and for being home to some of the world’s best beaches.
If you’re not a thai citizen, I recommend this link where you can check the ✅REQUIREMENTS and get the VISA. Also, so you can travel peacefully without worrying about your health and safety, here you’ll find a 💥 TRAVEL INSURANCE. And don’t forget to get 🏠10€/10$ DISCOUNT on ACCOMODATION!
Bangkok (👉GUIDE TO BANGKOK) is a bustling, cosmopolitan city where ancient tradition meets modernity. Here, you can enjoy Buddhist temples and towering skyscrapers, and witness the chaotic traffic and the tranquility of the canals.
Bangkok is a city with a lot to offer in terms of activities and sights. Its popular NIGHT MARKETS are a great place to shop and try all sorts of STREET FOOD, the FLOATING MARKETS offer a unique and picturesque experience, and the ruins of AYUTTHAYA are a great option to explore Bangkok history.
If you’re short on time, you can choose a 1-DAY TOUR that covers the city’s major attractions.
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ORIGIN OF THE FLOATING-MARKETS IN THAILAND
In Thailand, many localities formed on riverbanks since they were very practical for trading between towns and could navigate as a means of transportation.
The people who lived on the rivers and canals had a boat to move, fishing and from where to exchange goods.
Thus, floating markets began to appear, which continue to exist today.
KHLONG LAT MAYOM FLOATING MARKET
The Khlong Lat Mayom is a floating market that is a bit out of the center of Bangkok (although easy to get to), and receives less tourism than other markets that are more focused on foreigners.
WHAT WILL YOU FIND IN THIS LOCAL MARKET
Well, a lot of stalls. You will mainly see these products:
- Thai food: seafood and fish, salad papaya (very popular), grilled chicken, pork satay, and typical Thai sweets. To eat, there is a terrace along the canal with bamboo benches and tables.
- Fruits and vegetables: they sell both at the stops inside the market and from the boats.
- Nice clothes: not the typical clothes they sell next to the beach
- Plants
- Various objects to decorate, cook, etc…
BOAT TRIP ON THE CANALS OF BANGKOK
To finish off the visit to the Khlong Lat Mayom market, I recommend the boat ride from the pier that is next to the parking lot< /span> (if you say Pier in English, they will tell you).
The boat ride costs 100 BHT per person. It takes you for a ride through the canals and makes two stops:
- The first in a small floating market next to a temple where there is a black Buddha (yes, the brunette from Thailand)
- and the second in a farm of beautiful orchids, here I went crazy with excitement, because we got on the boat without knowing where they would take us and the surprise was enormously pleasant.
👉 In general, there are fewer people in the market than I imagined selling from the boats. But it’s a great experience, off the beaten path, and you get to see firsthand how Thai people live in the wooden canal houses.
Khlong Lat Mayom MARKET HOURS
This local market is open every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) between 9 in the morning and 6 in the afternoon.
If you dare to do the boat tour, go a little early because around 3:00 p.m. the second market was already half closed.
I also recommend the Wang Lang Market, and this other mineral and bracelet market in Bangkok, one of the best.
HOW TO GET TO KHLONG LAT MAYOM FLOATING MARKET
It is a bit far from the center of Bangkok, but it is easily accessible by public transport and taxi.
The nearest station is Bang Wa BTS(S12) on the Skytrain Silom line, and offers good views of the city to hang out until you reach your destination. The price depends on the distance you travel, but it costs about 20 or 60 BHT more or less.
Once there, look for a taxi (more than easy mission and, be careful, don’t forget to ask if they work with a meter), the journey should not cost more than 100 BHT.
Tours and activities in Bangkok
Bangkok is a very lively city with a diversity of activities and places to see and discover. Its markets are endless, and this city perfectly combines modernity with tradition.
Here is a list of the tours and activities that you can do in this city:
How to get from the airport to the center
In Bangkok, the airport that receives international flights is Suvarnabhumi and is located 30km from the city. I’ll tell you how to get to the city center in 4 different ways:
Shuttle/transfer
Taking a SHUTTLE (👉price) is the most comfortable option to get to the center of Bangkok, especially for large groups. They will wait for you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel.
One of the problems with taking a taxi in Bangkok is that sometimes they tell you that they know the hotel, but they take you to another hotel, charge you the fare and leave (it happened to me twice). The transfer is a more professional service and you will avoid problems.
Airport Rail Link (train)
The Airport Rail Link (👉price and schedule) takes you to Bangkok in 25 minutes. There are two main stations for commuters: Makkasan (to transfer to the subway) and Phaya Thai (connecting to the Skytrain). The single ticket will cost you 45BHT.
Taxi
At the airport exit, you’ll find taxis readily available to transport you to your hotel. However, it’s important to be aware of a potential issue with this service. Some taxi drivers have been known to overcharge unsuspecting tourists or even take them to the wrong hotel.
Therefore, it’s advisable to exercise caution and ensure that you choose a reputable taxi or consider alternative transportation options to avoid any inconvenience or scams.
bus
It is the cheapest option of the 4 (the ticket will cost you between 25 and 50BHT); but also the slowest, since it will take between 1 and 2 hours to arrive.
If you are staying on Khao San Road, there is a direct bus for approximately 60BHT.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a very large city with different areas and neighborhoods. I will tell you which are the most interesting, economical or fun to stay during your stay:
Khaosan Road y Chinatown
Khaosan Road is a bustling and renowned street in Bangkok, especially among backpackers who prefer staying in hostels and seeking affordable accommodation.
Just nearby is Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown, which has two significant advantages. Firstly, it’s located close to the central train station, and secondly, it’s adjacent to Yaowarat Street, where you can find a scrumptious street food market at night.
| Recommended Hotels | ||||
| Cheap and dorms | Once Again | Mad Monkey | Niras Bankoc | Back Home |
| Bed Station | Jam Hostel | Baan | Printing | |
| High budget | Chakrabongse | Riva | Arun | Ayathorn |
| Mid Range | Saran | Loogchoob | Ago | Happy Station |
Sukhumvit
This area is great – it’s well-connected and has lots of affordable options for shopping, dining, and lodging, all right in the heart of the city. Plus, it’s known for its lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and even a couple of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts.
| Recommended Hotels | ||||
| Cheap and dorms | Holy Sheet | Home16 | Cazz | Hide Bangkok |
| High budget | Sheraton | Okura | Eastin Grand | Sukhothai |
| St. Regis | Metropolitan | U Sathorn | Park Hyatt | |
| Mid Range | Blue | Gardina | Lancaster | Somerset |
Chao Praya River
I would suggest staying on the east side of the Chao Phraya River for your accommodation. The views are breathtaking, and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or dinner while watching the sunset. The only downside is that the area can be quite pricey.
Is it safe to travel to Thailand?
Thailand is a safe country to travel, although in recent years there has been an increase in robberies in Bangkok and the main tourist destinations. If you are a victim of robbery or accident, you should call the Tourist Police at 1155.
Remember to follow these recommendations:
- If you’re being robbed, don’t try to fight back physically.
- Also, don’t flaunt your wealth by wearing expensive jewelry or carrying designer purses.
- It’s best to be cautious when you’re out and about, especially at night, and stick to well-populated areas.
- Keep your valuables close to your body and out of sight to avoid being a target for thieves (your camera, phone,..).
- And finally, don’t carry your backpack on your back where it’s easy for someone to snatch it; carry it in front of you or use a belt bag or cross-body bag instead.
It’s legally forbidden to speak badly of the monarchy. Any criticism or insult will be considered a crime and leads to a long stay in prison.
When organizing your itinerary, you should avoid border areas with Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Laos; and in particular Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
Attacks, territorial disputes, acts of violence, land mines, drug and human trafficking are common in these areas.
If you’re thinking about renting a car or motorcycle while you’re abroad, don’t leave your passport as collateral. If there’s any damage, the rental company could use it as leverage to get money from you.
Remember that the accident rate for motorcycles is very high, and many of them end in the death of the driver. Wear a helmet, always check that the brakes are in good working condition (most of them don’t stop well), and get TRAVEL INSURANCE.
Eating vegan in Thailand
It’s easy to find local restaurants in Thailand that serve vegetarian and vegan dishes. You shouldn’t have any problem eating vegan, although it’s better to ask before ordering. Fish sauce and oyster sauce are used as the base of many dishes.
In October, a religious festival that is characterized by vegan food takes place. You’ll see that the street food stalls are decorated with yellow flags with red letters. This is an indicator of vegan food (and it’s very yummy).
Here are three recommendations, and in this link you can read tips for traveling vegan.
- Try to stay at hotels that are known for their vegan and vegetarian dishes. This is the best option and the most practical if you don’t want to have to worry about finding restaurants with vegan options.
- Before going on a tour that includes a meal, always mention that you are vegan or vegetarian, so they can adapt the food.
- Thailand is a country where you can find a wide variety of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) to prepare salads and fruit-based breakfasts.
- In any city or town you go to, you will easily find a market or street vendor where you can do your shopping.
What to visit in Bangkok
Apart from the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, Bangkok has much to offer visitors: from ancient ruins to its gastronomy, through bustling markets and Buddhist temples.
These are some places that I visited during my stay in Bangkok and that you should not miss if you visit this city:
Wang Lang market
Wang Lang is a 100% land-based market, central and well connected, perfect for spending the afternoon without many complications and buying dinner.
One of its strengths is food, especially if you like sushi! I know it may sound weird because it is a Japanese dish, but in this market they have huge shops with endless different types of sushi.
The other strong point is the lack of foreigners, since it is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya (the fat river that runs through the middle of the city). But this only implies advantages because, apart from being less touristy, it gives you the opportunity to take the ferry to cross the river!
bracelets and minerals market
It is a mineral market in Bangkok located inside the Sempeng market. The place is not fancy at all, it’s 100% local Thai.
They sell different things such as necklaces, pendants and bracelets made of minerals. You can also find animals or religious figures (many made with jade), fossils of different sizes (for example, shells), and minerals in a natural way (that is, in stone).
Wat Arun temple
Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya, the river that runs through Bangkok. It is made up of different areas and temples, with corridors full of very well preserved Buddha statues.
There is a central tower that impresses just by looking at it. It is covered with pieces of shells and porcelain in shades of white, green and blue. These were used on the ships that made the route from Bangkok to China.
To add more detail, it is also decorated with figures of Chinese soldiers and animals; and surrounded by 4 sculptures of the Hindu god Indra.
I hope you find this information useful and that you have a great time in Thailand!