Amphawa Floating Market Review @ Bangkok, Thailand

An hour and a half outside of Bangkok in Samut Songkran province, Amphawa is an afternoon market that is very popular among Thais. The market itself sits on quaint Amphawa canal, part of a network of more than 300 canals jutting out of the Mae Khlong river. Unlike the famous one at Damnoen Saduak, this one doesn’t start to get going until the late afternoon.

Many shops are congregated around the floating market’s walkways. Most of them are souvenir stores and you can buy t-shirts, notebooks, dresses, handicrafts, traditional hats, bags, flip-flops, cups, pens and many other small objects.

Portrait drawing for you?

On steps leading down to the water, groups gather to buy softshell crabs and fresh som tam from sellers floating by. Streams of people also stopping frequently to sit on benches and eat seafood, desserts and other local treats.

There are also other cool coffee shops, restaurants and pubs. Visitors can enjoy a cosy atmosphere and music broadcast by the community members, explore the market, have food etc.

Thailand got many talent!

This grandma is already 78 years old and she can sing the whole night!

We took a 15 mins car ride to a famous restaurant near Amphawa called “Krua Kru Hom”. This restaurant is even featured in Medan Guide.

One iconic dish in this floating marketing is “Pla-too”. It is actually kuning fish placed in bamboo baskets. During December, Thai celebrates a 10-day “Pla-too Festival” where they will use the fish to cook over 50 dishes.

Thais believe that the pla-too here is the best because when the fishes come to shore at 4am, the fishermen don’t use machine to catch them. Instead, they use big fishing net, hence fishes don’t die of shock.

Instead of prawn rolls, we had crab rolls.

Curry crabs

Tom Yam should be mild hot and sour, but not very very spicy like some of the restaurants in Singapore. Here, the tom yam is creamy, sour and rich, and they use river prawns to cook.

After dinner, we took a boat ride to see the incredibly popular fireflies. Boat trips to nearby temples are touted throughout the market and cost 50 baht a journey.

We woke up at 6am in the morning to do something meaningful! This is one floating market where you will be able to witness that unique scene where Buddhist Monks seek alms from the boats early in the mornings when it is peaceful and serene.

I suggest that you should spend a night at Amphawa because there are just too many things to see. There are many homestays and small hotels to choose from. We stayed in Thanicha Healthy Resort, very nice environment and there is wi-fi.

Amphawa Floating Market is only opened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 2pm to 10pm.