Categories > Guides and Tips

Amphawa Floating Market What to See and Do

Amphawa Floating Market: What to See and Do

| Last Updated: March 2024

Among Bangkok’s night markets, Amphawa Floating Market stands out because, well, it floats! Just imagine the unique experience of shopping at stores on boats while cruising down a canal – what an experience!

Is that all there is to it, though? Well, in this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to get to Amphawa Floating Market and what adventure awaits you there. Read on!

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66), (034)

Location: Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport (118 km)

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)

Admission Fee: Free

Website: https://amphawafloatingmarket.org/

Time Zone: Indochina Time (UTC/GMT+7)

Amphawa Floating Market in a Nutshell

Amphawa Floating Market is a floating market located in Samut Songkhram, a small Thai province southwest of Bangkok. The market itself is over 100 years old and was once part of the many floating markets that sold on countless Thai klongs or canals. 

Decades before, Thai people traveled through waterways more than roads earning the country the moniker the Venice of the East. Amphawa Market operates mostly on weekends but it’s a spirited scene where sellers on boats shout from the top of their lungs. 

You can enjoy a boat ride on Amphawa Floating Market on a private longtail boat at a price. 

Best Time to Visit Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market is good to visit all year round, but the best time is during the dry months of January up to April. 

Firefly and sunset watching, for example, are popular activities in Amphawa Floating Market that won’t be available when it’s raining.

How to Get to Amphawa Floating Market

Taxi: A taxi is the most reliable way to reach Amphawa Floating Market from a key location like Bangkok. For example, public taxis in the capital city can take you here for a roundtrip price of up to 800 baht.

If your starting location is farther than Bangkok, it might be better to hire a rental car instead.

Bus: Traveling by bus is a cheaper alternative for going to Amphawa Floating Market. For example, riding a bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to this market only costs 70 baht.

There are buses from Chiang Mai (guide in Chiang Mai Thailand) that make a stop at Amphawa Floating Market but it’ll take you about 10 hours to reach this destination. 

Tuk-tuk: Tuk-tuks are a good option if your starting point is anywhere around Maeklong District and Amphawa District. It’s also great for short rides to the market’s nearby attractions.

Rental Car: Renting a car is the best option if you want to manage your schedule on the fly. With this, you can make as many stops and detours as you want on your way to Amphawa Floating Market.

Longtail Boat: Amphawa Floating Market is accessible by longtail boat through the Maeklong River. You’ll find plenty of longtail boats in Ratchaburi that can take you to this market.

What to See and Do in Amphawa Floating Market

Go on a shopping spree

Media credit: wonderland__shop

The shops at Amphawa Floating Market have everything you want: souvenirs, clothes, accessories, Thai street food, handicraft items, tropical fruits, and many more! There are even vendors selling goods from their boats which makes it a unique experience.

Book a boat tour around the Maeklong River

Media credit: natxnatthapol

Going to Amphawa Floating Market gives you the option to explore all nearby attractions by boat. It’s also the perfect place to take your boo on a romantic date.

There are boat tours that’ll take you to Buddhist temples, community centers, museums, and other floating markets. If it’s connected to the Maeklong River, the longtail boats can take you there.

You should visit during the afternoon to watch the beautiful sunset, but you can also go earlier if you want some down time before the market’s shops open.

Book a firefly boat tour at night

Media credit: kon.kaoli

Firefly-watching is a breathtaking spectacle and a well-known activity for those familiar with Amphawa Floating Market. Aside from the daytime boat tours, there’s a special firefly tour that’s available only during the night.

Fireflies dwell on trees near rivers and they provide a very stark contrast in the stillness of the night. Maeklong River is a great opportunity to watch fireflies flickering in the trees for a fee. 

Head to Maeklong Railway Market

Media credit: miaomsteh

Address: Mae Klong, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 35 242 286

Maeklong Railway Market is one of the more unique attractions near Amphawa Floating Market. It’s a quirky market where vendors sell their goods along the train tracks.

This is the only place in the area where you’ll see vendors picking up their goods to avoid an oncoming train. Even seeing the goods back on the tracks shortly after is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

For an even more unique experience, take a longtail boat ride from Amphawa to Maeklong Railway Market. Just be wary of the time or you can end up arriving too late when the shops are all closed. 

Stop by King Rama II Memorial Park

Media credit: puy7044

Address: Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Thursday – Tuesday)

Admission Cost: 60 baht

Contact Number: +66 35 242 286

Website: http://www.museumthailand.com/King_Rama_II_Memorial_Park

Stopping by King Rama II Memorial Park during your visit to Amphawa Floating Market is a must, especially since it’s only 6 minutes away on foot. The venue has traditional Thai houses and a museum dedicated to King Rama II and his achievements.

You could say King Rama II is akin to Queen Elizabeth of England who was patron of the arts. His long reign (1809 – 1824) was called the “Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature” as King Rama, a poet himself, was a patron of poets and the arts.

Our resident history buffs say it’s also worth visiting for the Rattanakosin arts and artifacts. Truly, there’s tons you can learn here about that particular era in Thailand’s history.

Visit Bangnoi Floating Market for its famous “Teochew roti”

Media from bangnoifloatingmarket

Address: สส.6002 Kradangnga, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram 75120, Thailand

Operating Hours: 

  • 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)
  • 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Sunday)

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 34 761 537

Website: https://www.facebook.com/bangnoifloatingmarket?ref=hl

If you love trying new food, this nearby floating market is a must-visit. Though Bangnoi is smaller in scale, you’ll still find plenty of shops selling all kinds of goods.

Think street food, fruits, vegetables, and Thai desserts. But, what most people come here for is the famous “Teochew roti” that’s packed with three different bean pastes.

The closest thing that comes to mind is braised duck and Teochew roti is nothing short of delicious. Grab the opportunity as this is only available in Bangnoi Floating Market. 

Relax at the spa in Amphawa Nanon Hotel

Media from amphawananon

Address: อัมพวา, 96 Prachaset Road, Tambon Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 

  • 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
  • 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 824 442 111

Website: http://www.amphawananon.com/

If you want to end your day with a relaxing spa treatment, there’s Amphawa Nanon Hotel. This full-service spa has many ways to relieve your stress: full-body massage, oil massage, aromatherapy, classic Thai massage, gold massage, and foot massage.

The hotel welcomes outside guests so you don’t need to book a room to access the spa. You can even bring someone with you because they have treatment rooms with two beds.

See Wat Bang Khae Noi’s carved teakwood structures

Media credit: nikonana20

Address: หมู่ที่ 7 43 Khaeo Om, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 90 445 1340

If you like seeing Buddhist temples as much as wood art, Wat Bang Khae Noi is the place to visit. Famed artisans from Phetchaburi carved the designs, so expect to see intricate teakwood structures and displays that’ll blow your mind.

The wood carvings on the temple walls are about Buddha’s life and his Ten Incarnations (Jatakas) so there’s a lot for you to learn. Just a note, at the core of Buddhist belief, is that one gets to be reborn after death.

Pay homage to Thao Wessuwan in Wat Chulamanee

Media credit: aokpaidernlens

Address: 93 หมู่ที่ 9 ถ. สมุทรสงคราม – บางแพ Bang Chang, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Daily)

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 34 751 188

Website: http://www.watjulamanee.com/news.php

Wat Chulamanee is a renowned temple, particularly for those who worship Thao Wessuwan, a very well-known image who protects against evil spirits and attracts fortune. 

You can offer roses and light candles or incense sticks for health and good fortune and get talismans for extra protection or as a cool souvenir item. 

If you like taking photographs, plenty of sacred relics and golden Buddhist statues can be seen within the temple grounds.

Look at the ancient murals in Wat Bang Khae Yai

Media credit: mrtirote

Address: 2 ต.แควอ้อม อ.อัมพวา จ.สมุทรสงคราม Khaeo Om, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 62 978 7982

Website: https://www.facebook.com/puuuu99999/

Wat Bang Khae Yai is the perfect place for history buffs and art lovers. This Buddhist temple is famous for its ancient murals depicting the infamous Burmese-Siamese war during the 18th century.

Moreover, the temple has structures and statues from the Ayutthaya period so you have plenty of things to be excited about. The Ayutthaya empire lasted over four centuries so its influence on today’s Thailand is massive. 

Check out Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram

Media credit: jaypan_z

Address: Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Admission Cost: Free

Contact Number: +66 34 752 847

Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about King Rama II and the royal family. This temple is said to have been his birthplace because his parents moved here after a fire hit their home near Wat Chulamanee.

This makes Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram an important piece in Thailand’s history that we think you’ll love. If it helps, the temple also has ancient murals, golden Buddhist statues, and other artworks from the Rattanakosin era.

FAQs about Amphawa Floating Market

Related topics