| What is it? |
Damnoen Saduak (ดำเนินสะดวก) is Thailand’s largest boat-based souvenir and food market! |
| What makes it historical? |
Thailand didn’t have much of a road system until 1967, so most transportation had to be done by water! Between 1866 and 1868, King Rama IV ordered a canal built to connect the major rivers of Mae Khlong and Tha Chin, and it came to be known as Damnoen Saduak, “Comfortable travel!”
Many floating markets sprung up around the edges of this canal. The main one was called Lad Plee and was in service for almost a hundred years before the roads made it obsolete. Luckily, the Tourism Authority of Thailand saw the potential in it as a destination spot and built a road to the canal so foreign visitors could get a feel for the old style of shopping by boat! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Go shopping at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
The roads in this area aren’t really named, but we parked across from the 7-11 near the Ton Khem Canal to board the boats: 13°31’12.4″N 99°57’33.6″E!
From Bangkok: ~59mi (95km) — 1hrs
From Chiang Mai: ~458mi (738km) — 7.7hrs
From Phuket: ~483mi (778km) — 8.1hrs
From Udon Thani: ~406mi (654km) — 6.8hrs |
| When should I go? |
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is open daily between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM! |
