A visit to Thailand is never complete without a trip to a floating market- or so the boyfriend and I thought. Having had been to the ultra-famous but incredibly touristy damnoen saduak floating market, I was eager to explore somewhere more authentic and off-the-beaten track. I heard about an evening floating market in Ampawa, that seemed interesting and different from the usual fare. So in June during our whirlwind trip to Bangkok, we set aside a short 2D1N to steal away to the floating market of Ampawa, and the railway market of Maeklong.


How to go: There are regular van services costing 70 Baht from Victory Monument under Phaholyothin highway, Saphan Kwai side to Maeklong. some links here, and links here and here.. From Maeklong, take a songthaew (blue shuttle van/truck service) for about 5 baht to Ampawa (15-20mins ride). Some photos of the journey after the jump.

Accommodation: Stay at the cheap and cheerful Chababaancham, a laid-back no-frills resort by Ampawa river. Hotel review at the end of this post.