Travel Advice
Visiting floating markets in Bangkok on the riverside
River is a main source of life for Thai people as there is a way of life of the community in the river plains of Thailand. Building houses along the river bank produced river community called “Bang” such as Bang Jak, Bang Khen, or Bang Kapi, etc. As for community far from river is called “Ban” like what we use today.
Boat transportation led to simple trading called floating market. Locals carried their products on the boat and met somewhere like a temple or community for trading. They led a simple way of life until there was civilization. Then, boat transportation changed to cars. As commuting routes changed, the way of life in the river also disappeared for so long that many people do not know about it.
The floating markets now in many places are just a model of a real floating market. However, the sustainability of floating markets is still a concern since they should be operated by people in the community not business setting. This is what I would like to say before writing about 3 floating markets in Bangkok.
Kwan Riam Floating Market
The movies “Kwan Riam”, 2014 version, must have already been out of the cinema when this article was published. Some readers might have seen this movies and wondered whether it is related to Kwan Riam Floating Market. After checking, I could not find evidence showing relationship. However, the production team of this movies came here to perform the religious ritual required before filming.
Kwan Riam Floating Market opened since June 2012. It is located atBampenNua Temple and Bampen Tai Temple. There is SaenSaeb canal between these two temples. It is a man-made floating market, not an original one. However, it can be a good place for Bangkok people to relax.
To get there, you can park at both temples. There is a building in which products, souvenirs, and food are sold. At Bampen Tai Temple, there is Kwan Riam shrine at the new bridge of which the design is like an unfinished boat with only floors and structure for visitors to imagine.
In front of the shrine, there are some shows for tourists to see and enjoy as well as various kinds of food. Around the canal area, there are some paths leading to the canal called “boat alley” along which some shops are located. Beside the way, there are ducks and teals with information and knowledge for visitors to read.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market is a model of traditional water community market. Local people in this area have commuted by boats from the past until present despite of changing period. Boats are another option to avoid heavy traffic on the road.
KhlongChakPhra is a branch of Bangkok Noi canal. The market is in the front of Taling Chan District Administrative Office. It has been opened since 1987, established by Mr.PrachumCharoenlab, then Director of Taling Chan District with an objective to make it the center of general and agricultural products. There are also some rafts selling food and souvenirs along ChakPhra canal.
Now (2014), there is a new Taling Chan Floating Market opened at Taling Chan Temple for 2 years. There are no riverside rafts, only tables and chairs for relaxing. There is a Thai music show beside the market. There are not so many shops but it is not crowded and good for relaxing. From here, you can walk to the floating market which is in front of the District Office in
Klong Lad Mayom Floating Market
Klong Lad Mayom Floating Market is well known although it is a new market opened in 2004. It is not so crowded as the area is big and can be extended. It consists of Zone 1 to Zone 5. This market is not far from Taling Chan Market. Also, there is boat service between these two markets to provide more options for traveling.
From the internet, Klong Lad Mayom is the connection between Bang Ramad and Bang Phrom canals. However, when searching in Google Map, the name of the canal is shown as Klong Lad Ta Niao. According to MuangBoran journal, year 2006, issue 32.4, Klong Lad Mayom and Klong Lad Ta Niao were mentioned but we still cannot find out how these two canals are like. This is another problem regarding tourism information.
This floating market seems more like real water locals’ way of life as there are some boats stopping to sell vegetables and fruits. This is different from other canals that all boats are parked up along the bank to cook and serve customers sitting on the raft. However, at Klong Lad Mayom and Taling Chan, there are some boats passing, which makes it feel like a real floating market.
Concerns to Prevent Sorrow
After visiting many floating markets, I became concerned that they might not be sustainable. The selling point of culture is emphasized while traditional way of life has not been truly recovered. There is no real understanding but only shallow production, which may cause some problems in the future as people are getting tired of floating markets. The place is just a setting by making up an old style floating market. The sellers are not local people anymore. Some people are forced to move as some buildings are demolished and rebuilt into a new one. Therefore, whether floating markets will remain is not dependent on development and management. If they are made just for selling products to tourists, floating markets will become less popular and finally disappear. That will be sad. I hope it will not happen…
