The colorful floating markets in Thailand are one of the must-see places in Thailand. The most popular one is the Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi. Here you will be amazed with a labyrinth of narrow canals congested with small, wooden boats, paddled mainly by female vendors dressed in traditional indigo colored farmer’s shirts, and conical straw-hats.

Despite its popurarity, it is still an attractive place to see a traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables etc., from small boats. Boat-to-boat trading like this is a common way of life of Thai people who live along the waterways. Its practice almost ceased 20 years ago when most canals were filled up with roads. Now many small floating markets are being revived as tourist attractions and trading places for the locals. The market is lively as these vendors paddle their boats up and down a canal vying for their customers.

The market starts as early as 6 am and fades around 9:30 am. Most of the goods sold are fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits and food. It makes a refreshing morning scene out on the water and gives tourists a chance to try delicious Thai food.

In addition to the market, traditional Thai stilt houses, lush green orchards and palm trees make the trip even more memorable. Local boats are avaialble for hire to explore the villages.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market is located in the south of Bangkok about 1 hour drive. A visit at the floating market is usually combined with a tour at the great Buddhist chedi in Nakhon Pathom or Rose Garden.

There is much for you to discover in Thailand. The country offers a huge range of new experiences in sights, sounds, tastes, and outlook. But different as it may be from your home, Thailand is probably the easiest exotic country for visitors. The people are friendly, leisure activities are well organized, the food is great and you receive excellent value for money.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Newcomers to Thailand sometimes overlook the kingdom’s rich geographical and cultural diversity. After all, one week in a five-star hotel in Bangkok or Phuket is unlikely to give a proper insight to a realm with so much to experience. But compared to the subtle variations found in many western countries, the people, culture and food of Thailand’s regions are strikingly different.

North of Thailand

In the north, with its exquisite temples and handicrafts, the rugged, forested mountains contrast with the fertile central plains, where rice is grown in paddies that stretch to the horizon. The northeast, known locally as Isan and punished by alternate drought and flooding, has some of the finest Khmer ruins beyond Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Though less developed than Thailand’s other regions, Isan offers a lot. Its food, dialect and music are easily discernible, and northeasterners possess a character all of their own. To the south are what sun seekers consider Thailand’s glory: stunning beaches, lush green islands and azure seas.

Floating Market

Visitors’ reactions to Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city, vary as much as everything it has to offer; some say you either love it or you hate it. Traffic, pollution, heat and noise are compensated by countless restaurants, historical and cultural treasures and exotic curiosities. Shopping facilities rival those of neighboring countries, and bargain hunting is the sole purpose of many trips to Thailand. Glitzy malls or crowded markets, the choice is yours.

Getting around the city is easy. Metered taxis are everywhere, as are tuk-tuks; three-wheeled buggies that constitute the city’s unique novelty ride. Local buses offer an interesting experience, and adventurers can take motorcycle taxis. The sky train offers a limited but scenic alternative.

Snorkeling in Thailand

Lasting impressions of any trip depend largely upon a person’s experience with the local people. Bangkok folk deal admirably with hectic city life, but it is in the provinces that real Thai warmth, charm and personality are found. The Thais possess an innate friendliness and are hospitable to all who pass through. To take it all in, a trip upcountry is a must for anyone wishing to see for themselves the true face of Thailand and all its treasures.