| Floating Markets
 There are several floating markets on various canals (khlongs) in Bangkok and other nearby provinces. The most well-known among these are:
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and
- Taling Chan Floating Market
Photos of this vibrant market featuring many small boats laden with colourful fruits and vegetables and paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats, are among the most often published in travel
magazines and brochures of Thailand.
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This large and popular floating market is about 80 km southwest of Bangkok in the Ratchaburi province. Work on construction of the Damnoen Saduak canal was carried out from 1855 to 1888 by King Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty to facilitate travel between Ratchaburi and Samutsakhon Provinces.
However, apart from providing transportation, the canal also provides adequate water for agricultural purposes. several feeder canals were dug off it by local farmers. Helped by this, fertile soil along the canal has been producing fruits and vegetables in abundance.
The waterways also lend themselves to trading as it is crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers in their small rowing boats selling and buying agricultural products and local food, mostly brought from their nearby orchards. This practice, over the years, created a huge floating market for the locals attracting tourist who wish to observe an ancient custom along with Thai traditional houses and a different way of life.
There are bus services to Damnoen Saduak from the Southern Bus Terminal on Borommarat Chachonnani Road starting at 6 a.m. Youshould get there early in the morning to avoid crowding.
- Taling Chan Floating Market
Operating only on Saturdays and Sundays between 9.00am and 5.00pm, the Taling Chan Floating Market is located opposite the Taling Chan District Office to the West of Bangkok and can be reached by air-conditioned bus No. 79. A boat tour of the canal is the best way to experience a lifestyle wedded to the river. One can also try out the various food dishes offered for sale from the rafts in themarket.
Also worth visiting are the Preservation Orchard, which distributes low-cost fruit trees to tourist, the Botanical Garden with its various flowering and ornamental plants.
There is a guided boagt trip to the Snake Farm operating every Sunday. The fare is 120 baht for adults and 60 baht for children.
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