Khlong Lat Mayom

Floating Market in Bangkok

A floating market close to downtown Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom is a great place to taste authentic Thai food, sweets and snacks and take a fun boat ride on the khlongs.

In Thai known as “Talat nam Khlong Lat Mayom”, the floating market is a myriad of smells and colors. A great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cheap food is sold from stalls and boats.

Floating market close to Bangkok

Khlong Lat Mayom is one of the closest floating markets to downtown Bangkok. At just ten kilometers West of the Chao Phraya river, Khlong Lat Mayom is a lot closer than the famous floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, Amphawa and Tha Kha.

Because it is so close to the city, lots of Bangkok people come here to relax and enjoy good food in the weekend.

Tourists taking a boat trip

Countryside feel

Although very close to downtown Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom gives the feel of being in the countryside, with its leafy canals and wooden houses on silts right next to the water.

In the khlongs or waterways are schools of catfish waiting to be fed, and if you’re lucky you will see a water monitor, a large lizard swimming in the water.

History of the floating market

Floating markets date back to the time when people lived around the rivers and khlongs and boats were the main means of transportation. In those days there was a vast system of khlongs around the Chao Phraya river. Local people used to buy and sell vegetables, fruits and meat from boats on floating markets across the city.

Boat trip on the canals

Boat ride on the khlongs

A fun experience is to take a boat ride on the khlongs around the floating market. Observe local life around the waterways, passing by wooden houses on stilts, small orchards and farms.

To take a boat ride, walk to the pier at the end of the market where boats are waiting. You can either join a boat with others or hire a private boat.

A joined one hour trip by longtail boat with stops at a local temple and an orchid farm costs 100 Baht per person. You may have to wait a while until the boat is full.

If you prefer a private trip, hire a boat at 800 Baht for an hour. Both paddle boats and longtail boats with an engine are available.

Food

One of the main draws of Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is the abundance of food. The market is the place to come to if you want to try authentic Thai food, sweets and snacks at low prices. You can get a bowl of noodle soup for as little as 30 Baht.

Stalls in large restaurants alongside the canal offer an enormous variety of food that looks very appetizing. A few vendors sell from their boats.

Food from all regions of Thailand
You can get food from all regions of Thailand. Try some chicken biryani from the South, khao soi from North Thailand or som tam papaya salad from the Northeast. Some other popular choices are chicken wings, Pad Thai, grilled squid, satay chicken, noodle soup and grilled chicken.

Seafood
If you like seafood you have a choice of squid, baby octopus, clams, crab, shrimp and fish. One of the most popular food options is salt crusted grilled fish called Pla Pao in Thai. A whole fish with seafood sauce will cost 250 to 300 Baht.

Fresh fruits
Depending on the season you can buy fresh fruits like papaya, mango or dragon fruit.

Thai sweets & snacks
Thai sweets and snacks are plentiful and come in many different colors and tastes. Try some sticky rice with coconut milk and sugar in a piece of bamboo or a few soft mini pancakes of various flavors and colors.

Vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables from their boats

Vendors selling from their boats

What else is for sale

Although mostly a food market, you can also buy among others handicrafts, souvenirs, knick-knacks and clothes at several stands.

Opening hours

Khlong Lat Mayom is a weekend market. It opens Saturday and Sunday from 9 am until until 4 pm.

Location

The floating market is located in Taling Chan district of Bangkok, West of the Chao Phraya river.

It’s about 15 kilometers from the historical district Rattanakosin and nearly 20 kilometers from Silom.

How to get there

Taxi
The most comfortable way to get there is by metered taxi. Depending on where in Bangkok you start from, the one way fare would be between 200 and 300 Baht.

Sky Train
If you are near a Sky Train station, take a train on the Silom Line and get off at Bang Wa station. From there, take a taxi. Taxi fare would be around 100 Baht.

MRT Subway
If you are near a MRT subway station, take a train on the Blue Line and get off at either Lak Song or Phetkasem 48 station. From there, take a taxi.

SRT Red Line
If you are near a SRT Red Line station, take a train on the SRT Light Red Line and get off at Taling Chan station. From there, take a taxi or tuk tuk.