Located just west of Bangkok in the province of Samut Songkhram, Amphawa often see a large number of day trippers from Bangkok who often flock to the area on long weekends or short holidays. The village is about two hours away from the city by car, and there are minivans that depart from the center of Bangkok on a nearly hourly basis.
The biggest attraction in this village is of course the famous
Amphawa Floating Market, which gets flooded with visitors every weekend. The floating market is said to date back to centuries ago, and is a wonderful reminder of the canal side way of life that has been the sustaining force of this community for so many years. It’s important to give plenty of time to get through the entire market, as the lazy boat ride along the canal and constant haggling for the right prices is bound to take up a huge chunk of the day. Once the floating market shopping is done, walk over to
Wat Bangkae Noi and admire the intricate architecture and religious significance of the temple. Built in the late 1800s and having gone through several renovations and additions throughout the years, it’s certainly an impressive landmark and one that should not be missed on any visit to this village. Travelers who are principally staying in Bangkok and only visiting this village for the market can also take a short local bus ride to the neighboring city of Samut Songkhram, which has more to offer in terms of sightseeing and tourist activities.
There’s much more to see and learn about Amphawa, and the interactive map on this page is a great way to find out where the attractions and hotels can be found in this interesting city.
