Price: Free
A khlong commonly refers to a canal in Thailand. These canals are fed by the Chao Phraya River, the Tha Chin River, the Mae Klong River, and their tributaries. Everybody loves floating markets, locals (and tourists) flock to them on weekends! Local market culture is deeply rooted in Thai daily life and eating out is normal part of life in Thailand. Thai food is so varied and interesting that you could explore it forever and always find something different.
Khlong Lat Mayom is one of the three floating markets located close to Bangkok, no more than twenty kilometres (30 minutes) from the city. Khlong Lat Mayom has the charm and authenticity of a local market and you might be one of the only foreigners amongst all the locals. Kids will love the markets too, there’s a range of things to do and see nearby which will keep them interested.
Damnoen and Amphawa Floating Markets have a busy feel complete with traffic jams of long tail boats while Klong Lat Mayom is a much narrower canal with a more authentic look and feel. Most vendors and eating areas are on land alongside the canal so you will be climbing in and out of boats on your visit. Beautiful strings of flags, tied to the thatched roofs covering the markets, stretch over the canal.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is one of the famous floating markets that’s reasonably close to Bangkok. Compared to the busier Amphawa Floating Market and Lam Phaya Floating Market, Khlong Lat Mayom has a more relaxed and beautiful atmosphere, easy going nature and great variety of local food.
Canals have historically been important as transport in Thailand and living and selling stuff alongside the canals was once the norm. Most of the canals have been filled in to make way for roads now as most Thai people travel by car or bus. Only some of the canals are still in use for transportation, and floating markets persist as they have long been so much a part of Thai life.
Khlong Lat Mayom first opened on November 24, 2004 in a market area of around 30 acres. One of the founders says, ‘the floating market is owned by everyone, so no rent fees are collected.’
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is for locals who wanted to have their own community market of fresh fruits, vegetables and local food and desserts but they love to see tourists coming to visit their little patch.
Things to do and see around Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
- Boat Ride Tour – Visit important temples and drift by some beautiful homes and gardens, some of which you can stop and visit. (150 Baht/30mins)
- Feed the fish – Buy bread from vendors near the canal to feed the fish.
- Sheep farm – Visit a farmyard and feed the sheep.
- Horse riding.
- Visit a local neighbourhood garden and take in the local way of life.
What kinds of food can you get at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market?
- Pla Pao – Thai salt crusted grilled fish (180-250 Baht)
- Gong Obwhen Sen – Glass noodles and shrimp are cooked together in a pot (150 Baht)
- Gai Gala – Thai grilled chicken from the south of Thailand (25 Baht)
- Fried fish-paste balls
- Kanom Tarn – A moist sponge cake topped with shredded coconut.
- Luk Chup – Shaped mung bean candy that looks like different kinds of fruit and vegetables. They smell sweet and taste great.
- Foy-Thong – translates to “golden threads”. A sweet snack or dessert made of strings of egg yolk boiled in sugar.
- Ka-Nhom-Buang – Rice flour crepe with syrup egg yolks, foy-thong and dried persimmons.
- Kanom-Piak-Poon – Pandan sweet pudding with a sticky jelly texture and not too sweet.
Things to remember on your visit to Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
- Visit the local houses and village first before it gets too busy.
- Arrive around opening time, it gets busy around lunch time.
- Khlong Lat Mayom is a weekend market, open Saturdays and Sundays.
- You can spend a couple of hours here then move to the Taling Chan Floating Market, ask your guide for the best way to approach this.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located at 15 30/1 Bang Ramat Rd, Khwaeng Bang Ramat, Khet Taling Chan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8am – 5pm.
For market enthusiasts, some other floating markets you may like to try around Bangkok are:
- Taling Chan Floating Market, is in Bangkok city, open on weekends and some public holidays.
- Damnoen Floating Market, 100km west of Bangkok city, open everyday.
- Amphawa Floating Market, 100km west of Bangkok city, open on weekends and some public holidays.
