Thailand’s capital city Bangkok is undoubtedly a haven for anyone who’s got the beans and means to shop. Anyone who visits the country is tempted by the variety of superb choices available for shopping, from the traditional Thai markets where you can pick up anything from handicrafts to silks to jade Buddha statues, to the more modern shopping malls, which offer some of the finest selections from the international catwalks. Deviating from the general norm of shopping in stores or road side markets, Thailand offer its visitors an entirely new experience in indulging in a bout of shopping at their famous floating markets, and the Taling Chan Floating market is one of these unique locales that proffer an intriguing experience for shopaholics of all stripes.

The best thing about the Taling Chan Floating Market is that it is still not overly touristic so if you want to float waters that are far away from the beaten track, then it is a place you must visit during a Bangkok shopping excursion. The Taling Chan market is located on the Khlong Chak Phra canal, and it is open during weekends from 8.30am to 4pm. The market is fairly new to tourists, but it is one of the most authentic markets in the city, and this is confirmed by the proliferation of local shoppers, so you know it’s the genuine article.

Fresh vegetables, juicy tropical fruits as well as colourful flowers and plants can be found around the market’s many goods. You can also buy freshly caught fish or pick up some snazzy local trinkets that are ideal for souvenirs or small gifts to take back home from the floating market. To add to the animated ambiance of the market, traditional Thai music is performed live at the Taling Chan Floating Market so that you can shop while being entertained. Once you’ve exhausted your cash, you can jump into a boat and take a trip along the canal, which will reveal a host of quaint little fishing villages with neat little gardens and dainty houses. Floating markets are an old way of life for the Thai people and it is rapidly deteriorating, leaving only a very few remaining for visitors to enjoy so don’t miss out on your chance to visit this one-of-a-kind locale.

After a successful day of shopping, relax and unwind in some quality Bangkok serviced accommodation options available in the city proper, such as the Citadines Sukhumvit 16 Bangkok that is set in the bustling neighbourhood of Sukhumvit. This superb Bangkok Apartment Hotel is a great option for both business and leisure visitors to the city, as it is located minutes away from the best shopping malls in the district such as Robinson department store and Emporium centre.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+