Home to beautiful Buddhist temples, iconic pink taxis and many markets, Thailand’s Bangkok city has long been a popular travel destination. Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise with the city being home to many street markets and malls situated minutes away from many a city hotel Bangkok has to offer. However, it is Bangkok’s floating markets that offer the most authentic Thai shopping experience.

Bangkok’s rivers and canals have long offered a popular mode of transportation across the city and for centuries has played a crucial role in the country’s agriculture-based economy. Today Bangkok’s narrow canals are a major tourist attraction with riverboats transporting eager tourists past teakwood river houses built on stilts to the city’s famous floating markets. Although many of Bangkok’s floating markets lie away from the city they can nevertheless be easily reached. Consider staying at a centrally located hotel such as AVANI Atrium Bangkok and make your way to these iconic markets.

Visit the bustling Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa Floating Markets that are popular stops along the Bangkok river tour trail and watch vendors row their ‘sampans’ or river boats up to the ramps to greet eager locals and tourists. Donning wide-brimmed cane hats, these vendors sell wares ranging from local dishes to souvenirs aboard their small riverboats. Many of Bangkok’s floating markets are held during the weekend including the popular Taling Chan and Khlong Lat Mayom Markets where you can sit down at the floating platform for an enjoyable Thai breakfast. Among Bangkok’s newest, more tourist-centric floating markets are Kwan Riam and Bang Nam Phueng which include additional attractions like a children’s craft centre and makeshift spas.

At the river-side market of Ko Kret shoppers can spend an afternoon sampling authentic Mon food and purchase traditional Mon pottery. Experience local hospitality at one of the oldest floating markets in Bangkok, Tha Kha Market which lies in a small fishing village outside Bangkok that serves delicious Thai dishes. Beat the tourist trail and explore the quaint floating markets of Lam Phaya and Bang Khla and enjoy the company of friendly locals as they cook your favourite Thai dishes aboard their small wooden boats.