Amphawa Floating Market

AMPHAWA is the place Thai tourists come to experience a floating market.  Just less than 2 hours drive from downtown Bangkok, Aphawa floating market is an experience and different from the equally famous and picturesque Damneon Saduak which is nearby.  Unlike the latter, this floating market doesn't start to get going until the late afternoon and last till late evening.

Amphawan: early morning alms giving and evening fireflies cruise

 Touring the market is better done by foot than riding the boat.  Walking through its canal, you will experience a number of vendors with their food stalls along the river. Real good food indeed --- grilled fresh seafood, noodles, etc.  Grab your seats facing the river and you will see the food vendors down the river in their boats preparing food. They cook or grill your food as you order.  People cooking in the boats have a pully system hooked up or a server with a basket or tray attached to a long pole where they put the cook food to delivery your food to a central server up your platform waiting to deliver your food to your table.They are not pricy. For instance a plateful of grilled fresh scallops (of about 6 pieces) is sold at Bhat 40 (or US$1.20) and it comes with a sweet but spicy sauce. We had grilled squid and fish too.  We were five in the group and spent only Baht 750 (US25) for our meal less the cold beer and drinks which we paid separately to another vendor nearby.  There are other bigger (and more comfortable) restaurants in the canal that offer real kitchen-cooked food and cuisine.

There are many stores along the canal which double up as either hotels or private residences of local people. The place is generally crowded but peaceful. The trick is to come early and save yourself from the heat of the day.

In the early morning, starting at 5am, monks row up and down the canal collecting food during their alms round.  You ought to be there early in the morning to witness this tradition. You can do your own offerings and buy your goods already packed in small plastic bag for Baht 40 (US$1.20), The vendors will just be too willing to teach you how the offering is made ---  go on barefoot and kneel, raise your offering to the level of your head, hand your offering to the monk by putting it their metal container, do the "WAI" (putting your hands together as in praying)  with your head slightly bowing. . . monk will recite his prayers and moves on.  You can also make your offering with cash.  Some monks acknowledge your offering with a small souvenir given you in return.

Alms to Monks

Monks come walking or by boat for early morning alms

All monks go out for alms everyday around 5am to 6am. They carry their bowl with both hands and close to the belly. In practice, the monks walk in straight line one by one.  The oldest one or the temple "abbot" leads the monks.   The other one follow (all in barefoot)  by seniority age spent in Buddhist community. Thai women, kneeling, or Thai men, standing, put food inside the monk's bowl. The women cannot touch the monk or his belongings.  The monks do not thank for the food as they give opportunity for the laypeople to do good deeds and earn merits.  Giving out for alms is called "Bin Tha Bat".

Boat ride and Rates
Boats for hire are readily available in the board walk. Normal commercial boat fare is Baht 60 per person for an evening firefly cruise which starts at 7:30 pm right at the board walk of the Floating Market.  Private boat for an hour to see the fireflies costs Bhat 600 (US$20) for the whole boat which can seat 12 persons. Boat hire prices vary depending on where you want to go and for how long.  Here are the published prices ($1=Baht 30):
                 (1) Evening firefly cruising     - Baht 60 per person or Baht 600 for the whole boat
                 (2)  4 hour cruise on the Maeklong River including up to 9 temple stops - private charter
                           Baht  900
                 (3) 2 hour cruise on the Meeklong River with up to 5 temple stops - Baht 50 per person or
                           Bhat 400 Baht privater; Baht 900 charter
                 (4) Tour Temple Wat Chulamani and Nature Cruise - Baht 50 per person or Baht 500 for
                             private charter
You can also do your advance reservation through Tel 086-7622775
       
Hotels
The are plenty of hotels lined up in the Amphawa floating market itself.  It is best to reserve ahead through the internet especially during peak season.  

I.  My friends suggested this hotel right at the Amphawa floating market:
                       Thanijha Healthy Resort
                        261 Anphawa Samutsongkhram Thailand 75110
                        Tel.+66  034-725511; +66 089-1045444
                         www.thanicha.com

This hotel has ample parking space for its clients. It has a restaurant fronting the river where breakfast of hotel guests is served daily. Non-holiday published room rates are as follows (all in Baht with exchange rate of US$1 = Bhat 30):

                                     Friday                 Saturday               Sunday & Weekday
Standard                       1,590                  1,690                          1,390
Deluxe                          1,890                  1,900                          1,690
Family Room                3, 190                 3,390                          2,490
Family Suite                 3,590                  3,790                          3,190
Mini                              1,500                  1,000                          800
Extra Bed                         500 for all rooms; 250 for child (6-12 years old)
(above rates include breakfast, tax and service charge)                 

II. Our group stayed at Yao In Chan Hotel, located approximately 4 km away from the floating market.  We are happy with its facilities (free WIFI) and service. Hotel is very clean and relaxing.  Hotel opened 6 months ago and has only 11 rooms --- 6 rooms beside its lagoon, 3 rooms on the second floor and two-rooms (which can room 6 persons) adjacent to each other in a cottage-type unit near the pool.  All rooms, except the cottage,  have spacious balcony. Most rooms come with two twin-sized beds. Hotel is very exclusive and family-run. Son, PUN is the front office manager.  He is speaks English well and is very amiable. The mother has a small art gallery behind and all rooms are fitted with her paintings.  The Father served our welcome drink in our room and gets up early morning to attend to guests going to the floating market to see the monks. Rooms are equipped with huge flat TV with cable and English channels, ice bucket,  coffee maker with coffee and tea bags and a small refrigerator with complimentary water, soft drinks, snacks (Kitkat, chips, etc). Hotel has spacious parking across the street. Hotel has very good review and is highly recommended. Weekend Rate per night: Baht 2500 ($83)with breakfast (american or thai). Rate is lower on weekdays. Note: Hotel does not have a regular restaurant for lunch or dinner. No room service either. Only cash payments.  You can reserve through internet or call Pun:
                          Yao In Chan Hotel
                           95 Moo7, Ban Prok
                           Amper Muang Somutsongkorn
                           Amphawa 75000, Thailand
                           Tel. +66 34-712-175; mobile (Pun) +66 82-363-2880
                             www.facebook.com/yaoinchan

Yao In Chan Hotel - good for a relaxing weekend

                             

III,  The Grace Amphawa Resort - located also near Yao in Chan Hotel or roughly 6 kilometers to the Amphawa Floating Market.   This luxury resort is clean and facing the Mae Krong River.  Rooms are equipped with jacuzzi, television, refrigerator, hot water shower and western style toilets.  The resort offer free wifi internet access. It has a restaurant, swimming pool, club house and Thai massage.  Published room rates are as follows (all in Thai Baht - US$1 = Baht 30):

                                           Sunday to Friday              Saturday and Long Weekend
 Deluxe River Wing               2,500                                         3,500
River Wing                            2,000                                          2,500
Deluxe Canel                         2,000                                          2,400
Superior                                 1,500                                          1,600
(2 person occupancy; extra bed Baht 500 per person; rates include breakfast)

To book or make reservations (look for Ms. Pen)

                               The Grace Amphawa
                               26 M. 8 T. Banprok Samutsongkhram
                               Samutsongkhram, Thailand 75000
                               Tel. 086-365-9522; 086-365-9511
                                www.thegraceamphawa.com

Parking in Amphawa Floating Market:
Use the parking area of Thanijha Hotel. Its free but closes at 10pm.  Area has other paid-parking facilities.

Options on how to go to Amphawa:
1.  Driving will take approximately 2 hours. Good highway. You can stop at road side for sea salt, dried fish and other local products.
2.  Day trip is possible. Take a taxi from Bangkok. You can contract them at the rate of Baht 1500 to 2000 ($50 to $67) inclusive of toll fees. You can leave Bangkok early in the morning and return the same day.
3.  Use passengers vans from Victory Monument.  Inquire on schedule and rates.

Other places of interest in Amphawa: (located about  2 minutes before the Amphawa Floating Market)

           Bencharong Wares 
           Ban Pinsuwan Benjarong
           32/1 Moo 7, Bangchang, Amphawa
           Samutsongkram 75110
           Tel. 034-751322
           Email: sun_ya_sweet@hotmail.com

Bencharong wares are ceramic enameld with 5 colors.

Place is famous for the Benjarong porcelain which has unique design and patterns, a combination of Chinese and Thai artistry.  The manufacturing shop is open each day, except Sunday, until 5pm.  Store however is open 7 days a week and up to 6pm.


February 2013
Updated on 8 March 2013