Day trip from Bangkok

Even the best cities in the world deserve an escape. Thailand has such a rich culture and identity, but it’s hard to absorb it all in Bangkok. Like any big city, Bangkok has been infused with international chain restaurants, Western fashion brands, and activities that appeal to any international traveler. It is an easy city for tourists to enjoy, but the urban environment is hardly reflective of Thailand’s history. I was excited join a tour with some colleagues and visit a few markets and temples in the outskirts of Bangkok.

Our first destination was the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which was like a photographer's paradise. Shortly after arriving, we all piled into boats and set off for our shopping adventure on the river. Our driver navigated the busy waterway while we looked around in awe. Some of the vendors sat in narrow boats and sold everything from fresh fruits to fried noodles. The river was also lined with many small shops. To be honest, there were so many things surrounding me that I found it difficult to focus. 

View of the Damnoen Saduak floating market from a bridge over the river

Whenever one of us showed even the smallest interest in anything on display, the shopkeeper would pull in the entire boat using a long stick with a hook attached. It is not possible to get out of the boat and walk around the shop, so all you have to do is point at the things that interest you. The whole experience felt like full-service window shopping. It’s hard to say 'no' to a purchase when you look at the faces of people who have clearly lived a very difficult life and who work hard for every dollar they earn.

Shopkeeper at the floating market

Shopkeeper at the floating market

Two women fill their boats with fruit to sell along the river

There were a lot of traffic jams on the river, while the boats stopped for passengers to buy things. It was obvious that this market no longer caters to locals, but it was fun to get a hint of what the floating markets are like for people living in rural Thailand.

View of the river from our boat

A woman travels down the river

After the first floating market, we had lunch at a very local seafood restaurant located in Don Hoi Lot. The restaurant literally stood above the water on a wide dock, where we could enjoy unobstructed views of the river. Occasionally, a loud motorboat would pass with a lone fisherman on board, but otherwise, the atmosphere was completely peaceful. The restaurant required us to leave our shoes at the entrance and for everyone to sit cross-legged on the floor. I was constantly fidgeting because my knees are not used to this seating arrangement, but the authentic flavors and gracious service made up for the sacrifice in seating comfort. 

One of many seafood dishes served to us at lunch

Next, we stopped at Maeklong's Umbrella Market (also called the “railway market”), which was an experience I will never forget. This market was set up alongside railroad tracks and the vendors sell mostly food items that include seafood, produce, and raw meats. At first glance, it looks just like another local market. However, several times each day, the vendors are required to pull back their displays in order to allow a train to pass.

Railway Market

Railway Market

A few minutes before the train arrived, a public announcement was made (in Thai), and suddenly, we witnessed the quiet commotion of the vendors raising their awnings and pulling back their displays. They knew exactly which items would remain safe beneath the train and how far to pull back their displays in order to avoid getting hit.   

Railway market prepares for the train to arrive

I don’t think any of us expected just how wide this train was because we were all in awe as it passed within inches of the food. Within seconds of the train passing, all of the awnings were down again and the market was back in business. 

We all agreed that we would not be excited to eat at any of the nearby restaurants, out of concern that they are serving produce that was literally sitting underneath the passing trains. Sometimes in a foreign country, we are forced to put blind faith in restaurants and just hope that we have strong enough immune systems!

Next, we visited the Wat Bang Kung - also known as the "temple in a tree". I’ll be honest- when I first heard about this place, I imagined it to be more like a tree house. In reality, it is just a regular temple that has become encased in the roots of nearby banyan trees. Outside the temple, people lit candles and prayed quietly. Once inside, they paraded around the Buddha – offering gifts and peeling off small pieces from the gold gilding. 

Outside Wat Bang Kung Temple

Adjacent to the temple is a memorial to commemorate a battle between Siam and Burmese invaders in the 18^th century. Apparently it was an important victory that allowed Siam to maintain control of a nearby naval base (or something like that), but to us, it just looked like a series of strange statues in various martial arts poses. I found the statues to be a little tacky, but they were at least worth a quick photo.

This is Thailand's idea of a memorial

Our final stop for the day was at Amphawa Floating Market. Unlike the market in the morning, this was not entirely located along the river. Instead, the vendors set up on both sides of a narrow road, selling mostly prepared food items. Along the river, there were a few boats selling food, but they were docked and selling to people who walked along the sidewalk. It's a good thing we had just enjoyed a large lunch, because otherwise, I would have wanted to try almost all the food for sale.

One of the boats selling food at Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa market felt less touristy than the one we visited in the morning, but it was also a lot more crowded. After a quick walk through half of the market, we were all tired of being bumped every 10 seconds, so we stopped at a little waterfront café and had a makeshift happy hour to pass the time. With a beer in one hand and shaved ice in the other, it was a nice way to end our very full day of sightseeing. 

Overall, we had an awesome excursion out of the Bangkok. In some cities, day trips involve relaxation and enjoyment of the relaxing countryside. However, that's just not the way things work in Thailand. Everywhere you go is full of life and energy. Anyone who travels to Bangkok should certainly venture out of the city to see these unique sites, but they shouldn't necessarily expect a quiet and relaxing day. Relaxation can be enjoyed on the Thai beaches!

Enjoying the floating market with some colleagues!