Damnoen Saduak Things to Do

Yes, one of the fun experience of Damnoen Saduak is to have your breakfast. Even if you are not on a boat, you can buy noodle from the sellers who parked their boat. You can then sit on a concrete steps, and enjoy your noodle. It is a fun thing to do.

By the way, the portion is really little. So, you can try out a few different food around here.

Even if you decided not to take a boat trip, you can still do some shopping from the boats that are parked on the side. And don't forget, this is a 'floating' market. That means, for your convenience, you can ask the sellers to the paddle their boats near to you if you are interested to buy from them.

There is no doubt that the main attraction of Damnoen Saduak is its floating market. But if you look beyond the market, you will be able to see how the local live along the canals and river. Look at the photo, do you notice the electrical poles that are so similar to those we see in any city street? For the locals, the canal/ river is the 'main street' of their town.

This bridge is a good place to take photos of the floating market. From here you can look at the market or the boats bellow. Of as you can see from this photo, many people pose for a photo opportunity.

To fully enjoy the trip at the floating market, you have to get on a boat. Let it be a motor boat or paddle boat. That way, you can get up close and personal to the stalls. Even you don't buy anything, it's fun to look at.

In touristy places such as Damnoen Saduak this is more important than ever: haggle, bargain, don't go for the first price you are being told. Especially here the prices they tell you are much too high. They rely on people not knowing how to bargain, because a lot of the tourists that come here, come down straight from Bangkok and are often first time visitors with no experience.

In the end you pay what is right for you. There is a limit how far down they will go, then there is a point where they will not sell you the item.

For example, my friend wanted to sell a painting on cloth. First price she was told was 3600 Baht. That would be around 95 USDollar. She offered 600 Baht, after some haggling they were at 900 Baht, which is in my opinion still a proud price, but they were both happy with it.
So the thing is: there are no over the thumb rules for how far down you go with your first offer (as long as you try not to insult them).

The picture shows the souvenir stalls along the canals. Sellers will try to fish for your voat with long poles with hooks. Have a look, if you are not interested, shake your head. They are not really offensive here (at least not before 10 o'clock - lol)

In all the time we have travelled in Thailand, we have not once experienced stomach troubles once.
And we often eat at food stalls or on markets, not only in restaurants.
Ok, I do look on some things: is it cooked fresh (right before your eyes is best)? How do the things look they do put in? Do other people also eat there? Then I do normally not eat salad or things that are washed in water and not cooked afterwards. Though I am sure, i also did that already and had no problems.
To make it short: DON'T BE AFRAID OF TRYING!
Thai cuisine is excellent. I have not yet found something that I did not like - even if the taste was unusual for european mouths...

On Damnoe Saduak market there are lots of people selling food. Ingredients, fruits and already cooked meals, ready to eat.
Packed in Banana leaves, hot, fresh sweets in boxes, coconuts opened before your eyes.... I think my mouth is watering again.

Go on and try it. Just wave to the seller you would like something from. And don't forget to haggle....
We had a fresh coconut from this nice older Thai lady. I found her so cute, I asked whether I could also make a picture of her.

A visit to the floating market is fun and memorable. It's another experience since we will not experience it everyday. It's colorful. So, don't forget your camera. Take pictures as much as you can, you will never regret.