Talat Nam Khlong Lat Mayom floating market in Bangkok, Thailand, is a paradise of serenity, a place where nothing seems to be in a hurry and no one seems like they are out to get you.
Boat vendors stir fry their dish of the day, store owners allow you to look without buying, and artists smile as you admire their handiwork.
Everything at Khlong Lat Mayom floating market fits perfectly together like an uncomplicated all-fun puzzle…with great food.
The outskirts of Bangkok are known for famous tourist attracting and more than chaotic floating market’s like Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating market. These markets are wonderful for the energetic, but don’t allow for peaceful relaxation. At Khlong Lat Mayom the case is quite opposite delivering a haven for relaxation and an opportunity to have a floating market experience minus a lot of the bustle and fuss.
When I was there a boat peacefully paddled down the canal and unless I hadn’t heard the chit chat or the searing sound of a flaming wok on board, I wouldn’t have ever known they passed.
Aside from food, other things like house plants, selections of fruit, and home furnishings were all for sale directly off boats.
The entire scene of boat vendors on the quiet and heavily forested Khlong Lat Mayom canal enthralled me and I immediately wanted to begin looking for a dwelling in the vicinity.
I sampled a number of dishes including guay teow khua gai fried noodles, and an uncommon traditional dish known as khao chair. It consisted of a bowl of ice water with smokey burnt rice at the bottom, and an accompanying dish filled with an assortment of candied fish and other unidentifiable things.
The market also contains a section away from the boats yet still surrounded by a network of canals and greenery. This section is filled with little stalls selling a range of things like clay statues, local Thai souvenirs, and antiques.
Cute restaurants on stilts, kids neatly painting pottery, and massage booths hovering over lush ponds, add to the comforting environment.
“I felt completely at home, like I could set up a lean-to on the banks of the canal and call it a night. I would naturally wake up early with the morning sunshine to a couple of tranquil boats eager but not pushy to sell me something delicious. I would get on a covered raft with a straw hat on and let a porter calmly paddle me through the vegetation while I sat cross legged, deep in thought. I could really turn this market into a lifestyle…”
Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is friendly, unobtrusive, and extremely soothing. Another bonus is that the market is located in Bangkok and doesn’t take long to reach.
How to get to Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Open only on Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. I would recommend getting there right about 10 am when things are just getting started.
The market is located on Bang Lamad Road which is off Bang Khae-Bang Bua Thong Outer Ring Highway,
Taling Chan, Thonburi, Bangkok
The easiest way to get there is to hop in a taxi from Wang Wian Yai BTS station and tell the driver to go to Talat Nam Khlong Lat Mayom. The taxi should only cost around 100 THB.
Check out the official directions from their website here and print off directions in Thai.
- Migration Mark
Love your description and the photos. I want to be there. Now.
Another BKK gem I’ve never heard of. And how’s that khao chair taste? Not sure if that dish would be on my list of things to try…
Mark, you always make me jealous of the pictures you take and the way you write. Terrific post again.
I felt like I was there for a little bit! I will travel to Thailand someday soon and will definatly check it out.
Glad to see Earl in the comments! If I had to follow just two travel specific blogs it would be yours and Earl’s.
Maybe you can take Colin Wright to that market (I think he is there by now). Say hi to him from Randall if you get together!
Thanks for the post. Will retweet!!
@Phil: Thanks, I would love to be there right now too!
@Earl: After a year of living in Bangkok, I’m still discovering all kinds of hidden gems and incredible local places to eat and hangout. Khao chair is not the best Thai food…but my girlfriend said it was very old style traditional…worth the sample!
@Randall: Thanks a lot Randall, those are encouraging words! I met Colin the other day for dinner, will contact him if I go to some other places. I’m on my way to Viet Nam this next week, so will be gone for about 10 days.
When are you coming to Thailand? Hope you are doing well, thanks again for the support!
You are awesome! I was just about to tell you to go to Lat Mayom and sample Urai’s noodle salad reputed to be the best dish of the market. If you haven’t done so, please try to. You won’t be disappointed. I know the vendor personally and I know how she puts her heart into making this. You’ll know it too, from the first bite.
Khao chae is an acquired taste. If you like it, you like it. If not, it’s a bit strange but not unpleasant. Traditionally it’s mostly available in summer and during Songkran (water festival).
Your webs are truly wonderful! Genial! Congrats!
Thanks so much again Sunee!
It has been a while since I’ve been to Khlong Lat Mayom and from your advice about eating Urai’s noodle salad, I want to go back soon!
Thanks for the information and for checking out my site!
Hi Mark,
Ur Videos are amazing. Beatiful. I 2 would like to join you
Regards,
Selva
Thanks Selva, appreciate you checking it out!
Mark
Just a one word Friend
Thanks!
Regds,
Saman
No problem, glad you enjoyed it!
This is the best article about the market I’ve seen. I live near there and assist with the English class on the klong when I can that’s taught by my Thai friend. On Saturdays at 1 PM there’s a very good boat tour that goes to a art colony on the klong from Taling Chan floating market for 99 Baht that’s also fun
Hey Jeff, thanks for stopping by – cool to hear you live near the market and assist with an English class. Thanks for sharing the boat tour info, that’s sounds like a lot of fun, will have to check that out next time I visit!
Do you know if Lat Mayom be opened on New Year Day 2013?
Jami G recently posted..Photo: Georgetown Cupcakes
Hey Jami, I’m really not sure. I guess your best bet is to check the official website and hopefully they will announce.
Hey Mark, thanks for sharing this. We took the family last weekend and had a fantastic time. Such a relaxing place, and a clean, tidy market with great food Can’t wait to go back again!
Cheers
Great to hear that Luke, glad you enjoyed it!
Can we rent out boats here?
Hey Cheryl, yes you can! I’m not sure how much, but you can take a boat around the canals.
Hi Mark, I’m taking my in-law to visit thailand in July. I came across your site and find it very useful. Thank you. I do have a question, which floating market would be best to take them to? I also have a 2 year old and a 5 year old who I will be bringing a long on the trip. They are well behave children.
May
Hey May, this Khlong Lat Mayom market is a very good option, good for kids too. Hope you enjoy it!
thank you Mark
may
Hey mark would you recommend this market more or bung nam pheng??
Hey Gazza, I think overall I prefer this one.
Hey Mark,
Have you tried the Bang Phli Floating Market. Would you recommend it?
Thanks,
David
Hi David, I haven’t actually been there, but if I go, I’ll definitely be posting something about it!