Bang Namphueng Floating Market
oasis on the Chao Phraya

Bang Namphueng Floating Market in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakarn is another floating market that’s authentically Thai, just south of Bangkok, a green and pleasant getaway from the city.

The floating market is located in sub-district Bang Namphueng, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakarn province in a strip of land within the horse shoe meander of the Chao Phraya.

Bang Namphueng or Honey Village is just across the Chao Phraya River from Rama III Road, Bangkok.

Near the Phra Pradaeng town centre, the spectacular Industrial Ring Road suspension bridges cut across the base of the meander and span the Chao Phraya twice. 

Section of the Industrial Ring Road Bridges

The Phra Pradaeng peninsula within the river meander, 5 km long and 4 km wide at its widest, is hemmed in on three sides by the Chao Phraya. 

The base of this peninsula, its only land link, is almost being worn down by decades of erosion as if it’s being nipped by giant fingers aiming to turn Phra Pradaeng into an island in the river.

Phra Pradaeng is noted for its greenery and is often called the green lung of Bangkok. This photo taken at the mouth of the Chong Nonsi canal in Rama III Road, Bangkok speaks for itself.

Oasis on the Chao Phraya

The Bang Namphueng Floating Market is set is such an environment.

For homestay places in Bang Namphueng

To get there, please see map to Bang Namphueng Floating Market

This was the first scene that I encountered on arrival at the floating market. I thought that the only horse drawn carriages in Thailand are in the northern province of Lampang. They got them in Phra Pradaeng too.

Having an early lunch?

Compared to Taling Chan, the Bang Namphueng Floating Market is much bigger and more dispersed, with more shops, food stalls and dining areas. Just look at this.

Canal side dining

There are rows upon rows of tables


Have you got a reservation?

Served by numerous water borne kitchens.


Floating kitchens

Have a quick peek in the kitchen


What’s cooking?

The canal is much narrower here and this traditional Thai house immediately caught my attention. 

Thai house

In the space below the house there is a very pleasant coffee corner


Have a traditional brew

What’s more it’s a museum displaying vintage items.

It’s also a pleasant place to relax.

Spending a lazy Sunday

Bang Namphueng Floating Market is a very Thai and authentic floating market that’s not touristy. The kids will have a pleasant Sunday outing as well.

Kids having fun

Or take a boat ride along the canal.

Row your boat down the canal

Note the surrounding vegetation from one end of the floating market. The canal leading away from the market heads east towards the Chao Phraya opposite Wat Bang Na Nok where there’s a ferry crossing.

Then rest your tired feet in a very natural environment.

Nature’s park

Or if you prefer some help.

Traditional Thai massage

The striking feature of this area is the greenery all around, no high rise buildings, just a few single or two story houses.

Green Phra Pradaeng

After the floating market tour, I decided to take a motorcycle taxi to the pier at the end of Ratrangsan Road and then a ferry back to Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier in Bangkok to view the countryside and also to find a less roundabout way to get there.

On the way out I ran into a couple of horse drawn carriages taking visitors on a leisurely country tour. I wish I could have joined them. 
Ratrangsan is a narrow country lane flanked by plantations and natural greenery with the occasional house.

Sorry I am unable to give your any photos of the view during the motorcycle trip. As I was hanging on to dear life, I couldn’t reach into my bag to get the camera out.

Chaeng Pier at the end of Ratrungsan Road

Still I’m glad I came back this way. Otherwise I would have missed these contrasting scenes on the Chao Phraya; Khlong Toei the container port just north of Phra Pradaeng.

Bangkok’s busy port

The high rise luxury in Sathorn just 4 km further to the north seems like a world apart. That tall building in the centre of the photo is the 5 star Banyan Tree Hotel.

The skyscrapers of Sathorn

Back in the peaceful river houses in Phra Pradaeng, life goes on.


The village pier in Phra Pradaeng

Bang Namphueng Floating Market gives the local residents an outlet to market their produce to people in the area and surrounding areas who flock to it every weekend.

Local markets like these contribute to the internal economy so vital as a cushion against the fluctuations of international trade.

Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier - end of my journey Back to top of page

Map to Bang Namphueng floating market - how to get there


View Bang Namphueng floating market in a larger map

Back to top of page

These are some of the bus services to Phra Pradaeng

Bus no 82 – Bang Lampu – Phra Pradaeng
Bus no 138 – Mor Chit – Phra Pradaeng

If it’s convenient for you to take the Green Line BTS Sky Train to S8 Wong Wian Yai Station. Get off and walk towards Somdet Phrachao Taksin Road. Turn left into this road and take the southbound bus no 82 to Phra Pradaeng.

At Phra Daeng bus station take a taxi or song taeow (pickup) to the floating market.

If you are in a group you can charter a taxi and get there via Rama III Road - Industrial Ring Road Bridges - Suksawat Road - Nakhon Khuean Khan Road - Phetchahueang Road.

The most direct and fastest way to get there from Bangkok is actually the way I got back. Go to Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier, take a ferry across for 5 baht then take a motorcycle taxi from Chaeng Pier (Tha Chaeng) to the market for 30 baht. However this isn’t recommended for groups and families.

The market is open every weekend from 8 am till I am told now 3 or 4 pm instead of 2 pm. Anyway get there by late morning and you’ll be OK. Have a nice trip.

To return to Bangkok communities.

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