Bangkok to Mae Klong and Amphawa Markets: Private day trip

The Mae Klong Railway Market is commonly called the ‘Life-Risking Market’ because it’s built against the tracks of the Mae Klong-Ban Laem railway. Eight times a day, vendors have to rush to close their umbrellas, and move goods out of the way of passing trains. Once the train passes, everything is put back in place. The market’s main offering is fresh seafood, but you can find a variety of other goods, including fruit, meat, dried foods, and prepared snacks for you to munch on as you wait for the excitement of an oncoming train.

The Amphawa Floating Market is the second largest floating market near Bangkok, and unlike Damnoen Saduak, receives a large number of Thai visitors. For locals, the main draw is the fresh seafood grilled on boats moored around the central bridge. Prawns, shellfish, and squid take centerstage alongside traditional Thai streetfood, with restaurants and stalls spilling into the streets lining the river. While most visitors rarely leave the river, just a few hundred meters away is the amazing Wat Bang Koong - a temple that’s been entirely engulfed in the roots of a tree, and has a small zoo on its grounds. While you can experience the floating market on foot, you can also join a boat tour to zip between the market and some nearby attractions.