A bargain-hunter's paradise

The Amphawa Floating Market, located 50 kilometers outside of Bangkok, is a major draw for foodies. Restaurants, food stalls and moored boats gather to sell Thai snacks such as grilled prawns and salted fish. [Photo by Lin Qi/China Daily]

The Amphawa Floating Market is located about 50 kilometers outside Bangkok, and has become a place where Bangkok residents love to spend their weekends.

Foodies especially find Amphawa irresistible: Restaurants and food stalls are massed on the riverbanks of the Amphawa canal selling Thai snacks, grilled prawns and salted fish. As someone who was raised in a coastal city in southern China, I felt my mouth watering at the sight of marinated crabs, mussels and shellfish.

There are plenty of restaurants for those who prefer dinning in a comfortable environment. But since it's a floating market, make sure you try the appetizing seafood served from the moored boats.

The many bridges across the canal offer a grand view of the lively market that stretches as far as where Amphawa meets the Mae Khlong River. One day is enough to cover the whole market, while two days will enable visitors to enjoy a boat trip to see fireflies at night.

There are hostels available for those traveling on a budget. If you stay for a weekend, you should also check out the Maeklong Train Market, or the Umbrella Pulldown Market, as locals call it.

At first, it just looks like an ordinary market where locals purchase ingredients for their daily meals. But when a train approaches, the storeowners pull back the awnings and shop fronts. Once the train passes, they're put back into their original place.

Visitors stand by the tracks, snapping pictures and cheering while the train narrowly passes by them.

IF YOU GO

Chatuchak Weekend Market

9 am-6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays.

Take the BTS sky train and get off at Mo Chit Station, take Exit 1 and just follow the crowd; or take the MRT subway and get off at Chatuchak Park Station.

Rot Fai Train Market

5 pm till midnight, Thursdays to Sundays.

Take the BTS sky train and get off at Udom Suk Station; then take a taxi and tell the driver to drive to Seacon Square.

Amphawa Floating Market

Open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Take the BTS sky train and get off at the Victory Monument Station, ask the staff and you will find minivans just outside the station selling tickets to both Amphawa and Mae Khlong.