Bangkok Travel Advice2

Kwan - Riam Floating Market

       
          Weekend is coming again. Where would you go? Don't worry about that if you read my blog. Today I will advice a new recommended destination and I am sure that everyone would like to go there especially traditional-tour enthusiasts. Are you ready? Here we go come with me!

          If I mention the floating market, no one would think it would be available in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand that has horrendous traffic jam problems. Whereas, Kwan - Riam Floating Market is a new floating market that was created to retrace Thai culture and lifestyle of people along the Saen Saeb Canal. It is not too far because it located on the outskirt of Bangkok.

          This market was built from the idea that would like to simulate the waterfront life as a memorial to future generations. Here, we will learn about lifestyle along the Saen Saeb Canal such as the old traditional of offering food to the monks by boat, Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam Festival (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) during the Loi Krathong Festival of each year, or on the full moon night of November and especially the interesting history of the Saen Saeb Canal that has existed since the early Rattanakosin period. It is also the beginning of the immortal love story "Kwan - Riam" that becomes to movie "The Old Scar", the tragedy of love that all Thai people can remember well.

Kwan - Riam Spirit House

                                                                  
          This market is located between Serithai Road Soi 60 and Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 187, or well known as Wat Bamphennua and Wat Bang Peng Tai. Although around this canal is busy, the market has remained calm as the traditional way of life. Also, there are many interesting activities to do, here comes as follows;
               1. Boat trip along the Saen Saeb Canal; boat trip is always impressive.
               2. Tasting delicious food from all Thai regions.
               3. Enjoy shopping with the OTOP local products from Tambons around Thailand and handmade products around Thailand
               4. It is the only one floating market that has prayer and cultural dress.
               5. Beautiful traditional Thai architectures and old boats that older generations are willing to show.

               6. Offering food to the monks by boat on weekends (8am - 9am)

            

                    
          
          Moreover, the highlight of this market is the bridge that connects Wat Bamphennua and Wat Bang Peng Tai, so everyone can see different lifestyle between them. Here, you can see local people willingly would like to tell and share the stories and history to new generations. they also said they would try to simulate the stories for everyone as they can.


Food Recommend

By Ho Kitchen Restaurant

By Baitong Restaurant

Food on boats

Rice in ice water by Mrs.Lek Sakidjai

How to get there:
     By public bus: 27, 502,  113, 58, 514 and take a motorcycle taxi just a few minutes
     By boat: Get out of a boat at the last station, then take a taxi or public bus just 10-15 minutes
     By car: Drive along the Ramkhamhaeng or Serithai Road. There are a lot of parking area for you.

More Information
Officially open: 30 June 2012
Opening hours: open only Sat - Sun from 6.00 am - 8.00 pm (Both temple open daily)
Location: Between Serithai Soi 60 and Ramkhamhaeng Soi 187 (Wat Bamphennua and Wat Bang Peng Tai)
Website: http://www.kwan-riamfloatingmarket.com
Photo credits: Kapook, Ternary and Kwan-Riam

                                                           Hope you have fun!