Kwan Riam Floating Market can be your next destination if you wish to try out a new experience while visiting the capital city of Thailand, as this Bangkok floating market is easily accessible and only a few tourists can be seen shopping there. Discover a detailed guide to Kwan Riam Floating Market – one of the most popular floating markets in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kwan Riam Floating Market is one of the newest floating markets in Bangkok. The name of the market, “Kwan-Riam” (ขวัญกับเรียม), comes from the name of the characters in the Thai romance-drama novel called “Plae Kao” (meaning - "the scar"), written by Mai Muengderm. The novel was first published in 1936, then it was made into a movie for the first time in 1940, and then remade again in 1977. The story narrates the love of Kwan and Riam that was hindered by their parents.
Location of Kwan Riam Floating Market
Kwan Riam Floating Market is located at the outskirts of Bangkok (about 30 km from the city center), on the bank of Khlong Saen Saeb, the canal connecting the Chao Phraya River with Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao.
Kwan Riam Floating Market Opening Hours
The floating market is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, from 07:00 to 18:00.
Kwan Riam Floating Market Experience
Kwan Riam Floating Market is a good example of the modern Thai floating market. Kwan Riam Floating Market is a really charming place because of its location between two ancient Buddhist temples, Wat Bang Peng Nuea (Northern) and Wat Bang Peng Tai (Southern), situated on opposite banks of the canal.
An iconic bridge spans the canal linking the two sides of the floating market. This bridge is a favorite spot for visitors to take floating market photos.
At Kwan Riam Floating Market you can find traditional Thai food, Isan food, Thai desserts, clothes, handmade bags, handmade crafts and household items, souvenirs, and much more. However, during our last visit, the market was quite deserted, with fewer sellers than we used to see previously.
Food at Kwan Riam Floating Market
The floating market offers a good selection of local food. You can choose to eat on one of the boats transformed into restaurants floating on the canal. These boat-restaurants offer authentic and really yummy Thai dishes.
Here are listed our top picks of food at Kwan Riam Floating Market that you should try when visiting this floating market in Bangkok.
Noodles
There are many restaurants selling noodle dishes that you can try around the market. We’ve tried a traditional noodle soup, which was very delicious.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a popular noodle dish in Thailand. It is made from flat rice noodles with a good combination of classic ingredients like eggs, tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, and the flavors of sweet, spicy, and sour. We have ordered seafood Pad Thai that cost us 70 baht.
Seafood
At Kwan Riam Floating Market you can expect to see vendors selling seafood in the restaurants along the canal.
Khanom Jeen
Khanom Jeen, or Tender Rice Noodles with Curry, is a type of noodles made from rice starch. They are very soft and thin. There are many kinds of curry sauce you can eat with Khanom Jeen, and it is served with fresh vegetables.
Barbecue
Thai-style grilled BBQ is served on a stick. This BBQ stick costs 25 baht.
Tub Tim Grob
Tub Tim Grob is a Thai dessert that consists of little red rubies made from water chestnuts and tapioca flour, served with sweetened coconut milk and ice. It is a sweet, refreshing, and delicious dessert you can try at Kwan Riam Floating Market.
Khao Lam
Khao Lam, or Sticky Rice in Bamboo, is one of the Thai dessert snacks made of sticky rice soaked in sugar and coconut milk and baked in a stalk of bamboo. It's a really interesting snack.
Crispy Thai pancakes
Delicious crispy Thai pancakes (Khanom Buang) at the market cost 25-30 baht/set.
All these Thai food dishes and snacks are really worth trying at Kwan Riam Floating Market, so head there with an empty stomach.
Activities at Kwan Riam Floating Market
Alms Offering
One of the highlights of Kwan Riam Floating Market is the ceremony of people offering alms to the monks in the early morning. People gather on the banks of the canal at 07:30 to 08:00 and give food to the monks passing by on the boat along the canal. It usually lasts about 45 minutes.
Another highlight here is a special traditional Thai dancing and Thai songs performance presented during the day by the students from the surrounding area.
Animals
There are also many animals in the local mini zoo, such as flamingoes, goats, alpacas, miniature ponies, prairie dogs, tortoises, swans, and others scattered around the area. Kids can definitely have a great time here interacting with these lovely animals.
Boat Trips
The boat trips on the Khlong San Saeb are available for 40 baht per person. These boat trips normally include a guided tour (in Thai) by teenage students from Wat Bamphen Nuea School. You will be able to enjoy sightseeing along the canal.
How to Get to Kwan Riam Floating Market
Kwan Riam Floating Market can be reached either through Seri Thai Soi 60 or Ramkhamhaeng Soi 187.
As there are no tours that would include this floating market in the itinerary, you can only visit it independently. Depending on your location in the city, you can take a Bangkok bus, taxi, or use a public boat service.
For more details about all transport options, check How to Get to Kwan Riam Floating Market from Bangkok.
Tips
If you are looking to visit a Bangkok floating market on a weekday, your only choice is Damnoen Saduak. The best way to visit it is this combined Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market tour, which is the most popular day trip from Bangkok.
