Amphawa is one of Bangkok's most prominent floating marketplaces, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring Thailand tour packages. It isn't as vast as Damnoen Saduak, but it is more authentic, as it brings in more of a local crowd. This tiny modest community, located 50 kilometers from Bangkok, has existed since the mid-seventeenth century. It has become such a weekend draw for local people because of which food vendors have sprouted up along the riverbanks and spread out into the adjacent streets.
Of course, the primary attraction is eating seafood grilled dangerously on wooden boats anchored around the iconic center bridge, serving a delectable selection of prawns, mussels, and squid. The smell is simply enticing from lunchtime until late in the evening, and consumers throng to both sides of the river all day.
Old lovely wooden stores line both sides of the canal, selling Amphawa items ranging from t-shirts to more unusual concoctions. Of course, there will be plenty of sweets and ice cream — Thais have a strong sweet taste and like nibbling throughout the day.
Only on weekends, you may find a wonderful assortment of local food sold from little carts in all streets radiating from the market. The majority of the foods appear conventional, but some appear unique or even amusing, such as ice cream sandwiches and an alien-looking helmet crab egg salad.
