The Klong Lat Mayom floating market is arguably one of the three most interesting floating markets in the immediate vicinity of Bangkok. Its name, "floating market," comes from its location on a narrow stretch of canal where several boats laden with fruits and vegetables are moored. Admittedly, the floating part of the market is quite short, but Klong Lat Mayom also has an interesting land-based section. Here, you can easily find something to eat at the numerous stalls before settling down at one of the small tables to enjoy your meal. It's also a local market where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, shrimp, and more, as well as clothing and souvenirs. Although most of the visitors to this market, which takes place every weekend, are Thai, it's still a tourist attraction. Boat tours on the klongs, the small canals that crisscross Bangkok, depart from both ends of the market. The tours last 1.5 hours and cost 99 THB per person. I recommend this tour as it reveals a surprising side of Bangkok and combines a visit to a floating market with a trip on the famous klongs (canals). On weekends, when the Klong Lat Mayom market is open, canal tours offered from various docks in Bangkok often include a lunch stop. I also suggest combining your visit to this market with the Taling Chan Floating Market, located 9 km away, ideally starting there. A red songthaew with a white sign (a shared taxi used as a local bus) connects the two markets for less than 10 THB per person.

The Klong Lat Mayom floating market is only open on weekends and some holidays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A rowboat ride on the small section of the canal costs 20 THB per person. Ninety-minute tours on the klongs in a longboat (motorboat) cost 200 THB per person. You can also rent a boat for around 1200 THB (the price depends on your preferences, the number of people, and your negotiating skills).

You can, of course, take a taxi or visit the Taling Chan floating market first. You can easily reach it by taking bus number 79 from Bangkok city center (one stop is near Sanam Luang, for example). From there, you can take a red songthaew (shared taxi) with a white sign, which connects the two markets for less than 10 THB per person. Alternatively, bus number 146 also goes near the Klong Lat Mayom floating market, but I haven't tried this. For a larger budget, you can also hire a local guide for the day. They will organize a boat tour for you through the canals (klongs), with a stop at the market and other interesting places. Note that since January 2023, there has been a free shuttle bus service to the Klong Lat Mayom floating market and three other floating markets in Bangkok. You can find all the information about these free buses to the Klong Lat Mayom floating market here.

How to get there

How do you get to the Klong Lat Mayom floating market? You can, of course, take a taxi, or you can visit the Taling Chan floating market first. You can easily reach it by taking bus number 79 from Bangkok city center (one stop is near Sanam Luang, for example). From there, take a red songthaew (shared taxi) with a white sign, which connects the two markets for less than 10 THB per person. Alternatively, bus number 146 also goes near the Klong Lat Mayom floating market, but I haven't tried it. For a larger budget, you can also hire a local guide for the day. They will organize a boat tour for you through the canals (klong), with a stop at the market and other interesting places. Note that since January 2023, there has been a free shuttle bus service to the Klong Lat Mayom floating market and three other floating markets in Bangkok. You can find all the information about these free buses here.