🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Bang Phli Old Market is in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province — a row of wooden shophouses lining Khlong Samrong that's been around for more than 160 years, once known as Siri Sophon Market. What sets it apart from your average old market is that it hasn't been scrubbed clean and renovated just to look photogenic. It's still a living community where people have lived and traded for generations. Walk through and you'll see a mix of shops aimed at visitors alongside ones that serve the locals who actually live around here.
The wooden canalside atmosphere
The market itself is two-storey wooden shophouses with hipped roofs, lined up for almost a kilometre along Khlong Samrong. The walkway is wooden flooring that runs the whole length, with a roof overhead so you don't have to worry about sun or rain. The canal stays beside you the entire walk, and at several points there are wooden terraces where you can sit and watch the water and the boats passing by. Come on a weekday and the market is fairly quiet — easy walking, but fewer shops open. On Saturdays and Sundays it's livelier and far more stalls are trading. Pick whichever mood suits you.
- Nearly 1 km of wooden walkway — covered the whole way, so you can stroll the full length without baking in the sun
- Canalside terraces — several spots with seating overlooking the water, good for a rest with a snack or for feeding the fish
- Real wooden homes — people still live in these houses, it's not stage decor, so the atmosphere feels genuine
Which day to go
Want it buzzing with lots of stalls open and the full spread of food? Come on a Saturday or Sunday, late morning to afternoon. If you prefer a quiet walk and easy photos, a weekday has its own charm — but quite a few shops will be shut. The market runs roughly 8am to 5pm.
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Old-school food worth trying
The food here stands out for tasting the way it always has — honest prices, nothing dressed up to look fancy. Most of it is single-plate savoury dishes and old-style Thai sweets that are getting harder to find in the city. Here's a rough guide to what to look out for once you're walking through.
Boat noodles / namtok noodles
A signature of waterside markets — rich, dark broth in small bowls you can knock back several of. A good way to kick off your meal before you carry on walking.
Kuay jap clear soup / duck noodles
Chewy rolled kuay jap noodles in a fragrant peppery broth, while the duck rice and duck noodles are another big draw.
Old-style khanom buang
Crispy shells filled with golden egg threads and sweet cream, cooked fresh one at a time — a classic snack you can still find at this market.
Khanom jeen nam ya / chilli relish
Rice noodles topped with a hearty fish curry sauce, eaten with fresh vegetables — a filling, properly Thai meal that won't cost much.
Old-style Thai sweets
Khanom chan, khanom tan, thong yip and thong yot, sticky rice with various toppings — several vendors to choose from, and good to take home as gifts.
Childhood-memory treats
The kind of snacks many people grew up on — custard bread, coconut ice cream, look choop, old-fashioned toys. Stumble on them and you'll feel the nostalgia.
Save room
Portions here are small bowls and small plates, designed for grazing as you walk. Don't fill up at the first shop — sample a little at a time so you can try more. Bring cash and small notes too, because plenty of stalls still don't take transfers.
Feeding the fish and boat rides on Khlong Samrong
Khlong Samrong in front of the market is thick with fish. Shops in the market sell bags of fish food starting around 10 baht — buy one and you can stand right at the terrace and scatter it. The fish surge up in shoals, kids love it, and it's a simple activity that makes the market a lot more fun. At times there are also boat services that take you along the canal to soak up the atmosphere and visit nearby temples. Ask at the pier in front of the market whether any boats are running on the day you visit.
Feed the fish by the canal
Bags of fish food from ten baht, scattered from the wooden terrace — fish come up in shoals, kids love it
Boat ride along the canal
Some days there are boats touring Khlong Samrong and stopping at nearby temples — ask at the pier
Paying respects to Luang Pho To at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai
Walk a little further on from the market and you reach Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, home of Luang Pho To, a sacred Buddha image that's the pride of Bang Phli district and deeply revered by locals in Samut Prakan and the surrounding area. Many people come to the market and take the chance to pay respects, apply gold leaf, and make a wish — so the trip rolls eating, strolling, and merit-making into one. Visit around the end of Buddhist Lent and you can also catch the Rap Bua tradition, Bang Phli's big annual festival.
- Luang Pho To — Bang Phli's most cherished Buddha image, where people come to ask for blessings on work and success
- Walkable from the market — the temple is close by, so you can carry on on foot without moving the car
- Rap Bua tradition — the annual festival around the end of Buddhist Lent; time it right and you'll see lotus flowers tossed into the boats
Getting there and parking
Bang Phli Old Market isn't far from Bangkok and sits close to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Driving from central Bangkok takes about 40 minutes to an hour depending on where you start and the traffic. There's parking around the temple, and you can also park at a nearby mall like Big C Bang Phli. If you're not driving, you can take a bus or connect from the Bang Na–Trat junction and get off around Bang Phli. It's an easy trip, well suited to a half-day outing or a stop on the way to the airport.
- Driving — about 40–60 min from Bangkok; park at the temple or Big C Bang Phli
- Near Suvarnabhumi — roughly half an hour from the airport, handy before or after a flight
- Opening hours — around 8am to 5pm, busiest on Saturdays and Sundays
Straight talk
Don't expect the spectacle of the big floating markets that go all out for tourists. Bang Phli's charm is in its simplicity and the fact that it's the real thing. On a weekday it can be quiet enough to feel like there aren't many shops. If you're coming to eat and wander and have a good time, aim for a Saturday or Sunday late morning for the fullest atmosphere.
Plan a full day exploring Samut Prakan
See the Samut Prakan travel guide →