Bangkok's temporary floating market (UPDATED)

The Talad Nam Festival at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem near Government House runs until this Sunday. The floating market is not exactly authentic or cheap, but it is popular nonetheless, especially the 20-minute barge cruise.

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Evening update

Early this morning, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lead a group of cabinet ministers to Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem near the Makkawan Bridgeto to give alms to monks in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 60th birthday.

Afterwards, he discussed with Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra the possibility of opening the canal to boats carrying tourists. According to Post Today, MR Sukhumbhand said this would only be feasible during the dry season, since the canal is important part of the city's flood drainage system during the rainy season.

MR Sukhumbhand said after the closure of the floating market, agricultural goods would be sold there starting from about March 10.

Here is an excerpt from a much longer feature in today's Life section which describes the most popular attraction at the floating market: the barge cruise. You can read the feature in full here: http://www2.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/483220/floating-fiction

Bangkok's temporary floating market

Anchalee Kongrut

The small but hugely popular floating market at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem began with great fanfare on Feb 12, with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha presiding over the opening ceremony. The market is located near Government House and functions as both a nostalgic attraction and an example of urban re-evaluation.

Since its opening, visitors seem to be drawn to one attraction. There is almost always a long queue to board the mini cruise that runs from a small pier near the Orathai Bridge, near Hua Lamphong Railway Station, to Makkawan Bridge near Government House.

The barge carries about 20 visitors down the 163-year-old canal. The cruise is free of charge, and allows little-seen views of buildings, temples and bridges spanning the canal. The 3km trip takes approximately 20 minutes. Scores of rowboats from which vendors sell food await the boat’s — and more specifically, the tourists’ — arrival at Makkawan Bridge. Stalls offering locally crafted products, as well as an orchid market, line the canal’s banks.

The atmosphere is similar to that of Amphawa market, and the selection of food is an array of simple Thai dishes — noodles, Thai-style coffees and milk teas, fried mussels, coconut juice and various Thai desserts. Visitors crowd near the small, plastic rafts, which sway as they float on the water. There are not many shops, nor much of variety in regards to food selection, but people nonetheless seem to be having a good time.

Many visitors admitted that they visited the event solely because they wanted to take the mini cruise.

“The market is rather small and the goods sold there are quite plain and rather expensive,” said one visitor.

“I just want to travel by boat like people did in the old days,” said Sarithorn Songdam, who had already taken the cruise once and was on her way for a second round. “Riding a boat on the canal is different from walking or driving by it in a car. It is more pleasant, and you will see it from a different perspective.”

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