Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: My Biggest Thailand Fail
Let me say this right off the bat: I'm writing this post to tell you not to go to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Someone I met yesterday mentioned they were going to the floating market, and I started imagining how fun it would be to ride a boat. As soon as I got back to my accommodation, I booked a tour through the travel agency inside. Maybe because I was booking so late at night, the woman at the desk told me that if she found a spot, I absolutely had to register. It felt super suspicious, but I was already so hyped about the floating market that I agreed.
"The manager was sleeping and I felt really bad waking him up. You definitely have to book this!"
It was only 10:30 PM, so I didn't get what the big fuss was about. The price was 500 THB, and they said they'd pick me up the next morning. I really should have learned by now not to book with such shady travel agencies...
First of all, the van that was supposed to arrive at 7:00 didn't show up until 7:45. I tend to run late myself, so I don't mind waiting, but it was frustrating not knowing if it was even coming at all. The woman who took my booking yesterday was nowhere to be seen, and the hotel staff was flustered, apologizing and saying they didn't really know what was going on either. I was annoyed, but since I was on vacation, I tried to calm down and head out. After riding for two hours packed like sardines in a tiny van, we arrived at the floating market. But then they told me the boat ride fee was a separate 150 THB. They didn't even tell me beforehand... these scammers...
Once you get on the boat, you literally just go around the market continuously, like in the photos above. Everyone on the boats is a tourist, so the items for sale are mostly just accessories. On top of that, the boatman just sat there demanding a tip—the first time I'd experienced that since coming to Thailand. After one ride, they tell you to wait for about an hour. I know it's a market tour, but I felt like that was a bit much. While waiting, I saw some Koreans and asked them how much they paid to get here. They said they came through a Korean travel agency for 200 THB. Ah... the smile of the woman who took my booking suddenly flashed in my mind like a devil's grin.
After spending an hour doing absolutely nothing, I got pushed back in line because I was alone and had to wait another 20 minutes. After that, you take a motorboat through a densely wooded area to the parking lot, and that concludes the 650 THB tour.
The van back was completely packed too, so I had to share the front seat with a Chinese grandma. I debated whether or not to throw a fit, but the grandma was sitting quietly, so I just sighed, let it go, and endured an uncomfortable 2-hour ride back. When I returned, I told the guesthouse owner, "It was the worst," and he just laughed and said you can't always have fun. For a brief moment, I felt like I had learned a life lesson, but less than three seconds later, the anger returned. I don't think achieving nirvana is in the cards for me.
Things I am absolutely certain of:
Never go to Erawan Travel Agency.
Do not do the floating market tour.