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  • Must-buy items in Bangkok's Floating Markets that you can't miss!

    Jessica Zapata
    Jessica Zapata
    Last updated 15 Sep 2023
    Must-buy items in Bangkok's Floating Markets that you can't miss! banner

    Make sure to grab these items during your visit to Bangkok’s floating markets!

    What’s a trip without shopping? 😝 If you’re still wondering what to buy in Bangkok, don’t fret! We went to the famous Amphawa Floating Market in Bangkok to see and list down some must-buy items that you should add to your to-buy list! From trinkets to clothes to food, we have it all listed below just for you. 😉
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    Amphawa Floating Market 👜👗🥭🥥

    Many boats with people in the river
    Head on over to Amphawa Floating Market, a famous floating market packed with hundreds of souvenir items for you to buy and food for you to try or even take home! There are just so many items to choose from here, so we’ve rounded up six must-buys for you to look for first during your visit. 🤩

    1. Locally-made bags 👜

    Brown bags on display
    We saw several stores selling locally-made bags, and each design was just beautiful. ⭐️ Some had flowers, stars, stripes, or even pearls on them. But most were just plain designs, which we think are much easier to style with your OOTDs! 💃🏻 There were also so many different types of bags, like body bags, handbags, clutch bags, and tote bags. It was quite hard to pick just one, but I personally loved the body bags — easy to style and carry around. 
    There’s actually a big souvenir store in the waiting area at Amphawa Floating Market where you can buy these locally-made bags, but we suggest getting one (or two) during your floating market experience instead! 🤗

    2. Traditional-styled clothes 👗👚👕

    Dresses, shirts, and bags on display
    Aside from the ever-iconic elephant pants, there are still so many other apparel souvenirs that you can get at Amphawa Floating Market. They sell dresses, shirts, and even shorts with elephant patterns. You can also find basic tees here with the country name written on the shirts and even more dresses with traditional patterns on them. These clothes are perfect to buy as souvenirs but also good as items to take home and give to your family and friends! 😊

    3. Fresh fruits 🥥🍉🍎🍌

    Different kinds of fruits on a boat
    You can actually find fresh fruits everywhere in Bangkok, but they just taste more refreshing at floating markets — maybe because it’s extra hot here? But kidding aside, you can find a variety of fresh fruits here that you can eat as you explore the floating market, like mangoes, coconuts, mangosteens, lanzones, rambutans, melons, dragon fruits, and pomelos. 😋
    Packed fruits on a boat
    You can also buy some and just eat later when you’re back at your accommodation. We especially loved the fresh coconut juice here, so make sure to try it too during your visit!
    Vendor giving fresh coconut to lady

    4. Mango sticky rice 🥭🍚

    Person making mango sticky rice
    You’re in Thailand, so having authentic mango sticky rice is a must! There are so many stores and stalls in Bangkok where you can get mango sticky rice, but the one we tried at Amphawa Floating Market is one that we won’t forget. The mangoes were fresh and sweet, perfect to pair with the sticky rice and coconut milk! 😋
    Many mangoes on a boat

    5. Mini tuk-tuk, ref magnets, and other little items that are easy to pack 🤩🛺

    Woman on a boat selling many Thai items
    If you want to buy as many souvenirs as you can but have small bag storage, then a visit to the floating markets is exactly what you need! They sell so many easy-to-pack items here, like mini tuk-tuks, ref magnets, keychains, mini elephant figures, and trinket holders. 🐘
    Woman selling bags and elephant miniatures
    You can buy them per piece or even in bulk if you plan to give them to your friends and loved ones when you're back home!

    6. Skewers 🥩🍖

    Meat grilling
    Enough with the sweet delights, let’s move on to the savory snacks! There are several savory eats for you to get and try at Amphawa Floating Market — stir-fried noodles, seafood, skewers, and even rice meals. We still can’t get over the chicken skewers we had, oozing with flavors and oh-so juicy! 🤌🏻 Make sure to give these chicken skewers a try and feel free to buy a few more sticks for the road. Trust us, it’s that good! 🐓
    Klook Tip: Locals say that rain and light drizzles are frequent, so it's advisable to bring along a small umbrella, a raincoat, or a lightweight jacket!

    Maeklong Railway Market 🚊👝🐘👚

    People watching the train pass by
    Now, this isn’t exactly a floating market, we know, but since it’s so close to Amphawa Floating Market, we suggest dropping by here as well! You can score amazing souvenirs to bring home here too, and you will surely get them at good prices. 🤪

    7. Little elephants 🐘

    Small elephant stuffed toys in many colors
    Since the elephant is Thailand’s national animal, these mini elephant stuffed toys make perfect souvenirs to commemorate your trip to the Land of Smiles! 😁 They’re so adorable and fluffy, making them a great addition to your home decor. You can even choose your favorite color since they come in different options like pink, blue, yellow, and red. Each elephant pattern varies as well, so make sure to choose wisely!

    8. Elephant pants 😍

    Elephant pants with different designs and colors
    Elephant pants are every tourist’s staple souvenir when in Thailand. They’re so iconic that they’re sold almost everywhere in the city. We even saw elephant pants in the mall and also at the airport, so they’re pretty easy to find if you plan to get a pair! We suggest getting elephant pants from Maeklong Railway Market since it’s way cheaper than the ones sold inside malls and the airport. These elephant pants are so famous in the country that even the locals wear them! They’re not just comfy, they’re also stylish! ✨

    9. Colorful pouches 🌈

    Man looking at the items on display at a store
    You can never go wrong with small pouches! These handy pouches are perfect for organizing things inside your bag, and the smallest size can even serve as a coin purse or wallet. They usually sell these cute pouches per pack. As for the number of pouches per pack, it will depend on the size of the pouches. What’s great about getting these pouches in three or more pieces is that you can save one for yourself and give the rest as gifts! They come in different designs, patterns, and colors too, so you’re sure to get a good variety for all your loved ones back home! We personally loved the ones with elephant designs on them — so adorable! 🧡

    10. Dried fruits 🍌🥭

    Packed dried fruits on display
    Thailand is also famous for its dried fruits. 😋 You can find these in malls and 7-Eleven stores, but you can score these dried fruits at better prices at Maeklong Railway Market! It’s cheaper at the market, and there are more fruit options too, like mango, banana, durian, mangosteen, and tamarind! These dried fruits are usually packed in pouches or small plastic containers, so it’s another perfect gift idea to take back home. But if you want to try them yourself, go ahead! It’s a fun sweet snack that you can take with you as you explore more of Bangkok. 😌
    Important Reminder: When the locals and market staff signal that the train is approaching and advise everyone to stand behind the red line, please follow their instructions and MAKE SURE TO STAY BEHIND THE RED LINE!
    You’re all set and ready for your floating market (and railway market) adventure. Happy exploring Bangkok! 🧡✈️

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