This guest post was written by my friend Jack Lee who loves trains in Thailand. He contributed his first guest post sometime ago about his experience travelling from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by train over the River Kwai Bridge. Here’s another one about Mae Klong and how you can do it cheaply..for 140 Thai Baht 🙂
Jack doesn’t have a travel blog but you may follow him on Instagram.
Enjoy!
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The famous railway market at Mae Klong (pronounced as Meh-Gong) is located at Samut Songkram province. Located just about an hour (or more depending on traffic situation) drive from Bangkok, it is easily accessible using the many shuttle vans operating at Victory Monument. Here’s how:
- Take a BTS to Victory Monument
- Exit at 4, walk down the flight of stairs
- Walk straight on, until you come across the sign below.
- There are many tables set up, selling you tickets to many provinces at Thailand. Look out for Mae Klong, or just say it to tickets seller and they will point you to the correct table, which is the second one from left.
- A single trip cost 70 Thai Baht. Van leaves either when full or every 10 minutes or so.
The vehicle number is written on the receipt. Find that van and board it. That’s it!
There are many sea salt farms located on the route 35 to Mae Klong. You can see big packets of salt on sale at roadside stalls.
Once you have reached Mae Klong, the van driver will drop you off on the main street.
The van will continue on to Amphawa Floating Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, with either destination costing 15 Thai Baht more. You can also take song teaw from Mae Klong to Amphawa for same price 15 Baht. A point to note, Amphawa Floating Market is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is open daily and ends at around noon time.
The train only goes to Mae Klong twice a day, 11.30 am or 2.30 pm.
So, the recommended itinerary is below.
With floating market |
0800 – reach BTS Victory Monument
0830 – leave Victory Monument 0930 – reach Mae Klong, continue to Amphawa or Damnoen Saduak 1000 to 1230 – walk around floating market. Lunch. 1230 – leave for Mae Klong market. 1300 – Walk around Mae Klong market. Find the best spot for taking photos and videos of the train 1430 – train arrives. After 20 minutes or so, the train will leave Mae Klong station 1530 – leave Mae Klong for Bangkok by van |
Without floating market |
0800 – reach BTS Victory Monument
0830 – leave Victory Monument 0930 – reach Mae Klong 0930 to 1130 – walk around Mae Klong market. Find the best spot for taking photos and videos of the train 1130 – train arrives. After 20 minutes or so, the train will leave Mae Klong station 1230 – leave Mae Klong to Bangkok by van |
Once you have taken lots of videos and photos of the train passing by the market, like the gallery below, you can now walk to the main street to van stand to board van back to Bangkok.
Note: if you noticed, the train seemed to be different colour. That is because there are 2 locomotives at either end of the train. Mae Klong is the last station of this line.
All images, videos and text owned by Jack Lee.Â
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Would you like to feature your recent travel adventure here? If you’re interested to contribute a guest post to Kat Pegi Mana, please feel free to email me at katpegimana@gmail.com.
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This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. All opinions shared in this post belong to the guest author.
*Linking with #FarawayFiles, #TheWeeklyPostcard and #CityTripping.
That sounds like a really fun day out from Bangkok – the floating markets are something I missed last time I visited. I have fond memories of Thai trains too. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Oh my gosh! It’s so crazy how close the people put their stands to the rails! Thank you for sharing this colorful place with #FarawayFiles – cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
Incredible, isn’t it? I can’t believe it too…
What a useful post! I love travelling by train – it is so civilised. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
Thanks Katy 🙂
Wow that train passing so close to the market is just something else!! Such a useful post to #citytripping
So interesting and incredible, isn’t it? 🙂
I really want to see the floating markets in Thailand. It’s something I missed out on whenever I’ve visited the country. This will be really useful, thanks. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
Floating markets in Thailand are interesting but go for the non-touristy floating markets which are located far from the Bangkok. These markets are more interesting because locals who live in those areas also shop from the boat merchants.
Sounds like a great day time. I love exploring the markets there, I found so many great deals on my last trip. You never know what you will find. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Yeah and in this case what one will discover at the markets is a train gliding right through it! 🙂
I went there fairly recently – it is crazy how close the train comes to people and their products! That video really sums it up.
I’m keen to see this myself after reading my friend’s guest post 🙂