Wat Lamphaya Floating
Market , situated in front of Lamphaya temple, on the
Tha Chin River. The floating market was initiated by the
Tambon Lamphaya Cultural Council and Lamphaya temple. It
is a centre of trade for fruits and vegetables as well
as agricultural produces including rattan ware, woven
cotton, dyed cotton, and inexpensive food. Local food
like noodles with beef, Thai desserts, and steamed
curried fish patty, are sold by local vendors who do
their trade in their boats. In front of the temple is
another haven for the various species of fish including
big catfish-like fresh water fishes, black ear, and
giant gourami. The cruise services along Tha Cheen River
are also available. Several types of boats cater to the
needs of the visitors, which include:
Ancient rowing boat : cruising
along Tha Chin River: leaving from Wat Lamphaya, paying
homage to Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, the most revered
shrine of Tambon Lamphaya. The trip costs 20
Baht/person. It takes around 30 minutes;
Towed boat: a round trip along
Tha Chin River: departing from Wat Lamphaya to Wat
Sukvatanaram. Feeding fish can be done in front of Wat
Lamphaya. The trip costs 50 Baht/adult and 20
Baht/child.
Passenger boat: leaving from
Wat Lampaya to Wat Bang Phra (Wat Luang Pho Poen). The
trip takes two and a half hours. An adult fee is 50
Baht, a child fee is 20 Baht.
This floating market is open only on
Saturdays and Sundays, from 06.00-15.00.
Getting there: the market can
be reached several ways:
By Car: 1) take the
Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisi route, turn right onto a bridge
that leads to Salaya, continue driving, passing Mahidol
University, then take a left turn in front of
Buddhamonthon District Office, and then take a right
turn at Buddhamonthon Police Station for another 24 Kms.
Wat Lampaya is on the left. The trip takes around 45
minutes;
2) taking the Bang Bua Thong route,
keep going for about 10 Kms., look for a sign that
points to Bang Len, take a left turn there and proceed
for 20 Kms., at the next intersection (before reaching
the bridge crossing the Tha Chin River), take a left
turn and keep going for another 9 Kms. Wat Lamphaya will
be seen on the right.
By Bus: the Transport Company
operates a Bangkok-Nakhon Pathom bus. Get off at Nakhon
Pathom Market and then take a Song Thaeo (public pick-up
truck) of Nakhon Pathom-Lamphaya line, and get off at
Wat Lampaya. Take a Song Thaeo, route
Lamphaya-Thung-Noi, from a market in Nakhon Pathom town
and get off at Wat Lamphaya.
There are also
mini-van services available from the Southern Bus
Terminal, near Kung Luang Restaurant. The van leaves
every 30 minutes, from 05.00-18.00. A one-way fare is 40
Baht. For more information contact Wat Lamphaya, Tambon
Lamphaya Cultural Council tel:
0 3439 1626, 0 3439 1985, 0 3439 2022.
