Bang Nokkwaek, a resurrected century-old riverside market, is the new rave in Samut Songkhram on weekends
These days it is hard to come by food vendors who actually encourage customers to try a bite before buying whatever is on offer. However, at Bang Nokkwaek, an old market in Samut Songkhram resurrected earlier this year, that is the norm and mark of local hospitality.
Small and sitting by the Mae Klong River at the mouth of a canal that connects to Damnoen Saduak floating market in neighbouring Ratchaburi Province, the market, more than a century old remained closed for decades after roads gained ascendancy over river as mode of transportation, until the local residents decided to revive and turn it into a tourist attraction last March.
Using word of mouth and exposure through television they have managed to breathe fresh life into the market and turn their homes in Bang Khonthi district into a major cultural attraction on weekends, explained Poonsak Tantidechamongkol, who raise sand goby, the fish known as pla bu in Thai, for sale.
Like other century-old markets around Thailand Bang Nokkwaek oozes traditional ambience, featuring two-storey wooden shophouses that open on weekends selling typical local exotics like salapao (steamed Chinese buns), phad thai kung maenam (fried noodles with river shrimp), mieng pla (crispy fish salad) and crab noodles.
Most of the dishes on sale are cooked in Chinese style because the local residents are descendants of Chinese migrants who moved from Bangkok to Bang Nokkwaek more than a century ago.
Apart from the food, available are river cruises lasting 30 minutes on the Mae Klong, free of charge.
A fitting mascot for the market.
A short walk from the market is the Church of Virgin Mary built in Gothic style 113 years ago, complete with a tour guide who is always happy to share his knowledge with visitors, particularly if the subject is stained glass that adorn the doors and walls of the church.
Bang Nokkwaek is convenient distance from other floating markets: in Bang Noi and Amphawa, while Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi is just 7.5 kilometres adrift. You can do them all in one day.
Take Highway 35 from Bangkok to Amphawa and turn onto Highway 325 and then the 6006 to Bang Khonthi. Follow the sign to Bang Noi floating market. When you reach the T-junction you will see a sign pointing to Bang Nokkwaek. Follow the sign and you come to the Church of Virgin Mary, which is on your left. Next up is a small bridge; cross it and the market is on your left, a small lane from the car leading you there.
If you travel by public bus, get off at Samut Songkhram station and take the local 'songthaew' (Maeklong-Bang Nokkwaek) to the market.
Summary
Bang Nokkwaek is a century-old riverside market where located in Meaklong River in Samutsongkram. It revive and turn it into a tourist attraction this year. This market open on weekends selling typical local exotics and it is near Bang noi, Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak. Travelers can go to there by car and public bus.
Personal response
Bang Nokkwaek is interesting because it is a market that is not well-known to someone so I think it is not bustle with tourist, it still have old way of life and old culture. This place is near Bangkok where is the one choice of tourist or people that looking for place where quiet and peaceful. If I have free time I will go to there before it is a famous place like somewhere.
Miss Ladawan Nitkitsomboon
Section 6911
ID: 1500101561
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