For a slice of the slow paced Thai life of old, nothing beats a visit to one of Thailand's many floating markets where vendors in heavily laden wooden paddle boats merrily peddle their wares much as their ancestors have done for generations.

Since most floating markets mainly deal in fresh food produce, they generally make an early morning start when the sun is not so hot and the fruit and vegetables are at their freshest. Some of the most memorable encounters of this kind include:


DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET, RATCHABURI

Thailand's most colourful, largest and most photographed floating market. Open daily from predawn until at least mid morning, but best visited early. Most vendors dress in traditional blue cotton suits as worn by the workers in the fields, their faces shielded from the strong rays of the sun by hats made of bamboo and palm leaves.

Never static, they paddle up and down the waterway hailing customers and bartering their merchandise. Canal rides can be arranged to tour the market and surrounding residential and orchard areas. Long-tailed boats are available for hire at Pojjawan or Seri Kemi Kaset piers for a fee of around 200 baht per person for an hour.

Contact TAT Ratchaburi, Tela 3225 4980.


TALING CHAN FLOATING MARKET, BANGKOK

This semi-rural market takes place in front of the Taling Chan District Office on Saturday and Sunday from around 7 am to 4 pm. Nearby local farmers bring fresh vegetables, fruit and fish to sell, each in its season.

There are also floating food shops on rafts selling Thai food sweets and handicrafts. Private tour companies offer sightseeing tours by boat along Klong Chak Phra for a glimpse of the ages old canalside way of live.

Contact TAT Bangkok,
Tel: 0 2282 9773 or Taling Chan District Office,
Tel: 02424 1742 or 0 2424 5448


BANG KHU WIANG FLOATING MARKET, NONTHABURI

This lively morning market opens from 6-8 am. Villagers bring in seasonal fruits, consumer products and prepared foods to sell by boat. At the same time, monks can be seen on their early morning alms rounds collecting villagers' offerings by boat, a site rarely seen anymore in Thailand.

Contact TAT Bangkok, Tel: 0 2282 9773.


THA KHA FLOATING MARKET, SAMUT SONGKHRAM

Villagers bring food, vegetables and local fruits to sell at Tha Kha market from 7 am until about noon. Saturdays and Sundays, when the market is at its busiest, are the best days to visit, although the market also operates on other days determined by lunar cycles. Boats are for hire to take visitors on tours of the surrounding villages and fruit orchards.

Contact TAT Bangkok,
Tel: 0 2282 9773 or TAT Kanchanaburi, Tel: 03451 1200.


LAM PHYA FLOATING MARKET, NAKHON PATHOM

This market takes place in front of Wat Lam Phya, Tha Chin River, every Saturday and Sunday from around 6 am until 3 pm. Vendors paddle their boats here to sell fruit, vegetables and local handicrafts, including baskets and hand-woven cloth.

A wide array of Thai food, noodles and desserts is also purveyed. Boat trips are available to visit nearby attractions along the river.

Contact: Wat Lam Phya,
Tel: 0 3439 1626, 0 3439 1985 or 0 3439 2022.