Amphawa Floating Market Tour

Trip Description : Amphawan Floating Market is more photogenic than Damnoen Saduak. That isn’t true. You won’t see as many boat vendors here which means you will get a different kind of photograph. But, if you have the time, also come to this floating market for the atmosphere which is so much better. It is also more authentic as you won’t find the rows and rows of stalls selling the same tacky souvenirs. The best thing about Amphawa Floating Market is that it is still relatively unknown among Western tourists as it isn’t featured in Lonely Planet yet. This is where the Thai tourists come to experience a floating market.

Destination	:	Samut Songkhram
Start City	:	Bangkok
End City	:	Bangkok
Tour Type	:	Private
Duration	:	Half Day
Depart	:
Tour Rating	:
Tour Hit	:
Tour Grade	:	Easy Moderate Strenuous
Operated by	:

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The Amphawa district is an important place and is much involved with Thai history from the Ayutthaya period to the early Rattanakosin period. In the past, it was called Khwaeng Bang Chang, the small community prospered in both agriculture and commerce. There are credible evidences that suggest that during King Prasatthong era, Kwaeng Bang Chang had a market called Bang Chang Market.

ITINERARY

13:00 hrs	Meets & Greets by local English speaking guide at your hotel lobby Depart for Samut Songkhram is an ancient province with a long history. Originally, it is believed that this province was once a part of Ratchaburi province, and called Suan Nork at that time. Then, towards the end of the Ayutthaya period going on to the Thonburi period, it was separated from Ratchaburi province and was called Mueang Mae Klong.
14:00 hrs	Visit to Don Hoi Lot this famous tourist attraction of Samut Songkhram is a bar on the mouth of the Mae Klong River. It was formed by the sedimentation of sandy soil called by villagers here as ‘Sai Khi Pet.’ The bar of 3 km wide and 5 km long covers two zones: Don Nok is on the mouth of Ao Mae Klong, accessible by boat; and Don Nai is located on the beach of the Chuchi village in Tambon Bang Chakreng and on the beach of the Bang Bo village in Tambon Bang Kaeo.
14:30 hrs	Visit to King Rama II Memorial Park, this park was built under the project to honour King Rama II, run by the King Rama II Phraboromrachanusorn Foundation under royal patronage. It is built to commemorate his great patron to the arts and culture, which become a national heritage. Phra Rajsamutmatee, the abbot of Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, offered the area of 11 Rais (4.4 acres) for the construction of the park. This area was very important because it was a royal birthplace King Rama II.
15:30 hrs	Take a boat along the canal to visit to Wat Bang Khae Noi, this temple was built by Khunying Chui (Noi) Wongsarot in 1868. Initially, the Ubosot (ordination hall) was built on the bamboo raft tied to a Bodhi tree on the river bank. At present, the temple is well restored. Visit to Wat Chula Mani , this ancient temple sits on the bank where the Amphawa Canal connects with the Phi Lok Canal. The temple was built in the Ayutthaya period during the late reign of King Prasatthong. It was presumed that Thao Kaeophaluek (Noi), Mistress of the Bang Chang Market and a forebear of the royal lineage of Bang Chang, built the temple. Visit to Wat Phummarin Kudi Thong , an interesting attraction in the temple is the Kudee Thong (golden hermitage). According to a legend, Khun Nak’s millionaire father asked the abbot of Wat Bang Li to foretell Khun Nak’s fortune. The abbot predicted that Khun Nak would become a Queen. Khun Nak’s father then vowed that he will build the golden hermitage for Wat Bang Li if the prediction came true, hence the reason for the name of Wat Ban Li Kudi Thong. Later, Wat Bang Li was flooded and part of the land was gouged out by water, so the Kudi Thong was taken down and reconstructed at this temple. Visit to Bang Kung Camp, when arriving at the camp site, visitors will firstly see an imitation wall built in memory of the battle. Here is a historic navy camp site. Following the second defeat of the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1767, King Taksin the Great moved the naval force to set up camp in the district of Bang Kung since Mueang Mae Klong (the city of Mae Klong) was in the way used by the Burmese army. A wall was built to make Wat Bang Kung be in the middle of the camp as a spirit centre for soldiers. Visit to Wat Bang Khae Yai , it was built in 1814. Inside the temple, there are ancient monuments and artefacts. The large Ubosot (ordination hall) is more than 150 years old. At the front, the square Chedi (pagoda) with twelve indented corners is the art of the Ayutthaya period.
17:00 hrs	Visit to Talat Nam Yam Yen Amphawa, Talat Nam Yam Yen Amphawa is an afternoon floating market by the canal. The Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with food and drinks, such as fried sea mussel, noodles, coffee, O-liang (iced black coffee), sweets, etc.
18:00 hrs	Depart from Amphawa and return to Bangkok
19:30 hrs	Arrive at your hotel

RATES [Valid 01-NOV-2011 - 31-OCT-2012]

Service Type	Prices per person in Thai Baht
Service Type	1 pax	2 pax	3-4 pax	5-8 pax
Private Tour	5,250	2,750	1,900	1,600

Inclusions:

Air-conditioned vehicles with experienced driver

English speaking licensed guide

All admission fees as mentioned in the program

Exclusions:

Items of a personal nature

Tips or Gratuities to guide and driver

Child Policy:

For children under 3 years old will be Free of charge

For children 4-12 years old we charge 70% of adult price

For children over 13 years old we charge normal price

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