Phadung Krung Kasem Canal and Floating Market

Phadung Krung Kasem

An old floating market is coming back to life in Bangkok this month with the cleaning up of Phadung Krung Kasem Canal. The BMA have been busy the last few weeks dredging the canal. The water used to be black and smelly but this has now been changed for fresher water. All of the rubbish has also been cleared from the canal including the human bones that they found recently. Phadung Krung Kasem Canal is part of the old moat for Rattanakosin where the Grand Palace is situated. It is about five kilometers long and was built in the 1850’s. There used to be at least three floating markets in this area.

Phadung Krung Kasem

On 12th February 2015, the prime minister is expected to open Phadung Krung Kasem Floating Market. This runs for about 350 meters from in front of Government House towards the United Nations building. Originally the market was going to be every weekend until the end of the month. But last week the BMA said that it will open every day for 12 days until Sunday 1st March. Hopefully, if it is successful, they will continue every weekend once this festival is over.

Phadung Krung Kasem

I don’t have too many details yet. I plan to go on one of the first days and will tweet live with updates on @RichardBarrow and also post a blog on www.ThaiTravelBlogs.com with some pictures. At the moment it looks like it will be open from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Though I expect more likely it will be mid-afternoon until late evening. There will of course be plenty of food stalls and handicraft products. These are expected to be sold at good prices as there are no pitch fees. I also hear there will be boat trips up and down the canal.

Phadung Krung Kasem

Parking spaces are provided at the Royal Turf Club on Phitsanulok Road, along Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue and on Luk Luang Road. Shuttle bus services will be provided from these parking areas. Shuttle boat services are expected to operate between Hua Lamphong Pier (near the MRT station of the same name) and the market. I will try and update this information on Twitter as soon as I hear about it.

3 thoughts on “Phadung Krung Kasem Canal and Floating Market

  • February 10, 2015 at 4:48 pm
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    I wonder where the mud was dumped from the dredging, might be interesting to sift through it.

    Reply
    • February 10, 2015 at 4:52 pm
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      Probably more like sewage. But I understand what you mean. Probably a missed opportunity.

      Reply
      • February 10, 2015 at 8:29 pm
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        lots of coins and pottery

        Reply

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