In the past, daily commerce in Thailand was conducted mostly along rivers and canals (or khlongs as they are known in Thai). Bangkok’s water network was busy and served as the mainstay of everyday life giving Bangkok the name of “Venice of the East” by early European visitors.

Today, the Damnoen Saduak floating market, 80 miles west Bangkok, is primarily a tourist attraction. It is well supported locally and allows visitors the opportunity to experience the culture of riverside shopping which was like this for over 100 years.

Coconuts are grown across Thailand and one popular use for them is to scoop out the flesh, make ice cream from it, and then put it back into the shell and serve with an orchid flower on top!

The Damnoen Saduak floating market had its heyday in the early 1970s when the river was full of farmers selling their wares.