Maeklong Railway Market and Khlong Khon Mangroves (from Bangkok)
Two halves that could hardly be less alike. First Maeklong, where a produce market is laid out across a live railway line and packs itself away for every train; then the quiet mangrove channels of Khlong Khon, where wild macaques swim out to the boat. Private, English-speaking guide, early 06:45 pickup.
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Maeklong Railway Market tour and the mangroves of Khlong Khon: two Thailands before mid-afternoon
The alarm goes early for one reason. Maeklong's produce market is built over a working railway, and several times a day a siren gives the traders a few seconds' warning: awnings fold back, crates come off the sleepers, a train edges through at walking speed, and within a minute the stalls have closed over the rails again. Very little else in the country looks remotely like it. Half an hour later you are on the shore of Samut Songkhram and the mood inverts completely. A longtail engine drops to a mutter, aerial roots close in, birds work the shallows, and the macaques of Khlong Khon paddle out to inspect the hull. You finish among oyster racks and clam flats, where a digger balances on a wooden plank and drives himself along with one leg. Lunch is local, the vehicle is yours alone, and the market feels a long way off by the time you sit down to eat.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFBKK22 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Bangkok |
| Duration | Full Day |
| Tour Type | Excursions |
| Tour Format | Private |
| Guide Language | Italian, English |
| Interests | Food & Cuisine, Local Markets, Nature & Trekking |
| Available Period | All year round |
| Availability | Daily |
Highlights
Sample Itinerary
An early meeting in the lobby, and a good reason for it: the market has to be reached while trains are still running through it. Roughly ninety minutes on the road in a private air-conditioned vehicle, heading southwest into the province of Samut Songkhram.
The market at Maeklong occupies a working stretch of railway. Fish, fruit and vegetables are stacked against the rails themselves, under awnings that reach right across the track. Then the siren goes. Traders drag back the canopies, lift the baskets off the sleepers, and a train comes through the middle of it at walking speed, close enough to touch. As soon as the last carriage clears, everything slides out over the rails and trading carries on. Your guide will tell you how a market ended up here in the first place, and why nobody has ever moved it.
From the rails it is about thirty minutes down to the shore. Khlong Khon is a shellfish village on the Gulf, and the second half of the day happens on its water rather than in its streets.
A longtail is waiting at the jetty. The engine drops to a mutter as you turn into one of the biggest mangrove forests in the country: aerial roots, green half-light, birds working the shallows. Then the troop arrives. These macaques have never known anywhere else, and they swim, properly swim, across open channel to reach the boat and look you over. It is the part people remember afterwards, and it happens entirely on their initiative.
Near the mouth the water shallows and bamboo racks break the surface. Oysters are grown on ropes slung between them, seeded and then left to the tide. Past the racks the bed turns to soft mud, and there you will see a digger balanced on a kradan, driving himself forward with one leg to reach the clams by hand.
Requested in advance, this stop is quick. The boat touches the bank, you step out into the mud, and young mangroves go in where the forest is being rebuilt. There is no charge; the centre only needs notice to have the plants ready for you.
A local restaurant, and the cooking of Samut Songkhram rather than anything adapted for visitors to the capital.
The vehicle takes you back to Bangkok, dropping you at your hotel around 15:00 with the afternoon still ahead of you.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Price
| Participants | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person (EUR) | 245 € | 135 € | 105 € | 85 € | 75 € | 65 € |
| Price per person (THB) | 9,300 ฿ | 5,220 ฿ | 3,860 ฿ | 3,180 ฿ | 2,775 ฿ | 2,500 ฿ |
Rates are per person and cover every service listed. Euro amounts are converted at the current exchange rate and are indicative.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- English-speaking assistance
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private air-conditioned transfer from and to your hotel in Bangkok
- Visit to the Maeklong Railway Market
- Longtail boat trip through the Khlong Khon mangroves
- Lunch (drinks not included)
Not Included
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Useful Tips
- If you plan to join the mangrove planting or any of the activities in the mud, bring a complete change of old clothes you do not mind ruining: mangrove mud is stubborn and never comes out entirely
- Bring a towel as well, and closed shoes you can afford to dirty, or water sandals.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- The macaques are wild animals: keep your distance and do not feed them
- Not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems
- Do not touch or collect shellfish or other marine life: this is a protected conservation area
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalised itinerary. For each excursion you will find precise information on:
- Difficulty level: easy, moderate or demanding.
- Duration: from half a day to a full day.
- Requirements: minimum level of fitness, recommended age and accessibility.
Please also bear in mind that sea excursions by boat are usually not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Travellers with disabilities should be accompanied by someone who can assist them when needed. If you have any doubts or specific requirements, your Travel Consultant is always at your disposal for personalised advice.
Will we really see the train come through the market?
Yes. The departure time is set to match one of the train crossings at Maeklong market, so you will be there when the stalls are pulled back and the carriages move between them. Railway timetables can change, however: your guide knows the current times and will organise the visit around them.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions make an activity dangerous or inadvisable, the excursion will be:
- Rescheduled: we will try to move the activity to another day of your trip.
- Replaced: if rescheduling is not possible, we will offer an alternative activity of equal value.
- Refunded: if neither rescheduling nor replacement is possible, you will receive a full refund for the excursion you were unable to take.
Please remember that rain during the wet season rarely spoils an entire day. You will always be informed in advance of any changes.
What are the pick-up times?
Pick-up is at 06:45 from your hotel in Bangkok. It is an early start, and it is the only way to reach the market in time for the train. Please be ready in the lobby at least 15 minutes beforehand. The timing of the boat section can shift slightly with the tide on the day, and your guide will always keep you informed.
What should I bring with me on this excursion?
For this excursion we suggest you bring:
- A change of clothes: if you plan to join the mangrove planting or the activities in the mud, bring old clothes you do not mind ruining, because the mud is stubborn.
- A towel and closed shoes you can afford to dirty, or water sandals.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Water and something to snack on during the early drive.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a meal in a local restaurant is included in the price. It is a good chance to taste the cooking of Samut Songkhram. If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please tell us when you book.
Can I cancel or change this excursion?
Yes, but specific terms apply: cancellation and amendment conditions vary from one activity to another, and you will find the exact details in the Terms and Conditions attached to your quotation. If you need to make a change, please write to us at info@thailandfantastic.com as soon as possible.
Are young children and infants allowed?
The excursion works well for families with children. Please always tell us the exact age of every participant when you request a quotation, so that we can check it suits them and adjust the programme where needed.
