Local Train to Maeklong Railway Market and Khlong Khon Mangroves (from Bangkok)
One day, two very different Thailands: the local train that rolls straight into Maeklong Railway Market, a working coconut sugar producer in the countryside, and the quiet mangrove channels of Khlong Khon where wild macaques swim out to the boat. Private, with an English-speaking guide, less than two hours from Bangkok.
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Maeklong Railway Market tour and the mangroves of Khlong Khon: two Thailands before mid-afternoon
A private Maeklong railway market tour, to see a part of Thailand that is still the real thing: the one where people work. Board the local train to Maeklong and watch from the window as traders pull back their awnings for the passing train and put them straight back ten seconds later. Stop at a coconut farm, where the sugar is still cooked in woks the way it was thirty years ago. At Khlong Khon, follow the fishermen sliding across the mud on a wooden board to collect cockles, between the mangroves and the monkeys that live there free.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFBKK30 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Departures every day |
Sample Itinerary
Your English-speaking guide and private driver meet you in your hotel lobby in Bangkok. You choose the departure time when you book, and it sets the shape of the whole day.
Private air-conditioned transfer out of the city and into Samut Sakhon province, where the train leaves from.
You board the service train to Maeklong: the real one, used by commuters and by women heading to market with their baskets. Open carriages, ceiling fans, windows down, vendors stepping on and off at every stop. This is not a tourist line, it is the public transport of this coast, and it crosses salt pans, palm groves and fishing villages at walking pace.
On the last stretch the train runs into Maeklong Railway Market. The stalls sit inches from the windows: traders pull back awnings and canopies as you pass and put them straight back once you are through, without stopping serving. Everyone else watches this from the side of the tracks. You go through the middle of it. Then you step down at the station and walk the market with your guide.
Into the Samut Songkhram countryside, to a working artisan producer of coconut sugar: sap collected from the flower stems, slow cooking in wide woks, shaping by hand. You taste it, and you understand why the supermarket version is not the same thing.
Arrival at the fishing village with a local lunch. Then a private longtail boat along the mangrove waterways and coastal mudflats: the stilt houses of the village, the oyster and mussel farms offshore, and the swimming monkeys that have lived free here for generations and dive in beside the boat. With the right tide you will also see cockle pickers sliding over the mud on a kradan, the flat wooden board pushed along with one leg.
Private transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- English-speaking assistance
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private air-conditioned transfer to and from your hotel in Bangkok
- Local train ticket
- Visit to Maeklong Railway Market
- Visit to an artisan coconut sugar producer
- Lunch at local restaurant (drinks not included)
- Private longtail boat trip through the mangroves
Not Included
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
Useful Tips
- The local train has no air conditioning and no reserved seats: that is part of it, but in the hot season the 06:30 option is the comfortable one.
- If you plan to step onto the mudflats, bring a full change of old clothes: mangrove mud is stubborn and does not wash out easily.
- Bring a towel and closed shoes you do not mind ruining, or water sandals.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- The monkeys are wild animals: keep your distance and do not feed them.
- Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with heart or back problems.
- Please do not touch or collect shellfish and marine life: this is a 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 personalized 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. Travelers 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 personalized 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 receive a refund for the excursion you were unable to take. Bank and collection fees on online payments are not refundable.
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 program where needed.
