THAILAND – Nakhon Pathom – Khlong Maha Sawat and Don Wai Market – Local Farmers’ Life

Description

Klong Maha Sawat is a canal located in Nakhom Pathom province. This khlong, only one hour drive from Bangkok, was dug under an order of King Rama IV 150 years ago, to facilitate connections and travels of locals from province to province to go and trade their goods and pay respect to main temple of the province.
Although very close of busling Bangkok, a journey in Mahasawat will offer the guests the opportunity to witness an authentic rural way of life that stands still nowadays in spite of modernity.
During a peaceful boat stroll through lotus farms or lush orchards, guests will experience various activities to learn more about farmer’s life whose work contributes to support all the community around.
The tour will end by a tasty local lunch in the picturesque and century old Don Wai market, one of  the oldest floating market in Thailand and still retaining its characteristics of the old times.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• THAILAND – Nakhon Pathom – Encounter and Gastronomic Lunch Experience along the river
• THAILAND – Bangkok – Chinatown Tuk Tuk Food Tour and Night Stroll
• THAILAND – Bangkok – Manohra cruise

Selling points

• A really relaxing escape in the green countryside only 1 hour drive from bustling Bangkok
• A full day tour with a very complete and various experience of local life.
• An encounter with authentic rural daily life.
• A sustainable human dimension – Community based tourism
• Boat ride on a khlong, Lotus farm, orchid farms, tropical fruits tasting, rice thai snacks: some iconic symbols of Thailand gathered in an half day activity.

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Positive impacts

This activity aims to create a meaningful experience for both the guests as well as local farmers. Throughout the activity guests will use local means of transportation and learn about the local economy, which creates income and opportunities for the farmers.

Negative impacts

Some of the local transportations use fossil fuel, which causes Co² pollution.

Time And Transportation

Duration

• Half day – 3h30 to 4h
• Recommended starting time at Maha Sawat:
  • Morning → 08:30 – 09:30
  • Afternoon → 13:30 – 14:00

Min pax

1

Max pax

15

How to sell it

• A escape into lush countryside away from bustle and pollution, just one hour drive from Bangkok
• An initiation to local’s farmer life and encounters with locals.
• A responsible touristic approach to discover authentic rural life while supporting community
• A relaxing experience suitable for families, groups of friends, senior and small groups
• Also Suitable for guests more into agriculture, plants and fruits, and crops.
• The tour must be sold ideally in the morning to avoid the heat of afternoon.

Why this activity

• To be able to propose an easy access activity in countryside for those who don’t have time or budget to go far in the north, or overnight in Kanchanaburi.
• To offer an sustainable human experience in Bangkok close surroundings
• To cater to Agriculture, sustainable human or Community based tourism thematic
• To differentiate of regular khlong tour in Damnoen Saduak or Thonburi.

Good to combine with

• THAILAND – Bangkok – Chinatown Tuk Tuk Food Tour and Night Stroll for a complete gastromic and immersive day among locals

• At the end, if guests prefer to have a real gastronomic experience in a very nice restaurant combine with THAILAND – Nakhon Pathom – Encounter and Gastronomic Lunch Experience along the river replacing the simple lunch in local restaurant on the market by this gastronomic experience and encounter.
• Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River
• Free afternoon at leisure.
• Visit of Nakhom Pathom (Wat Phra Pahtom Chedi)
• An overnight stay in Kanchanaburi or Kwai River

Do not combine with

• THAILAND – Samut Songkhram – A leisurely paddle boat ride along the canal in Tha Kha
• Avoid to combine with Tha Kha Private Lunch: arrival in Tha Kha might too late for community of Tha Kha
• Long transfer to North or other region.

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• All DMC are ablt to propose this experience. Not a signature product

Pros

• Easy to book
• Easily accessibility – 1 hour drive from Bangkok
• Parking for Bus make it convenient for GIT
• Proximity of Bangkok will allows guests to come back mid afternoon and enjoy rest of afternoon at leisure: ideal for families
• Cater to many types of travelers
• A ideal all in one activities with some key selling points of Thainess: boat tour / fruit tasting / lotus farm / orchid farm
• A sustainable human activity to support local community

Cons

• Could be hot if done on afternoon time
• Could be crowded on weekend day: it’s also a demanded destination for locals.
• Possible for big groups but could be complicated logistic wise

Information

• Khlong Maha Sawat : The activity  can be operated everyday :  8.00-16.00
• Donwai Market opens daily : 7.00 – 18.00
• On week end days, Market of Mahasawat  (different of Don Wai) will make it more lively and increase the local daily life atmosphere
• On week day, market of Mahasawat (different of Don Wai) will be closed.
• Lunch Don Wai Market will be in a local restaurant: rather clean, good and tasty, but some guests might feel not comfortable eating in local place

Alerts

• Many of the landing piers along Khlong Mahasawat can be steep, rickety or slippery. As a result, less able bodied visitors may find it hard to get in and out of the boats. Travellers with children should also take extra care and request life jackets if needed.
• On week day, market of Mahasawat (different of Don Wai) will be closed.
• Could be hot if done on afternoon.

Important information

• Khlong Maha Sawat activity must be booked 3 days in advance
• Lunch Don Wai Market will be in a local restaurant

Price range

THB1390 - 600

Quotation guideline

• Activity operated by community, guides and supplier
• Refer to ERP and operation cost.

Inclusion

• Activities fee
• Lunch at local restaurant

Exclusion

• Easia guide
• Transportation

Possible Extra

• To conclude the Maha Sawat experience with a real gastronomic touch (instead of the regular lunch in Don Wai Market) combine this tour in Maha Sawat with THAILAND – Nakhon Pathom – Encounter and Gastronomic Lunch Experience along the river
• Info and rates as per ERP and contract

Remark

• Whatever time of year make sure guests are reminded to protect themselves from the sun with a hat and sunscreen.

Important notes

• Khlong Maha Sawat activity must be booked 3 days in advance
• Sometimes, hyacinth (plant floating on the canal) will block the canal way: normally community villagers clean the way when they have bookings if we book sufficiently on time
• Important: In case of combination with Encounter and gastromic lunch experience along the river at Aoywann: as the guests will conclude the Maha Sawat and Don Wai tour at Aoywaan no need to give cash advance for guide for the lunch in local restaurant. This Encounter and gastronomic lunch experience will be pay by Bank Transfer to Aoywann by reservation. Please ensure with Reservation that payment is well done.

Special Guide notes

• Whatever time of year make sure guests are reminded to protect themselves from the sun with a hat and sunscreen.
• Recommended maximum 5 pax per boat

Different Choice

• THAILAND – Samut Songkhram – A leisurely paddle boat ride along the canal in Tha Kha
• THAILAND – Bangkok – Get a glimpse of Bangkok local life on the canal
• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
• Bizarre Traditional Markets near Bangkok – Tha Kha and Talad Rom Hoob

Contact

• Khlong Maha Sawat Activitiy : contact K.Manoon 081-495-9091

English

Khlong Maha Sawat and Don Wai Market – Local Farmers’ Life

Escape the frantic Bangkok centre and delve into the farmers’ life in a peaceful village along Khlong Maha Sawat. You will see the canal built by King Rama IV, orchard farms and lotus farms and learn about the importance of these flowers in Thai culture. Travel by boat to admire beautiful orchids at a farm. Discover how foods are being farmed and taste local treats like rice crackers and tropical fruits, before continuing to Don Wai market, located on the banks of the river. This is one of the oldest in Thailand, dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century and still retaining its characteristics of the time. Here you’ll meander among dishes not commonly palatable for the eyes and taste buds of Westerners, but each more colorful and exotic than the next before enjoying tasty lunch in a local restaurant.

French

Khlong Maha Sawat et le marché de Don Wai – La vie des fermiers locaux

Echappez-vous de la frénésie du centre de Bangkok pour découvrir la vie paisible des fermiers du village le long du khlong Maha Sawat. Admirez le canal construit par le Roi Rama IV, les vergers et fermes de lotus et apprenez-en davantage sur l’importance de ces fleurs dans la culture thaïe. Voyagez en bateau pour admirer de magnifiques orchidées dans une ferme. Découvrez comment les aliments sont cultivés et goûtez les friandises locales comme les biscuits de riz et les fruits tropicaux, avant de continuer vers le marché Don Wai situé sur le bord de la rivière. C’est l’un des plus vieux marchés de Thaïlande datant du début du XXe siècle et qui conserve encore aujourd’hui des caractéristiques de cette époque. Vous serpenterez entre les étals et découvrirez les plats exotiques et colorés de la cuisine locale.

Spanish

Khlong Maha Sawat y el mercado Don Wai – La vida de los agricultores locales

Escape del frenético centro de Bangkok y ahonde en la vida de los agricultores en un tranquilo pueblo cerca de Khlong Maha Sawat. Recorra el canal construido por el rey Rama IV, observe las huertas y las granjas de loto y aprenda sobre la importancia de estas flores en la cultura tailandesa. Viaje en barco para admirar hermosas orquídeas en una granja. Descubra cómo se cultivan los alimentos y pruebe las delicias locales, como las galletitas de arroz y las frutas tropicales, antes de continuar al mercado Don Wai, ubicado en los márgenes del río. Este es uno de los más antiguos de Tailandia, remontándose a principios del siglo XX, y aún mantiene sus características de la época. Aquí podrá deambular entre platos que normalmente no están al alcance de la mirada y las papilas gustativas de los occidentales, pero cada uno de ellos es más colorido y exótico que el anterior.

Italian

Khlong Maha Sawat ed il mercato di Don Wai – Alla scoperta della vita in campagna

Sfuggite al frenetico centro di Bangkok e seguite il corso del Khlong Maha Sawat, fino ad un placido villaggio. Mentre scivolate lentamente lungo il canale commissionato dal Re Rama IV, ammirate giardini di orchidee e fiori di loto e scoprite l’importanza di questi fiori nella tradizione Tailandese. Viaggia in barca per ammirare bellissime orchidee in una fattoria. Scopri come vengono coltivati gli alimenti e assaggia le delizie locali come i cracker di riso e la frutta tropicale prima di ripartire alla volta del Mercato di Don Wai, situato sulle sponde del fiume. Annoverato tra i più datati della Tailandia, questo mercato risale all’inizio del XX secolo ed ancora conserva immutati i suoi tratti distintivi originari. Gettatevi a capofitto nei meandri delle bancarelle che si susseguono disordinate, alla scoperta dei cibi più stravaganti e colorati, ai quali gli occhi ed il palato degli occidentali non sempre sono abituati.

German

Khlong Maha Sawat und Don-Wai-Markt – das Leben der lokalen Bauern

Entfliehen Sie dem hektischen Zentrum Bangkoks und tauchen Sie in das Leben der Bauern in einem friedlichen Dorf entlang des Khlong Maha Sawat ein. Sehen Sie den von König Rama VI. erbauten Kanal, besuchen Sie Orchideen- und Lotusfarmen und lernen Sie mehr über die Bedeutung dieser Blumen in der thailändischen Kultur. Fahren Sie mit dem Boot und bewundern Sie wunderschöne Orchideen auf einer Farm. Entdecken Sie, wie Lebensmittel angebaut werden, und probieren Sie lokale Köstlichkeiten wie Reiscracker und tropische Früchte, bevor Sie weiter zum Don-Wai-Markt ans Flussufer fahren. Es handelt sich um einen der ältesten Märkte in Thailand, der zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts entstanden ist und bis heute die Charakteristika dieser Zeit beibehalten hat. Sie können zwischen Gerichten, die nicht für alle Augen schmackhaft erscheinen werden, herumschlendern und Knospen der Westler probieren – ein Gericht ist farbenprächtiger und exotischer als das andere.

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