A Grand Collection of Thai Specialties～The "Sweet Grapes & Best of Damnoen Saduak Fair" Kicks Off on March 1

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

The 2012 Thai "Sweet Grape & Best of Damnoen Saduak Fair" (SWEET GRAPE & BEST OF DAMNOEN SADUAK FAIR) will take place on March 1 at the pier of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It’s a great opportunity to sample local specialties and enjoy a variety of OTOP (One Tambon One Product) items promoted by the Thai government. The event will last for a month, running daily from around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the plaza of Chotikaram Temple near the pier, activities such as the Sweet Grape Queen beauty pageant, sweet grape competitions, and noodle-eating contests will also be held.

Damnoen Saduak District in Thailand is a well-known traditional floating market where numerous boats shuttle along the river, loaded with fresh produce from nearby orchards and other goods. Located in Ratchaburi Province, one of the country’s most fertile agricultural regions, the area boasts ideal geographical conditions for crop cultivation. Its most famous specialties include white Malaga grapes, mangoes, coconuts, and sweet oranges.

After enjoying the festival, it’s recommended to take a boat tour along the Damnoen Saduak canals to trace the historical footsteps of Kings Rama IV and Rama V. During King Rama IV’s reign, the 32-kilometer-long canal was dredged, connecting the Mae Klong River and the Tacheen River. Historical evidence also shows that this area was once close to the Thailand-Myanmar border, serving as a bustling trade port and hub for merchants.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located about 105 kilometers west of Bangkok. You can take a bus from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Damnoen Saduak, with the journey taking approximately two hours. For more information, you can call the bus station at +66-2435-5031.

● Read more: Bangkok Weekend Markets Loved by Locals—Taling Chan Floating Market

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