5 Best Sights in Around Bangkok, Thailand

The charming village of Amphawa, 10 km (7 miles) by songthaew from Samut Songkhram, has a floating market similar to, but smaller than, the one in Damnoen Saduak. It is also touristy but less in-your-face about it, with cafés and boutiques full of character, and so is often preferred. The market is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 8 pm. The food market in the street adjacent to the canal starts at around 1 pm. Popular firefly tours allow you to enjoy both the market and the beautiful insect-lighted trees. The bugs are best seen from May to October and in the waning moon. The hourlong tours usually run every half hour from 6 to 9 pm. You can arrange a tour directly with Mae Klong Market Pier (B800 for a boat) or through your hotel. Unless you have private transportation, you'll have to spend the night in Amphawa, but there are some lovely options. The last bus back to Bangkok is in the early evening.

A colorful market of produce and other foods sold by vendors on small boats, Damnoen Saduak is an icon of Thai tourism. Often overrun with visitors, these days the market pays lip service to the authentic commercial life of this canal-strewn corner of Thailand. On the other hand, even though it feels like a theatrical production, this is one of the few opportunities to witness a fading Thai tradition. And some of the food—including noodle soup, seafood dishes, grilled meats, mango ice cream, coconut pancakes, and fried bananas—is extremely tasty. The best way to enjoy the market is to come early and hire a boat. The area only becomes more crowded as the day progresses and ever more tour groups arrive.

On weekends Thai families flock to the seaside town of Don Hoi Lod, about 3 km (2 miles) south of Samut Songkhram, to feast on clams and other seafood dishes at tree-shaded restaurants and the local fresh market at the mouth of the Mae Khlong River. The village is named after a local clam with a tubular shell, the fossilized remains of which are found on the riverbanks. The best times to view the fossils are April and May, when the water is low. The rest of the year you can also see the fossils in the early morning and in the evening at low tide.

The world's largest outdoor museum with more than 100 replicas and reconstructions of Thailand's most important architectural sites, monuments, and palaces, this 320-hectare park is shaped like the country, and the attractions are placed roughly in their correct geographical positions. A "traditional Thai village" on the grounds sells crafts, but the experience is surprisingly nontouristy. The park takes about 4 hours to cover by car. You can rent a bicycle at the entrance for B150 or take advantage of free electric tuk-tuk service with your ticket purchase. Small outdoor cafés throughout the grounds serve decent Thai food.

Sometimes referred to as "the Rose Garden" because of its historic emphasis on rose flower cultivation, this 50-acre agricultural complex has expanded to produce herbs, bananas, and various other flowers, including orchids. The Sookjai Farmers' Market is worth a stop, and just a short canal boat ride away is Patom Organic Farm. Within the complex are traditional houses where guests can participate in activities such as garland and pottery making. Patom Organic Café offers cold drinks and light meals.