Officials To Regulate Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

RATCHABURI — Local authorities in Ratchaburi province will begin enforcing a cheaper, fixed price for boat rides along Thailand's famous floating market in Damnoen Saduak district.

According to the Governor of Ratchaburi province, Nisit Chansomwong, many Thai and foreign tourists have complained about the "extortionate" prices charged by locals to tour the market by boat.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market, where vendors sell a variety of goods and produce from small boats, is one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations and considered the country’s "original floating market."

The Governor said he plans to enforce new fixed prices that will apply to all boat owners operating along the market. Under the new regulation, hiring a row boat will cost 400 baht per hour, while a motor boat will cost 800 baht per hour for Thais and 2,000 baht per hour for foreigners.

Mr. Nisit said the price measure is the first of many efforts – both short and long term – to regulate the famed floating market, though he did not elaborate. 

"This action is just the first step. We will improve [the floating market] into an exemplar tourist site," Mr. Nisit said.