Pak Nam Market vs Khlong Dan Market
1. Pak Nam Market
Pak Nam Market is conveniently located not far from Bangkok, right in the heart of Mueang Samut Prakan District, along the riverside. In the past, Samut Prakan Province was home to the Pak Nam Railway Station, which belonged to Thailand’s first privately operated railway line. Today, the former station area has transformed into Pak Nam Market, a well-known destination for fresh seafood.
However, the history still remains the Pak Nam Railway Monument stands proudly at the entrance of the fresh market, serving as a reminder that this area was once the original Pak Nam Railway Station.
Another highlight here is the “Vibulsri Pier”, a local ferry pier where you can cross the river to visit Phra Samut Chedi. During the annual Phra Samut Chedi Worship Festival, the ferry ride becomes especially popular as many visitors travel across to join the event.
If you don’t want to miss it, click here >>> Phra Samut Chedi Worship Festival.
You can also stop by for some relaxing photos at the Pom Phi Suea Samut Fortress Museum, located on a small river island in the Chao Phraya River, just south of Phra Samut Chedi.
The Pak Nam Market in Samut Prakan is truly a bustling commercial hub for both retail and wholesale. You’ll find everything here from fresh seafood like shrimp, shellfish, crabs, fish, and squid, to dried goods at great prices. The market is also filled with household items, daily essentials, and plenty of delicious local food.
Some must-try highlights include Mae Auan’s steamed dumplings, the legendary grilled snacks from Lim Damrong, a comforting bowl of noodles from Paek Ngok, or the spicy and flavorful Yen Ta Fo from Jae Chook.
If you’re visiting with family, you can sit down for a proper meal at Krua Ban Ple, but my personal all-time favorite is the classic Hainanese chicken rice and red pork rice at the old shop right in front of the market. And whenever I visit with my grandma, we never miss Sa Tor Tue Huan, a third-generation, half-century-old local gem. Their signature dishes are the Tue Huan (pork offal soup) and the unique stuffed sticky rice, known as Juk Bee. Unlike others, their version uses taro filling instead of peanuts a recipe passed down since the beginning. The assorted pork offal is incredibly fresh, featuring tender pork tongue, liver, large intestines, small intestines, stomach, and spleen, all guaranteed with zero unpleasant odor.
And this is just a small part of what Pak Nam has to offer there are many more amazing spots waiting to be explored. So if you don’t know where to go this weekend, trust me, Pak Nam Market is a must-visit. And don’t forget to bring home some fresh seafood while you’re at it!
Travel
- Location: Pak Nam Subdistrict, Samut Prakan City Municipality, Samut Prakan, Thailand
- Landmark: Pak Nam Railway Monument
- How to Get There: The BTS Green Line goes almost all the way. Get off at BTS Pak Nam Station, then take a local bus or taxi to the market. You can also walk if you prefer — it’s not very far from the station.
Website: Pak Nam Market – Samut Prakan
2. Khlong Dan Market
Khlong Dan Market, located in Khlong Dan Subdistrict, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province, is a long-established hub for fresh seafood sourced directly from local fishermen. It is regarded as one of the best seafood markets in Samut Prakan, offering exceptionally affordable prices. The market is well-known and trusted by locals and visitors from nearby provinces who frequently come to shop for fresh seafood and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Support Local Seafood from Khlong Dan Community
Khlong Dan Market is still considered an essential community-supporting market in Khlong Dan Subdistrict. It helps promote local livelihoods by giving residents the opportunity to sell various products especially fresh seafood such as shrimp, mussels, cockles, crab, fish, and many kinds of pla salid all sourced from the Gulf of Thailand near the Khlong Dan area, directly to visitors.
The market also hosts the annual “Ahan Dee Si Khlong Dan” festival, featuring grilled squid and a wide selection of fresh seafood dishes. There is also a dedicated zone for OTOP products, including dried shrimp, fish sauce, and fermented shrimp paste (kapi), which are well-known specialties of the subdistrict.
And if all the walking makes you hungry, you can stop by Jae Oi @ Tai Talat, famous for its khao kluk kapi (shrimp paste fried rice). Another great stop is Khrua Khun Koi for spicy salmon salad and affordable one-dish meals. But personally, I’d recommend Pae Heng, known for its flavorful roasted duck and palo duck it never disappoints.
Travel
Location: Khlong Dan Market, Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Dan Subdistrict, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province
How to Get There:
By public transportation: take the Samrong–Khlong Dan minivan
Take the Paknam–Khlong Dan songthaew (local shared truck)
By private car: parking is available at Wat Charoen Woraram
