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District in Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Amphawa (Thai: อัมพวา) is a district (amphoe) of Samut Songkhram province, at the northwestern tip of the Bay of Bangkok, West of Bangkok. The canal-side way of life in Amphawa takes place along the waterfront walkways of Amphawa Canal, a small tributary of the Mae Khlong River. Every weekend Thais flock to the Amphawa Floating Market, as big queues emerge along the canal's bridges and walkways. While commercially developed, the old wooden houses and shopfronts retain some of their original charm.
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The name means "the city of Chuchai in the glory of Amphawa". It is a billion baht entertainment complex 500 m from the floating market that features an 18-room hotel, shopping centre, restaurant, and Hindu shine. The building is an outrageous mix of Thai traditional and neoclassical, reminiscent of high society during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. It was built by a wealthy Thai gemstone dealer and designer, Chuchai Chairitthilert, who was bewitched by Amphawa. The five storey building was opened in March 2016.
Built in honour of King Rama II at the place believed to be his birthplace. It's a botanical garden with traditional Thai stilt houses. Some of the attractions here are the teak mansion museum displaying 18th-century artifacts, the traditional plays and the Thai dessert cooking demonstration.
Typical Amphawan coffee shop, as is shown by the wooden interior and retro feel. Drinks must be ordered from the cafe, but you can freely choose food from one of the boat vendors.
Most visitors come to Amphawa on a day-trip from Bangkok. You can take the fast mini van from Victory Monument to Damnoen Saduak and get off at Amphawa.
Read in the guideIt's only a small village and so everything is within walking distance. The floating market is immensely popular and consequently there are enormous queues, especially at the pedestrian bridges over the canal.
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