Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

History of Thai floating markets (origins).
In the past the areas adjacent to the rivers were the first to be populated. Thus most communities of Thailand were built at the sides of rivers. The waterways served as means of transportation and the center of economic activity as well. Boats were mainly used for both local and regional trade, bringing goods from those that produced to those that could barter and trade. Such ways of life of the riverside communities, especially in the Chao Phraya River Basin increase number of floating markets.
Floating markets became the hubs of the communities in the central plain of Thailand for centuries. In the Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) due to the existence of several adjoining canals, which were suitable for trading, they helped to gain popularity for this type of market.