How We Got Taken for a Ride in Bangkok (Literally)

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

In 2018, my husband and I took our first trip to Southeast Asia, spending a month exploring Thailand’s diverse landscapes - from the misty mountains of Pai to the sun-kissed beaches of Ko Pha Ngan. Our travels led us to Bangkok, a city pulsating with energy, where the air is thick with spicy street food and just the faintest whiff of adventure (or possibly durian).

One of our must-dos in Bangkok was visiting a floating market, the kind you see in glossy travel brochures—boats stacked with food, vendors passing steaming bowls of noodles across the water, the occasional tourist attempting to barter for a trinket they don’t need but suddenly must have. Feeling particularly accomplished in my travel planning, I had our kind hotel staff in Bangkok write down the market’s name - Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - in Thai, ensuring we wouldn't get lost. Or so I thought.

The Tuk-Tuk That Took Us for a Ride

As we stepped outside the hotel, a Bangkok tuk-tuk driver waved us over with the enthusiasm of a man who had just spotted his next commission. He was young, energetic, and—unbeknownst to us—possibly an aspiring race car driver. I proudly presented my sticky note, asked if he could take us there, and with a broad grin, he ushered us into his vibrant, slightly battered tuk-tuk.

Bangkok traffic is chaotic—cars, buses, scooters, and tuk-tuks weaving in and out of lanes with a level of confidence that suggested traffic laws were merely polite suggestions. Our driver took to the roads with a thrilling disregard for physics, zipping between vehicles, dodging pedestrians, and skimming so close to sidewalks that I briefly reconsidered my life choices.

After what felt like an exhilarating near-death experience, the tuk-tuk squealed to a halt. We looked around. No boats. No water. Just a narrow alley lined with vendors selling cheap electronics and knockoff handbags.

Confused, I showed him the sticky note again, pointing to it with increasing desperation. He nodded, flashed a reassuring smile, and off we went again—bobbing and weaving through the chaotic streets of Bangkok.

The second stop was, if possible, even more baffling. Instead of a floating market, we were now standing in front of a tailor shop. Before we could react, impeccably dressed tailors appeared from nowhere, dragged us inside their store while rolling out bolts of fabric and eyeing us like we were mannequins in dire need of a bespoke outfit.

We were officially part of the classic Bangkok tuk-tuk scam, where well-meaning tourists are detoured to businesses in hopes of earning the driver a commission. After some quick maneuvering (which involved a lot of nervous laughter and apologetic smiles), we managed to escape the overly enthusiastic tailors and hopped back into the tuk-tuk. This time, we waved frantically in the direction of our hotel, silently vowing to never trust sticky notes again.

Finally, the Floating Market—For Real

Had I done my research correctly, I would have realized that the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market was an hour and a half outside Bangkok—far beyond the range of what a tuk-tuk driver would entertain. Back at the hotel, we opted for a proper metered taxi, arranged by the hotel where the driver, without hesitation or side quests, took us straight to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

And it was everything we had hoped it would be. Boats bobbing along narrow canals, merchants selling handcrafted souvenirs, hand-carved puppets dangling above the water, and—most importantly—the best Pad Thai of our lives. A tiny, wrinkled Thai woman paddled up alongside us, her boat somehow doubling as a fully functioning kitchen. Within minutes, she had whipped up a steaming plate of noodles, handed it over with a smile, and floated away before we could even tell her how incredible it was.

Sometimes, travel teaches you things in the most unexpected ways. And sometimes, it just teaches you to double-check your sticky notes!

Lessons Learned from Our Tuk-Tuk Adventure

If you take away anything from our misadventure, let it be this:

• Research Your Destination: Many floating markets, like Damnoen Saduak, are located well outside central Bangkok. Understanding the distance and transportation options can save time, money and confusion.

  
  

• Choose Reliable Transportation: While tuk-tuks offer a fun way to explore the city, for longer journeys, especially to destinations outside Bangkok, consider using metered taxis or organized tours through services like Viator or GetYourGuide, to ensure a smoother experience.

  
  

• Embrace the Adventure: Travel mishaps can lead to the most memorable stories. Stay flexible and enjoy the journey, even when things don't go as planned.

Have you ever been 'taken for a ride' on your travels? Share your stories in the comments below.