Report Tourist Overcharging Allegations at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ Yamolpon Kaeosakun

 

A troubling incident at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi has sparked debate after a local woman accused a boat operator of severely overcharging her and her foreign friends.

 

Yamolpon Kaeosakun shared her experience on the popular Facebook group We Are Consumers, highlighting what she claims was an extortionate fee for a short boat tour. According to Yamolpon, she and her two foreign companions were charged 9,500 baht for the trip. She posted a photo of the long-tail boat used for the excursion, describing how they were assured by the boat driver that there was a standard rate applied equally to both Thais and foreigners.

 

The outing lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and members of the Facebook group quickly rallied behind Yamolpon, decrying the charge as excessive for a two-hour canal tour. Humorous comparisons flooded the comments, likening the cost to that of a yacht trip or even a plane ticket, with some users sharing that they paid significantly less for similar experiences.

 

A woman, believed to be involved in operating such tours, weighed in to justify the price, stating that it included stops at temples, an elephant sanctuary, and a Karen village, as well as elephant rides for all passengers. Despite these claims, Yamolpon was unconvinced, arguing that the price remained exorbitant. A local community leader contacted her to apologise and confirmed that the fee exceeded usual rates by approximately 1,000 to 1,500 baht.

 

This incident is not isolated at Damnoen Saduak. In January, concerns were raised about hygiene practices when a tourist observed staff washing dishes in the canal. Additionally, a controversy erupted when a South Korean influencer was charged 2,500 baht for photos with snakes at the market. Following backlash, the operator claimed to have lowered the fee, but the influencer declined and left.

 

These events have reignited discussions on fair pricing and ethical tourism practices. Some argue that tourists who accept inflated prices without question enable such practices to persist, potentially tarnishing the reputation of tourist destinations.

 

Yamolpon's post serves as a cautionary tale, urging visitors to be vigilant and negotiate prices. As the market continues to attract tourists, ensuring transparency and fairness remains crucial to maintaining its appeal and trustworthiness.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-20

 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

Overcharging at Damnoen Saduak (and Thailand in general)... The sky must be falling! 😆 

 

[Upnotover]

23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The outing lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and members of the Facebook group quickly rallied behind Yamolpon, decrying the charge as excessive for a two-hour canal tour

That's the old Thai clock ticking again.

[hotsun]

If everyone spoke out about it there would be no visitors left. That seems to be the direction its headed

[blaze master]

5 minutes ago, hotsun said:

If everyone spoke out about it there would be no visitors left. That seems to be the direction its headed

 

And yet they will continue to deny it while burying their collective heads in the sand. 

 

Get them to admit a wrong doing i dare you. 

[hotsun]

Just now, blaze master said:

 

And yet they will continue to deny it while burying their collective heads in the sand. 

 

Get them to admit a wrong doing i dare you. 

Ive been trying to get my wife to admit a wrong doing for 9 years it hasnt happened

[Bday Prang]

49 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The outing lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and members of the Facebook group quickly rallied behind Yamolpon, decrying the charge as excessive for a two-hour canal tour

by my calculation 10am to 1 pm is actually 3 hours   so i can't see what the fuss is about, 

[Bday Prang]

The whole incident seems to be about the local woman being charged "tourist" rates and the associated loss of face. had it just been foreigners it would not be mentioned

[TroubleandGrumpy]

59 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

some argue that tourists who accept inflated prices without question enable such practices to persist, potentially tarnishing the reputation of tourist destinations.

So it is all the fault of the tourists for accepting over-inflated rip-off pricing??

That is just unbelievable - but Thailand is amazing and anything is possible here. 

[ChrisY1]

Tell your friends and those in your home countries, if visiting BKK, not to go there!

Anyway....it's a stinking cesspool!

[Kandinski]

Wonder why Venice springs to mind? Boats perhaps? Overcharge maybe? Inflated prices sure!

[Patong2021]

19 hours ago, hotsun said:

Ive been trying to get my wife to admit a wrong doing for 9 years it hasnt happened

Is that how long you have been married?

[hotsun]

1 minute ago, Patong2021 said:

Is that how long you have been married?

Yes, in other words its never gonna happen

[Thumbs]

There is a good shop at the market that visibly prices everything they sell including tickets for boat rides, same price irrespective of nationality. Not sure why people go to thai vendors and attemp to haggle. You can tell you are going to get ripped off as soon as you ask the price and they delay for a few seconds while looking you up and down contemplating how high they can push the price and still get a sale but not so high as to create heated drama with you and risking further sales with approaching visitors 

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Overcharging at Damnoen Saduak (and Thailand in general)... The sky must be falling! 😆 

 

Has been going on there for years, any foreigner is a target...

I was taken there by Thai friends about 10 years ago, the boat operator wanted 500 baht per head for a 10 minute ride.. 6 people in the boat !!!!!

The canal side market is also a trap for over-pricing, never returned even though it's only 45 minutes away

[StayinThailand2much]

19 hours ago, hotsun said:

If everyone spoke out about it there would be no visitors left. That seems to be the direction its headed

 

Damnoen Saduak is a tourist trap. If one doesn't want to get ripped off there, better to stay away...

[Photoguy21]

20 hours ago, Upnotover said:

That's the old Thai clock ticking again.

Evidently the people complaining cant work out that 10am to 1pm is 3 hours not 2

[Ctkong]

If relevant authorities sleep on the job and let this trend continue, Thai people are just killing their golden goose. Short term profit cannibalising long term growth.

a short sighted business strategy. 

[Ctkong]

I remembered last year my Korean friend and wife wanting to visit Damnoen Saduak market even though they knew it is a tourist trap.  They were on holiday so this is one item from their bucket list.  My missus, a long term resident fluent in Thai,negotiated with the boatman on my behalf and managed to lower the price substantially.  It is what it is.