Khlong 16 Old Market

Rating: 5/5 (1 votes)

Open Days: Sunday

Opening Hours: 09.00–16.00

 

Khlong 16 Old Market, also widely known as the “Khlong 16 Old Market District,” is a historic canal-side market community in Don Chimplee Subdistrict, Bang Nam Priao District, Chachoengsao Province. It offers the rare combination of satisfying local food and a meaningful cultural experience in a single visit. This is not a market created purely for tourism; it is a trading district with genuine community roots, shaped by long-standing stories of people from different ethnicities and religions living side by side. With its canal-based rhythm of life, walking here feels like reading local history through the breeze, the water, and the people. If you are looking for a Chachoengsao destination that is unhurried, easy to explore on foot, enjoyable for food lovers, and rich in authentic community atmosphere, Khlong 16 Old Market is a rewarding choice without any need for artificial staging.

 

Khlong 16 Old Market is charming from the moment you arrive. It may not feel grand like a major landmark, but its appeal comes from small details that make you sense the past is still present—rows of shops and homes that retain the original community character, walkways that invite you to slow down and look closely, and a friendly trading atmosphere typical of places where people truly know one another. What sets this district apart from many retro-style markets is that the community still feels “alive.” The story of Khlong 16 is told through local residents, through shops that sell and cook for real, and through Sunday activities that the community jointly brings to life. As a result, both Thai and international visitors can enjoy the experience naturally, without needing any special background knowledge.

 

From a wider perspective, the Khlong 16 market community once served as an important subdistrict-level economic zone in the era when roads were still inconvenient. Local life was therefore deeply tied to rivers and canals. Travel in the area once depended mainly on motorboats and waterways, and trading activity followed the canal’s rhythm. Everyday goods flowed in from different places, while local produce was distributed outward through waterway trade networks. When the canal functioned as the road, the market became a true “center” where people met daily, and where economic relationships naturally evolved into long-term social bonds.

 

Another layer of interest is the area’s diverse population structure. The district includes Thai people of Chinese descent, Buddhist communities, and Muslim communities, making the market not only a place of exchanging goods, but also a place of exchanging culture and ways of life. If you walk slowly and observe carefully, you will notice that differences are not separated here; they are placed together in a shared space shaped by community-made rules and mutual understanding. This reflects an important truth: in many Thai communities, a “market” is not only a venue for buying and selling, but also a space that allows people to live together over the long term.

 

In more recent local history, the Khlong 16 market district experienced a major event that many residents still remember: a fire in 2000 (B.E. 2543). The damage was significant enough that the market could not be fully restored to its original form. This event caused parts of the old market to become quieter as time passed. However, the community’s memory did not disappear with buildings or shops. What remained were the stories passed down through generations, and the canal-side way of life that continued. Over time, cultural tourism activities became one way the community has used to “extend the life” of its shared memories and encourage younger generations to see the area through a new lens—without abandoning the community’s original identity.

 

Today, the “Khlong 16 Old Market District” feels like a conversation between past and present. The past lives in its history as a lively canal trading community and in the multicultural structure that gives the area its distinct character. The present appears in Sunday activities that bring the district back to life, in food and local stalls that add color to community streets and alleys, and in visitors who come intentionally to walk, support local businesses, and learn. This makes the area more than just a photo backdrop; it becomes a “learning space” where you can enjoy yourself while gaining real understanding.

 

The best part of visiting Khlong 16 Old Market is that you do not need to rush to do anything special. Start by walking and absorbing the atmosphere, then let the food aromas and community sounds guide you naturally. Sundays are typically the liveliest, with more stalls offering traditional dishes, drinks, desserts, and small souvenirs. Some shops feel like stepping back into the era of home-style cooking—simple flavors, confident craftsmanship, and honest care. As you continue walking, you will realize the district’s charm is not luxury, but the well-balanced everyday life of a community that does not try to imitate anywhere else.

 

Another reason Khlong 16 Old Market feels meaningful is the natural coexistence of different religions and cultures within the same area. The district carries both Thai–Chinese heritage and Muslim community culture, reflected through shops, food traditions, and local atmosphere. Walking here becomes a lesson that diversity is not distant or theoretical; it is present in real everyday life, made harmonious through respect in shared spaces. This is why many visitors feel they gain “meaning” beyond simply finding something to eat.

 

If you are a photography-focused traveler, Khlong 16 Old Market offers elements that let your images tell stories without staged props. Try capturing community walkways where sunlight hits old walls, shop signs and small details of local businesses, and real canal-life moments that remain authentic. If you want photos with a strong community feeling, look for relationships between people and place—customers buying food, conversations at shopfronts, or children walking through the neighborhood. Always photograph politely and avoid disturbing local routines, so the district can remain welcoming and comfortable for residents and visitors alike.

 

For food lovers, one of the district’s strengths is variety. You will find easy, home-style Thai dishes as well as foods that reflect the community’s cultural mix—especially restaurants and cafés that serve halal options, making it convenient for groups and families with different dietary needs to travel together. Eating here can be enjoyed as a “flavor walk”: start with something savory, continue with dessert, and finish with a cold drink or coffee to rest your legs before exploring more. This rhythm fits the old market atmosphere perfectly, because everything here naturally suits an unhurried pace.

 

To get the most out of your visit, it helps to arrive in the morning or late morning, when the heat is milder and more shops tend to be open. After exploring, you can select small local treats to take home—desserts, dried snacks, or simple items that represent the community. This way, the trip does not end as just a casual walk; you take back something tangible as part of the memory.

 

One important thing to keep in mind in a multicultural community area is public etiquette. Dress modestly, especially when passing near religious sites or community spaces where religious activities may be taking place. If you want to take photos, ask politely or choose angles that do not disturb people. Avoid blocking walkways or interrupting shop operations, especially when the area is busy. Respect for the space is the key to high-quality cultural tourism and helps communities feel comfortable welcoming visitors in the long term.

 

Getting There is possible both by private car and by local transfers. If you drive from Bangkok, head toward Chachoengsao Province, continue to Bang Nam Priao District, then enter Don Chimplee Subdistrict to reach the Khlong 16 market district. On Sundays, it is wise to allow time for parking, as this is the busiest day. If you travel by public transport, a practical approach is to reach Bang Nam Priao town or Chachoengsao city first, then take a local taxi or hired vehicle to Don Chimplee Subdistrict and the Khlong 16 district. Once you arrive, walking is the best way to explore, because the district’s charm comes from observing details and absorbing the community atmosphere step by step.

 

If you want to plan a full one-day trip, Khlong 16 Old Market is well suited as a morning starting point because you can eat, walk, and experience community life first, then continue to temples or major attractions in Chachoengsao in the afternoon. This creates a day that balances canal-community heritage with well-known landmarks. If you prefer a half-day outing, spending around 2 to 4 hours in the district is usually enough for photos, good food, and a meaningful introduction to the community story.

 

Ultimately, Khlong 16 Old Market is a place that shows how a “community” is not just a beautiful word in a book, but something you can truly feel through people living together, through food and trade, and through the ongoing effort to preserve local memories so the area can keep telling its story across generations. If you want to see a deeper side of Chachoengsao beyond simple check-ins, the Khlong 16 Old Market District is one place worth experiencing for yourself at least once.

 

 

A: The tourism atmosphere of the “Khlong 16 Old Market District” is most prominent on Sundays, when there are typically more stalls and community activities.

 

A: For the widest range of open stalls and more comfortable weather, it is best to arrive in the morning or late morning on Sunday.

 

A: It reflects the coexistence of Thai-Chinese, Buddhist, and Muslim communities within the same area, so visitors can enjoy local food while learning real community life stories.

 

A: Yes. Travel to Bang Nam Priao town or Chachoengsao city first, then take a local taxi or hired vehicle to Don Chimplee Subdistrict and the Khlong 16 district.

 

A: Most visitors spend about 2 to 4 hours for strolling, eating, and photos. You can also combine it with other attractions in Chachoengsao for a full one-day trip.

 

A: A major fire occurred in 2000 (B.E. 2543), damaging parts of the old market. The community later revitalized the area through local activities to bring life back to the district.