Missing Mom, Returning Home to Bang Bo 10/15: Boat Ride to Pik Ka Floating Market, Paying Respect to Luang Pho Pan

Missing Mom, Returning Home to Bang Bo 10/15: Boat Ride to Pik Ka Floating Market, Paying Respect to Luang Pho Pan

Bang Bo... This simple-sounding name holds deep memories for me, mr.hotsia, who grew up alongside the brackish canals and the water-based lifestyle of the locals. My hometown is by Ban Rakat canal, a tributary of Samrong canal. This place is not just an ordinary residence but the origin of Bang Bo salted fish, famous nationwide for its deliciousness and proudly exported abroad.

This time, I intentionally returned to Bang Bo slowly to live as the locals do—by boat to Pik Ka Floating Market, a small market by Samrong canal that still preserves the traditional floating market atmosphere, like the 150-year-old Bang Phli Old Market I once shared about.150-Year-Old Bang Phli Old MarketBut Pik Ka Floating Market retains its traditional floating market charm even more because local boats still float selling fresh produce, local food, and everyday items that are rare nowadays.

I started by paddling a small boat myself from the riverside in front of my house, navigating along the clear, cool waters of Samrong canal. The scent of earth and grass filled the rustic atmosphere rare in big cities. My small boat sped along the water with my skilled paddle strokes, like going back to childhood playing by the canal with the salted fish I love.

Pik Ka Floating Market is not very large but full of life. Most shops are local vendors selling local products such as crispy salted fish, fresh fish caught from Samrong canal, local vegetables, and freshly made local dishes like Khanom Jeen, shrimp paste chili dip, and Thai desserts. I met an old friend selling Bang Bo salted fish here. He smiled and said, “Bang Bo salted fish still maintains its quality. The brackish water here helps the fish grow plump and taste great.”The Story of Bang Bo Salted FishWhat I wrote before might help everyone understand why the fish here stands out unlike anywhere else.

After finishing the market walk, I paddled to Pak Nam Bang Bo Temple, where Luang Pho Pan, a sacred Buddha image, has long been worshiped by locals. The temple’s peaceful atmosphere and the gentle canal water reflecting boats and large trees made me feel deeply connected to my hometown. Luang Pho Pan is not just a Buddha image but a symbol of luck and stability for this community.

On the day I visited, locals were actively making merit and paying respect to Luang Pho Pan. I also lit incense to share my travel story and pray for my family’s good health. The warm feeling from this temple remains in my heart, and I want to invite everyone to experience this feeling themselves.

For those who love canal-side lifestyles and ancient floating markets, Bang Bo is a destination I, mr.hotsia, recommend for a deep visit to truly experience the local way of life. This is not just a tourist spot but my old home and the locals’ home, who still firmly preserve traditional culture.

If you like traditional floating markets but want a livelier atmosphere with more shops, I recommend continuing to150-Year-Old Bang Phli Old Marketwhich is nearby. There you can see traces of old lifestyles still present in modern times, and enjoy fun stories like the Bang Phli Boat Race I once joined.Bang Phli Boat Raceas well.

And if you visit Bang Bo, don’t forget to taste authentic Bang Bo salted fish with its unique sweet and rich flavor. If you’re lucky, you might join the traditional fish trapping activity called Ai Ngo, which I recorded inMr. Hotsia’s Ai Ngo Fish Trapping Contest on Tour, Bang BoThe fun and canal-side lifestyle will surely make you love this place as much as I do.

For those who follow me, mr.hotsia, on YouTube, you can watch the full atmosphere in the videoMissing Mom, Returning Home to Bang Bo 10/15: Boat Ride to Pik Ka Floating Market, Paying Respect to Luang Pho Panwhere I share detailed images and stories so everyone can truly feel the warmth of my hometown.

Bang Bo is not just a small district in Samut Prakan but my hometown, mr.hotsia, full of memories, lifestyles, and flavors you won’t find anywhere else. If you visit, I believe you will experience the sincerity of the people here and the unforgettable natural beauty along the canals.