The canal-side way of life in Amphawa takes place along the waterfront walkways of Amphawa Canal, a small tributary of the Mae Khlong River. Every weekend Thais flock to the Amphawa Floating Market, as big queues emerge along the canal's bridges and walkways. While commercially developed, the old wooden houses and shopfronts retain some of their original charm.
In the Ayutthaya Period, Amphawa was called Khwaeng Bang Chang, a small community that flourished in agriculture and trade. Sources have confirmed the existence of a market here since the reign of King Prasat Thong in the mid-seventeenth century. In 1766, King Rama II was born in Amphawa, his mother's hometown, as his father was ruling the town of Ratchaburi. At his probable birthplace is now the King Rama II Memorial Park.
Most visitors come to Amphawa on a day-trip from Bangkok. One-way trips can be purchased for 80 baht from the minibus station near Victory Monument, just north of the Century Mall. The journey will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes without traffic. Departure times are roughly hourly, but depend mostly on when the bus is filled. Return trips may be purchased in Amphawa. Be aware that 1) tickets back to Bangkok will sell out 1-2 hours ahead of the official departure time, and 2) your ticket's departure time is not likely to be your actual departure time, since there is frequently traffic in the afternoons and the bus from Bangkok may be delayed by up to an hour. Don't mark yourself as the stereotypical rude Westerner by making a scene and trying to cram yourself onto an earlier bus.
Another way is to take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal might be a safer option but you have to take the bus to Samut Songkhram first and switch onto a songthaew or bus heading for Amphawa. Ask the locals, as buses are only signed in Thai and songthaews don't have any signs at all. The ride will take about 15 minutes and it is obvious where to get off. As at Dec 2014, some blue songteows go to and from here, and have Amphawa in English on the side. They head along Road 325 for 6km, before turning left at a roundabout. The Market is some 500 metres along.
If you come by car, parking can be a problem as many people come here.