Floating Market
 

Is it worth it to go here if I only have 2 days in Bangkok? If so what is the best way to get there from downtown?

Nope. Complete ripoff IMO. Crappy long tail, stop for a picture with a snake, hand out for 200 Thb, back in boat, stop to meet more relatives for a "cool refreshing drink", more hands out, then finally some crappy old buildings by thecside of a canal selling the same old tat available on Sukhumvit. 1 or 2 old dears in their canoes come up to you, buy something from them by all means if you must go, but there are much better things to do with your time!

If you are into water try fishing, google Bungsamran, just outside BKK, amazing fishing for Mekong catfish, the average we caught was 30lbs!:) my best Xmas present - ever......

I found it a unique experience, something we just don't have here in the US. No great loss if you miss it, but interesting if you go. There is more than one Floating Market. I've been to the large touristy one; but I've also been to a much smaller local one where we were the only westerners.

The large touristy one is likely Damnuan Saduak. I've never been there nor have any desire. Was the other, smaller one, Ampawah? That one is Friday-Sunday evenings, 3:30-7:30PM, and I've heard good things about it.

I went to one a long time (decades) ago (I believe it was featured in one of the James Bond movies). Seems that the best ones were filled in for development quite a few years ago and there isn't very much of one left anymore.

It is very toruisty. And getting there is a journey by itself.
If you have five or more days, I'd say go for it as it IS a unique experience (touristy or not). With only 2 days, that's hardly enough for BKK alone.

If you have only two days in Bangkok, I'd skip the floating market and concentrate on the Grand Place, Wat Pho, the river, and Chinatown.

Day One: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (the Emerald Buddha), and Wat Pho. Wat Pho is the largest and most impressive temple in Bangkok, famed for its huge gold-plated reclining Buddha measuring about 50 meters long. Wat Pho is also Bangkok's main training center for masseuses. Thai massage at Wat Pho is a must while you're in Bangkok. Cost is about 120 baht for half an hour or 200 baht per hour. For dinner, go to Sirocco or Vertigo. http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/...h-a-view.1461/

Day Two: Chaophraya River and Khlong tour by long tail speed boat. Visit also Thonburi Khlongs, Wat Arun, and the Royal Barges Museum. Visit the Golden Buddha temple around 4 PM and then have dinner at Yaowarat Road in Chinatown. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/5467065792/

If you're r-e-a-l-l-y into photography, and you have a lot of time, then it's worth going. Otherwise, I agree, missing is no big deal.

Do tell - I can never get enough real local color.

As i said upthread, my guess is this is Ampawah.