In the James Bond thriller The Man with the Golden Gun, Roger Moore's 007 tries to evade pursuing villains by hurtling his souped-up longtail boat through narrow inlets filled with vendors hawking their wares from wooden boats called sampans. During the high-speed chase, he expertly zips his craft through the crowded canals, slicing goods-filled sampans in two and leaving the bad guys in his wake.

It was this hair-raising scene that brought world-wide recognition to the Damnernsaduak Floating Market, located about 65 miles southwest of Bangkok. Today's visitors may not find international espionage, but they will find a shopping experience unlike any other.

The Damnernsaduak Market is comprised of a series of small canals plied by vendors selling an enormous amount of merchandise piled high in their sampans. The variety is mind-boggling – lychees, bananas, coconuts, dragonfruit, vegetables, meats, fish, handicrafts and so much more, displayed in skyscraper-high arrangements that seem to defy gravity.

The market is also home to sampans equipped with tiny gas stoves, where vendors prepare tasty meals, like char-grilled chicken, fried rice and wok-tossed noodles for hungry shoppers. As the boats sway on the water, the fragrant aromas of spices fill the air – a nearly irresistible draw. Some sampans are so overloaded that they appear ready to tip at any moment – in fact, some vendors grab fast to umbrellas secured to the shallow bottom, just in case.

Nearly all of the boats are poled by women, whose vessels are actually self-contained floating stores, complete with scales, condiments, cash buckets, plates and bags. If they're not fortunate enough to secure a good spot near the dock, the vendors ingeniously use plastic buckets on long sticks to pass money and merchandise back and forth to shoppers. Bargaining is common – and expected. Perhaps the only thing unexpected is the unique sense of fun, excitement and wonder visitors enjoy at this unique floating emporium.

The Damnernsaduak Floating Market tour will begin and end at the Four Seasons hotel in Bangkok. View Itineraries for a complete list of cruises that visit Bangkok.