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Thailand
Trade With Charm
For a slice of the slow
paced Thai life of old, nothing beats a visit to one of Thailand's many
floating markets where vendors in heavily laden wooden paddle boats
merrily peddle their wares much as their ancestors have done for
generations.
Since most floating markets mainly deal in fresh food produce, they
generally make an early morning start when the sun is not so hot and the
fruit and vegetables are at their freshest. Some of the most memorable
encounters of this kind include:
DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET, RATCHABURI
Thailand's most colourful, largest and most photographed floating
market. Open daily from predawn until at least mid morning, but best
visited early. Most vendors dress in traditional blue cotton suits as
worn by the workers in the fields, their faces shielded from the strong
rays of the sun by hats made of bamboo and palm leaves.
Never static, they paddle up and down the waterway hailing customers and
bartering their merchandise. Canal rides can be arranged to tour the
market and surrounding residential and orchard areas. Long-tailed boats
are available for hire at Pojjawan or Seri Kemi Kaset piers for a fee of
around 200 baht per person for an hour.
Contact TAT Ratchaburi, Tela 3225 4980.
TALING CHAN FLOATING MARKET, BANGKOK
This semi-rural market takes place in front of the Taling Chan District
Office on Saturday and Sunday from around 7 am to 4 pm. Nearby local
farmers bring fresh vegetables, fruit and fish to sell, each in its
season.
There are also floating food shops on rafts selling Thai food sweets and
handicrafts. Private tour companies offer sightseeing tours by boat
along Klong Chak Phra for a glimpse of the ages old canalside way of
live.
Contact TAT Bangkok,
Tel: 0 2282 9773 or Taling Chan District Office,
Tel: 02424 1742 or 0 2424 5448
BANG KHU WIANG FLOATING MARKET, NONTHABURI
This lively morning market opens from 6-8 am. Villagers bring in
seasonal fruits, consumer products and prepared foods to sell by boat.
At the same time, monks can be seen on their early morning alms rounds
collecting villagers' offerings by boat, a site rarely seen anymore in
Thailand.
Contact TAT Bangkok, Tel: 0 2282 9773.
THA KHA FLOATING MARKET, SAMUT SONGKHRAM
Villagers bring food, vegetables and local fruits to sell at Tha Kha
market from 7 am until about noon. Saturdays and Sundays, when the
market is at its busiest, are the best days to visit, although the
market also operates on other days determined by lunar cycles. Boats are
for hire to take visitors on tours of the surrounding villages and fruit
orchards.
Contact TAT Bangkok,
Tel: 0 2282 9773 or TAT Kanchanaburi, Tel: 03451 1200.
LAM PHYA FLOATING MARKET, NAKHON PATHOM
This market takes place in front of Wat Lam Phya, Tha Chin River, every
Saturday and Sunday from around 6 am until 3 pm. Vendors paddle their
boats here to sell fruit, vegetables and local handicrafts, including
baskets and hand-woven cloth.
A wide array of Thai food, noodles and desserts is also purveyed. Boat
trips are available to visit nearby attractions along the river.
Contact: Wat Lam Phya,
Tel: 0 3439 1626, 0 3439 1985 or 0 3439 2022.
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