Floating market

In the past,[2] the areas adjacent to the rivers were the first to be populated. Thus, most communities in Thailand were built at the sides of rivers. The waterways served as means of transportation and the center of economic activity, as well. Boats were mainly used for local and regional trade, bringing goods from those that produced to those that could barter and trade. Such ways of life of the riverside communities, especially in the Chao Phraya River Basin, increased the number of floating markets.

Floating markets became the hubs of the communities in the central plain of Thailand for centuries.[3] In the Ayutthaya Period (1350–1767), due to the existence of several adjoining canals that were suitable for trading, they helped to gain popularity for this type of market.

Early in the Rattanakosin Period (1782–1868), this kind of market was still lively with the crowds. Nonetheless, soon after the region grew and Bangkok began to develop, road and rail networks were increasingly constructed in place of the canals. This resulted in people choosing to travel by land instead of by water. Therefore, some of the floating markets were forced to move onto land, some were renovated, and some were closed down.

Originally, the term meaning floating market in Thai, used to be called (Thai: ตลาดท้องน้ำ talāt tĥxng nām literally: "floor of the water market"). Until in the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), therefore cutting only talat nam.[4]

Visitors on the boat watching fireflies at night at Amphawa floating market

Amphawa floating market is not as large as Damnoen Saduak floating market[5] but it is more authentic, with visitors almost exclusively Thais. It is an evening floating market but some stalls are opened at noon too. The market operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1600 to around 2100 hrs. It is in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province (72 km from Bangkok). Moreover, due to its popularity, the food stalls have grown from the riverbanks and stretched far into the surrounding buildings. Another popular activity in Amphawa District is to take a boat and watch the flickering fireflies at night, especially in the waxing-moon nights.

Damnoen Saduak floating market in Damnoen Saduak District is undoubtedly the largest and most well-known floating market among Thai and foreign tourists. It is located in Ratchaburi Province, about 100 km southwest of Bangkok. The market is open every day from around 0630 to 1100 hr, but the best time to visit is in the early morning. The market is crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small boats selling and buying agricultural products and local food, which are mostly brought from their own nearby orchards. It is a very attractive place for tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying goods.

Don Wai floating market is not far from Bangkok, in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province on the Tha Chin River. This market is famous for a variety of foods such as stewed Java barb in salty soup especially Chinese stewed duck. Moreover, it is not far from one of the most prominent temples of Nakhon Pathom, Wat Rai Khing, which can be reached by boat on the Tha Chin River.[6]

Khlong Hae floating market is the first and only floating market in Southern Thailand presently. Located in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, it is unique fin that it blends harmoniously between Buddhist Thai and Muslim cultures. [7]

Kwan Riam floating market is ain Min Buri District, Bangkok, near Khlong Saen Saep; its name comes from the name of characters in a popular Thai romance-drama novel titled Plae Kao, because Khlong Saen Saep was used as the backdrop of this novel.

Taling Chan floating market, also in Bangkok, is located near Khlong Chak Phra in front of Taling Chan District Office adjacent to the Southern Railway Line. The market is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Visitors can also take a boat from here to other attractions in this area, such as other floating markets or pay homage to Luang Pho Dam, an ancient sacred Buddha image at a nearby Wat Chang Lek temple. Moreover, this floating market also as one of six no-smoking areas in the Bangkok's project in 2019, as well.[8] [9]

Si Pak Floating market or Pattaya Floating market, There is another charm of Pattaya is the 4-region floating market, cultural and tourist attractions. And is the center of a variety of activities regarding Conservation of art and culture. 4 regions floating market had Collect all 4 good products here blended perfectly. The source of local handicrafts and cultural tourist attractions combined into one place, considered a new shopping area with unique and unique selling points. [10] [11]

Ideally, the floating market's produce and fruit are normally grown from nearby gardens or local orchards.[17] Such produce comprises assorted tropical fruits[18] and vegetables, such as banana, jackfruit, rambutan, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, carambola, fresh coconut, and durian.

Local dishes are cooked and prepared by the vendors from their floating kitchens located on their boats. They offer various kinds of food ranging from traditional Thai meat to vegetarian dishes such as papaya salad (som tum). Boat noodles and traditional Thai dessert (khanom wan Thai) such as mango sticky rice and coconut rice dumplings (khanom krok) are also available for tasting.

Hundreds of locally produced goods are available for purchase; bargaining is common. Examples of these types of merchandise include:

• Clothes
• Conical hats
• Crafted candles
• Handicrafts
• Paintings
• Post cards
• Thai silk

Floating markets play an essential role in the tourism industry. They help to promote and preserve the cultural characteristic and heritage of floating markets that have existed for centuries. Furthermore, the development of infrastructure and public utilities such as electricity and water supply due to the increasing number of tourists also made the locals’ lives more convenient and comfortable.

Economically, floating markets help to improve the standard of living by generating jobs, thus improving income and increasing employment opportunities[19] for local people directly, e.g. as hotel staff or tour guides. Moreover, the plentiful resources within the communities can be used by the locals to produce souvenirs or dishes for sale. As a result, these can benefit communities by providing more funds to further develop them.