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Bangkok- 4/5/13 -4/8/13
Day 2- Pattaya floating market
Pattaya Floating Market is the world’s largest man-made floating market covering an area of 100,000 sq meters! Pattaya Floating Market is established under the concept of presenting the culture and traditions of 4 regions of Thailand - Northern, Southern, Central, and Northeastern. Pattaya market is dived into four sections representing the four regions of Thailand. The Floating Market has more than 100 shops shops and water vendors selling authentic Thai food, desserts and specialties from all over the kingdom and also lots of shops that feature various traditional products, crafts, and clothing.
The 350 million baht market has over 114 shops and water vendors selling authentic Thai food, desserts and specialties from all over the kingdom. For a floating market experience, hire a man-powered boat to get around and discover the richness of the surrounding Thai architecture and riverside life. Typically, the boat is big enough for four people and can be hired for a small fee for around 30 minutes.
If you are a local the entrance is free, visitors are charged 200 (about $7) baht at the entrance
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The entrance
Highlights wooden structures exuding Thai architecture.
After paying at the entrance you have to cross this short bridge to get into the market.
The whole market is build on pillars.
There are lot of little bridge connecting one shop to another.
Tourists paying to get a boat ride.
The best way to see the whole market is to get on a small boat and go around the market.
Checking out what people are selling.
A lot of food are sold from sold boat like this one.
A young girl grilling some type of food on a stick wrapped in banana leaf.
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Squid on a stick. You point to the squid you want and the vendor will put it on the grill.
Once it is cooked she cut the squid into small bite.
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Chicken feet galore! Looks a bit scary.
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Lobster tails and and fried chicken. The wedding cake. |
Most shops are not floating but build on pillars.
The water is yellow because the ground floor is mud and it makes the water turn into a brownish color.
Standing of one of the many bridges.
The market is loaded with eateries offering local delicacies, fresh fruits, and sumptuous cuisines that Thailand is known for.
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A lady selling all types of different mushrooms.
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Fresh fruits.
Water fountain in the middle of the floating market.
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After buying your food from small boat people can sit down and eat their food sitting down on straw mat.
Not sure if this a comfortable position for westerner but for Thai people it is the norm.
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More tourists taking a boat ride.
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More fresh fruits, packed and ready to go...
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Finally I found Kanom krok, a special coconut pudding that's unique to Thailand often sold by street vendors.
It is always prepared in a cast iron and the pan is placed directly over charcoal as seen here.
There was 2 people in front of me so I had to wait a bit to get my order...
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I also bought some fried banana... |
Okay I am going a bit overboard now... buying khao lam (sticky rice in bamboo) |
Check on this video on Khao lam - Click on LINK
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Khao lam is a fairly common street food in Thailand. It's a piece of bamboo stuffed with sticky rice, coconut, and sometimes black beans, then grilled.
I was looking for khao Lam in Bangkok and I could not find it anywhere so I was glad to find it here at the market.
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Beside food there are a lot of shops like this one selling local items, Tee shirts, and souvenirs.
I did not think the floating market was worth visiting. It is very commercialized with nothing standing out. Food was the main selling point!
Next.. Day 3 - Ancient City
