FLOATING MARTKET

Visit the floating market, a traditional mode of buying and selling that used to be commonly found in any riverside town or city canal. In floating markets, vendors paddle sampans down waterways to sell their products, such as a large variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, local food and desserts. Recommended floating markets are Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi province, Bang Ku Wiang Floating Market in Nonthaburi province, Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok, and Tha Kha Floating Market in Samut Songkhram province.

TARAT NUM THA KHA

The Tha Kha Floating Market is where local people meet to exchange theirgoods in the traditional way, at the only remaining site on the Mae Klong River. They agree to meet six days a month, on the 2nd, 7th and 12th days of the warning and the waxing moon. The market comes alive from about 7 am. to early afternoon. By late morning, the river is filled to the brim with boats of all sorts. Some travel from the neighbourhood in the Mae Klong Basin, Ratchaburi and Don Manora. The scene is hectic and fascinating when renowned fruits of Amphawa such as pomelo and lychee are in season.

KLONG MAHA SAWAT: OBSERVING TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIFESTYLE ON THE WATERFRONT

Klong Maha Sawat was dug at the command of King Mongkut, Rama IV, during 1857-1860, to link: the Naknon Chai Si River with the Chao Phraya River, opening up a route for his pilgrimage to the Great Pagoda, Phra Pathom Chedi, and for planters of sugar cane to transport their produce to sugar factories.

Klong Maha Sawat has largely retained its serene beauty. He lush green plantations and orchards are mirrored in the clear water of the canal. Early in the morning, food can be offered to Buddhist monks in their boats. There may be time to enjoy a stroll on the bank, with a stop for a meal or some snacks at the market by the canal in front of Wat Suwannaram, before taking a boat ride through various agrotourist sites, such as Thassanee Orchid, various fruit orchards, known for delicious pomelo, which can be picked from the trees, or padding in vast rice fields to pick lotus flowers. Visitors can participate in the making of health food such as whole-grain rice crackers, iodized preserved eggs, sun-dried fruits and various snacks and sweetmeats, which serve perfectly as souvenirs for people back home.

TARAT NUM WAT LAM PHAYA

Located at the boat landing of Wat Lam Phaya, Lam Phaya Sub-district, Bang Len District, It comprises food rafts offering rice dishes, noodles, and other dishes as well as desserts, forming over 200 metre line along the canal, supper oriented by boats peddling coffee, food, fruits and vegetables along the rafts. On the bank, there are stalls selling commodities and food, with a traditional Thai massage service, and a display of old farm tools. Boats are available for pleasure ride, as tiny roofed-boats, and rice barges, taking visitors along the canal passing, passing lush rice-fields, lotus fields, fruit orchards, Thai-style houses, old rice mills, marketplaces, and temples where food crumbs can be given to fish such as Wat Bang Phra and Wat Bang Phasi. In winter, open-billed storks can be spotted foraying for food on the waterfront.

TARAT NUM AMPHAWA

This was formerly the most famous floating market in the Mae Klong River some 60 years ago. The simple charms of the area remain intact in the old shop houses on the waterfront, wooden structures with folding doors standing in a long row of almost 500 units, with walkways linking all of them, and bridges across the canal. One can observe the making of wooden umbrellas, sample and buy Chinese sweets and tidbits, including Chinese cakes and buns, and the freshly roasted and ground coffee beans.

WONDERING ON LAND THROUGH WAT DON WAI FLOATING MARKET

Don Wai Markets is known as the center of delicacies of all sorts. Tourists can take the path within the market, lined of both sides by wooden shop-houses offering a wide variety of cooked food, as main dishes, side dishes, dessert and condiments, all available for sampling. The market is filled with visitors at weekends. They crown the path, amid the calls of shop-keepers who put their merchandise on display, with inviting appearance and appealing aroma.

These include renowned duckling in spiced brown sauce at Mr.Nap’s, Mr. O’s and several others, spiced snakehead fishmeal steamed in banana leaf wrappings at Mrs. Prathin’s, and uncountable authentic Thai dishes, delightful snacks to choose from. One can opt for noodles prepared in different styles, including the famous Phat Thai at restaurants on rafts. A wide range of Thai desserts are on offer, including the renowned palm-nut cake of Auntie Khai, and different sweetmeats hased on rice flour, coconut milk, cereal and egg. At the open space of Wat Don Wai, fresh fruits and vegetables are on sale, including young plants and flowers.

 

MUKO SIMILAN MARINE NATIONAL PARK

A group of nine islands set in the Andaman Sea northwest of Phuket, the Similans are renowned for their beauty, both on land and in the surrounding underwater world. Distinctive in their smooth granite rock formations, the islands are studded with inviting sandy beaches; otherwise, there is little to explore on land and the destination is most popular with scuba enthusiasts, the waters here boasting some of the world’s best dive sites.

In addition to remarkable visibility, scuba drivers can expect a fascinatingly varied underwater scene, with coral reefs, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, swim-throughs, cliffs, and stone piles, as well as an abundance of marine life.

Getting There

Public boats and boats for private hire to the Similans depart from Phuket and from Thap Lamu, on the mainland in Phang-nga province. Alternatively, visitors may join one of the organized dive tours that are available from various dive companies on Phuket.

SCUBA DIVING AT THE SIMILAN ISLANDS - PHANG-NGA PROVINCE

The Similan Islands are consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. The Similan Archipelago consists of nine islands arranged like a pearl necklace from north to south of Phang-Nga province, and it has been a national marine park since the mid-80s. The islands have a rich marine life, consisting of sea fans, barrel sponges, feather stars, and an abundance of reef fish, and spectacular underwater granite rock formation.