Though an ersatz, not authentic, floating market this fairly recent addition to the city at least has its heart in the right place. Beyond the car park, a walkway stretches over a pond and into a maze of stilted wooden pavilions, all linked by paths and bridges and clustered together in zones that represent the Thai Kingdom’s many different regions.
You can easily kill an hour or more exploring them – browse stalls selling snacks and souvenirs, pray at colour coded Ganesha statues, get a foot massage, eat bowls of noodle soup cooked and served from within one of the long-tails that paddle around.
Other activities on offer include the Skywalker Sling Adventure (participants swoosh down a 130 metre cable strung between two fifteen metre high towers), feeding animals, and, of course, long-tail boat rides (B450 for a whole boat). Cultural shows are also given, with folk musicians playing at various points, and classical dance and martial arts troupes giving free performances. On weekends, there’s even sea-boxing, when two boxers attempt to swipe each other off a slippery pole perched across the water, much to the delight of onlookers.
It can be hot (bring a hat or umbrella), but this rambling collage of traditional Thai culture is still a pleasant family attraction to be praised for its lack of pushy vendors and a cover charge. To get there, head out of Central Pattaya onto Sukhumvit Road, turn right and it’s just past the PTT Oil Petrol station on your left.
Pattaya Floating Market
451/304 M. 12 Sukhumvit Road.
Tel: 038-706-340, www.pattayafloatingmarket.com
Daily 10am-11pm
PRICE Free
Featured photo and strory from: www.bangkok101.com
