Ayutthaya's newest attraction aims to recreate the charm and ambience of old Siam, from the design of the buildings to the costumes of the vendors
- Published: 18/07/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Brunch
It's well known that eating and shopping are favourite Thai pastimes, so perhaps it's not surprising that a new floating market in Ayutthaya that has not yet held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony is already attracting thousands of visitors every day and is very crowded on weekends.
Informally launched on May 2, the Ayothaya Floating Market is on and alongside a giant man-made pond on a 30-rai plot of land situated just before the bridge over the Pa Sak River that takes you to the area of the old city.
The market is easily reached from Bangkok - signs point the way from the Rangsit area heading north.
The market came about as a 150-million baht investment from four Thai business people; one is a part owner of the Suan Luam Night Plaza and another is the founder of Ayothaya Elephant camp, which shares the same entrance as the floating market.
From the entrance, framed by a brick wall built to resemble the old city wall, you may cross a wooden bridge and go directly to the floating market or take a shuttle boat (20 baht per trip) to tour the pond and get an overview before exploring on foot.
There are about 300 shops in all, comprised of those built on stilts in the water and those run by vendors plying their goods on paddle boats and sellers in a flea-market zone. Here goods are put on tables or on the floor in imitation of an up-country market. The products are mainly food, snacks and clothes. There are also services including traditional Thai massage and spa and a fish spa.
Market manager Wilai Traweentusnee said there is great potential in this new travel destination to attract Thai and foreign visitors. "We tried to recreate the charm and ambience of old Siam, from the design of the buildings to the costumes of the vendors," she said.
One of the outstanding buildings here is Khum Khun Phan, a Thai-style wooden house built on an island in the middle of the front zone. The house contains many rooms, one of which contains replicas of nine famous Buddha images from nine temples. Khum Khun Phan is surrounded by a lawn where cultural performances are held daily.
Next to the structure vendors sell food and drinks from wooden boats. They offer various local delicacies such as som tam, pad thai, moo sarong and khanom bueng. The dining area in this zone is a big floating platform where you sit on a mat and put your plates on a small table.
The food zone is connected to other shopping areas via wooden bridges and also linked to a bigger performance area where classical Thai dances are performed regularly, including likae (musical folk drama), khon (masked drama) and the Klong Yao Drum dance.
Almost at the end of the floating market is another food zone with proper tables and seats and more choices of food, snacks and drinks. During the weekend, however, you may have to fight for a table.
Besides shopping and eating, there is an elephant show and an elephant ride service offered in conjunction with Ayothaya Elephant Camp, which makes for an enjoyable side trip as well. There are also some interesting ruins not far from the market.
Ms Wilai said there is a plan to develop a second phase for the market, which will include the excavation of a canal through surrounding countryside. Visitors will be able to rent paddle boats to explore traditional Thai houses in the area. The second phase is expected to be finished within the next four months, said Ms Wilai.
USEFUL INFORMATION
The Ayothaya Floating Market is open daily from 10am to 9pm. There is no entrance fee.
Performances are hosted three times a day on weekdays at noon, 5pm and 7pm, and four times a day on weekends, at 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm.
A light and sound performance, just been introduced this month, starts at 7pm.
The market offers parking for 500 cars, but on the weekend it may be hard to find a free space.
To get there, take Highway 32 from Bangkok and turn left into Ayutthaya town. Turn right at the first intersection marked by an old pagoda (Jedi Wat Sam Pleum) and keep driving on route 3058 for a short while. The floating market is on your right.
For details and map, visit the website http://www.ayothayafloatingmarket.com or call 035-881-678.
About the author
- Writer: Karnjana Karnjanatawe
- Position: Reporter
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