Floating Market

Floating Market

The Four Regions Floating Market was opened to the public in November 2008 on a 27 acre plot of land. It is located along the Sukhumvit Highway on the outskirts of southern Pattaya, on the way to Bang Saray and Sattahip. The Floating Market is the biggest of its kind in the eastern region and is divided into four separate sections, representing the four regions of Thailand: Northern; Central; North-Eastern and Southern, each showcasing the different traditions and building styles.

The market has been developed to provide an authentic feel for the Thai tradition of using small boats alongside klongs (canals) and rivers for the sale of various goods, much the same as traditional European street markets. There are 111 wooden shops selling numerous traditional Thai products from all over the Kingdom, including wooden hand carvings, silks and cloths, Thai herbs and spices, and also restaurants that serve delicious specialities from each of the four regions.

The whole area is linked by a network of canals and bridges, with water vendors moving from dock to dock presenting their wide varieties of freshly cooked food. The market has more than 80 boats to ferry visitors around the compound. From these vessels visitors can fully appreciate the teak wood buildings and visit the small islands that are covered with exotic plants and trees.

The Four Regions Floating Market features a rice farming section, sunflower fields and The Nueng Siam Woodcarving Museum. The museum houses rare 200 year old crafted teak items and the stunning carved image of the elephant god Ganesha. The market also offers several daily outdoor cultural performances depicting the traditions of each of the four regions. These include classical dance, martial arts and water boxing, where the contestants fight on a horizontal pole suspended over the canal.

Admission to Pattaya Floating Market is free and it is open daily from 10 am to 11 pm.