A floating world

Imagine a bazaar where you can not only shop but enjoy a boat ride too while shopping! Yes, there are such markets and they are called a ‘floating market’, as they are located next to a canal/river and goods are sold from boats. Floating markets are quite common and popular in Thailand — Amphawa floating market is one such market. It is located at Samut Songkhram province, 72km from Thai capital, Bangkok. Amphawa is an evening bazaar that is operated on weekends. Unlike what is shown in attractive advertising brochures, Amphawa is an old-fashioned Thai-style market that comprises an outstanding collection of wooden shop houses along its canal. Amphawa floating market is a revived form of the 50-year-old fruit and vegetable market where farmers used to sell their harvest. The sight is quite photogenic as at the back of the shops, you will find gorgeous lush green vegetation. A cultural legacy for the region, this colourful market has won the 2008 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. The market opens in the afternoon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and runs till 8pm. You won’t see many western tourists here — most of the visitors are Thai and the market is a great way to experience the true essence of Thai culture. Cooked and served directly from a floating boat in the canal, traditional Thai food is the main attraction of the bazaar. Vendors row their boats loaded with boat noodles, pad thai or phat thai, traditional coffee and Thai desserts and tourists enjoy the typical Thai delights. By the way, phat thai is a dish of stir-fried pho noodles — a type of rice noodle. Pho noodles are mixed with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice and red chilli pepper and are served with any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken or tofu. The dish is made even more delectable by garnishing it with crushed peanuts, coriander and lime. And yes, the seafood at Amphawa is truly amazing! You will find food stalls on land on the river’s banks too as the market is actually a mix of riverside and floating market. You can also find accommodation here if you have planned a visit of more than one day. The market also offers the opportunity to purchase beautiful, yet inexpensive, items such as T-shirts, souvenirs and handmade products. If not in the mood to shop or eat, you can simply roam around and capture the glimpses of beautiful and unique Thai culture in your camera. For those interested in art and history, old Buddhist temples in this area are of interest, particularly two famous ones —Wat Bang Kung and Wat Bangkhae Noi. The fun does not end here…. After food, photography, shopping and temple visit, there is something more that will make a visit to Amphawa even more delightful! The boat ride after sunset! Seeing sparkling fireflies in the dark night while having a boat ride is a lovely memory many visitors love to cherish.