One of the world's largest man-made floating markets with over 100 stores selling clothing, souvenirs, homewares and food in a stilted village connected by a series of bridges and boardwalks. Pattaya Floating Market is split into 4 sections, representing the 4 main regions of Thailand; northern, northeastern, central, and southern Thailand. The sections are connected by a central pavilion where free daily cultural performances, like dancing and boxing, are held.
Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of Pattaya and Bangkok by purchasing a long-boat ride along the network of canals to see the traditionally inspired wooden architecture and catch a glimpse of stalls you might like to visit. Otherwise, simply wander through the market stalls to see handicraft items up close and sample local food.
Most stalls are built into the stilted village but some food vendors operate from traditional longboats alongside the boardwalk. Try local fruit and traditional meals and snacks like mango sticky rice, roti, curries, noodles, cakes, and even grilled crocodile if you're feeling brave.
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Hours
9am-8pm7 days
Look Around
Main entrance
Connecting bridges and boardwalks
Entering market interior
Souvenir stalls
Handicraft stall
Clothing stall
Small temple
Food vendor in long boat
Traditional dumplings
Sweet sticky rice with coconutWho Will Like Pattaya Floating Market
Food Connoisseur
Take advantage of the many free samples on offer. Fall in love with Thai cakes, dessert, and candies, or buy curry pastes and spices to take the flavors of Thailand back home with you.
Culture Buff
Ride a longboat along the waterways to see how the market's architecture mimics a traditional-style Thai stilted village and glean an understanding of how locals would do their food shopping in decades past. See if you can spot differences in handicraft and food items as you move between sections representing the 4 main regions of Thailand.
Retail Therapist
Buy some comfy elephant pants or pick up hand-made souvenirs like wooden toys, windchimes, and paintings.
Bucketlist Bandit
Float along the water in a traditional longboat, then take a selfie on a flower or lantern-adorned bridge.
Fun Expert
Enjoy a boat ride with your family or try the onsite Zip Line Adventure to soar over the markets' water network.
Insider Tips For Pattaya Floating Market
- Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or booked online in advance.
- Additional activities within the grounds include a Zip Line Adventure, photo opportunities in traditional Thai costumes, silk weaving demonstrations, and an animal petting zoo.
- Boat rides cost ฿800 (USD$23.33) including the ฿200 (USD$5.83) entrance fee.
- Visit early in the morning to avoid tour busses from Bangkok.
Video
Where Is It
How To Get There
Rideshare
Drivers drop off near ticket booth and pick up at rear exit parking lot at Market Gate No. 4.
Taxi
Drivers drop off near ticket booth and pick up at rear exit parking lot at Market Gate No. 4.
Car
Private drivers can wait in the large parking lot at Market Gate No. 4.
Songthaew (White)
Take a songthaew from the southbound side of Sukhumvit Road. Travel along Sukhimvit until you reach the Floating Markets.
Tech & Photography
Wifi
Public wifi access: None
Photography
Photography allowed: Yesflash is ok
Tripod allowed: Not encouraged
Selfie sticks allowed: Yes
Best time to shoot: Early Morning
Tips: Ask for permission before photographing food stall vendors - most of them are very kind and will be more than willing. Keep an eye out for passing long boats which make the perfect subject against the backdrop of a traditional styled stilted structure. Use shutter priority mode, around 1/250 or 1/500 secs, depending how close you are and how fast the boat is moving.
Drones
Drones allowed: Not encouraged
Bags
Backpacks allowed: Yes
Secured bag lockers available: No
Food & Drink
Selection of buffet-style dishes
Grilled mushrooms
Thai omlette
Satay sticks
Crispy crepes served with cotton candy
Traditional rice sweetsMany food vendors are located throughout the markets. Most operate out of small stands or long boats but some, like Lake View Restaurant, have table and chairs for diners to sit and enjoy their meal. Local food options include sate sticks, mango sticky rice, banana roti, noodle soup, pad Thai, local fruit, curry, and seafood.
Food offerings vary between the different market sections representing the regions of Thailand. Some must-try items include:
- Northern: Khao Soi curry, Thai chili paste, Nam Phrik Ong chili pork
- Central: Green curry, tom yum gung
- Southern: Papaya salad, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.
Backstory
In 2005, the market grounds housed a humble restaurant known for its picked crabs. The surrounding fields were often subject to floods and aquatic planes, providing an ideal atmosphere for the current man-made lake. Development to transform the area into a floating market commenced in 2006, drawing inspiration from traditional architecture and cultural styles from the 4 main regions of Thailand.
The Pattaya Floating Market officially opened on 1 November 2008 with recognition as the world's largest man-made riverside tourist attraction. The markets now provide a glimpse into the traditional market villages local Thai's once visited to purchase groceries from vendors in small wooden boats, before supermarkets and megamalls reached Thailand's shores.
Etiquette
- Walk carefully on the narrow boardwalks, they tend to get crowded.
- Bargain with vendors, but be polite and offer a reasonable price.
- Wait patiently at the narrow exit, queues to get out can be long.
- Swim in the water.
- Throw rubbish or any other items in the water.
- Push or shove other visitors to get through the crowd. Wait patiently and move in an orderly manner.
Scorecard
- Variety of food and handicraft items representing the 4 main regions of Thailand.
- Free food samples offered by some vendors.
- Availability of boat rides to tour the stilted village and see the vendors from a different angle.
- Free cultural performances every day.
- Narrow exit at gate 4. Too many people often try to get through the small gateway at the same time.
- Entry fee. One of the few markets or shopping attractions in Thailand to charge for entry.
- Expensive boat ride fee.
- Very busy when cruise ships are in.
Oh, you're so close
The awesome itinerary feature is only for VIP Members.
But that's ok! You're welcome to join the cool club for free.
Joining only takes a minute and it's... um... free! Plus you get other perks like badges, points, and unicorns.
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