The Floating Market in Pattaya
It is always nice to visit the Floating market in Pattaya from time to time. Over the years, it has undergone a metamorphosis after its opening at the end of 2008.
In the beginning, for example, a footbridge was suspended from ropes and it was a comical sight how people tried to walk over it. Other options were also available, but apparently people were tempted to make use of them. It is possible that it was considered too risky and has been replaced by a fixed bridge.
For tourists there is a possibility to board an amphibious vehicle. You drive into the water from the shore and continue sailing through the various "klongs". It looks like a boat, but with wheels. If one were to drive on Sukhumvit Road, the Floating market would be visible from afar by a large "Noah's Ark", which is set up high. A second entrance has been made there for the tourists who stop by bus on Sukhumvit Road. This space is also used as a meeting room. When King Bhumibol died, a retrospective exhibition had been created. Sometimes this room is used for a meeting of groups.
In the beginning it was possible to buy a "lifetime" access card for 200 Baht. From its opening in 2008 until now I have been able to use it many times and had some nice encounters. The last time was two weeks ago when two international volleyball players from Taiwan visited the Floating market. The numbers 2 and 7 as seen on TV every week at the international competitions.
A number of shops are closed, the layout has been changed so that it is not immediately noticeable. What is striking is the different composition of the visitors. At the time it was a very mixed group of many nationalities. Lately almost all Chinese and some Japanese. However, the numbers have decreased considerably.
Two international volleyball players from Taiwan
Stood there by chance today in front of the entrance. Didn't go in because I refuse to pay entrance to a market. It's a good thing I didn't go because when you see the review it's an ordinary market where you buy the same as on all markets, only a lot more expensive.
One still has to learn that the farang is not a cash cow.
Strange if you don't go inside, but know to report that everything is a lot more expensive.
I am well aware of prices in shops and markets.
They charge the same prices for a number of products as elsewhere.
One hundred points Frank,
It is drunk to have to give money in order to be allowed to spend it again.
I myself once stood in front of the cashier booths and immediately vice versa.
I also heard later that it is the regular dredge for sale that you buy at any tourist market.
It is also becoming popular in the Netherlands. Pay attention, on Boxing Day: those so-called cozy curios, antique and culinary markets in sports halls. € 2 = without blinking an eye!
The entrance fee came after busloads full, including Chinese, were sent across the market from front to back and then back into the back of the busses.
And so almost no Baht was spent.
I'm also not paying for entrance to and market.
I paid entrance once and with your receipt you can get a so-called VIP ticket at the office, in the back left, near the back entrance / exit. And that is valid for life.
I live fairly close by.
So a few times “walk” 🙂 I sometimes talk about this floating market.
And the prices are not really high for various things such as food.
Tourist trinkets and stuff yes that is always what someone is willing to do or not.
Pay entrance to a market. Just go to dam noen sa duak rahaburi which is much more fun and free. You only pay for a possible boat trip
Can't believe paying to go to a market, soon paying to be allowed to enter a shopping center?
Always find it cozy and yet different from a market. Anyway, I also have a lifetime VIP card with my photo on it, so I don't have to pay an entrance fee.
The Floating market is not a real market but a recreated market on water, specially placed there for tourists, so you have to pay an entrance fee.
And of course, to make it look real, they sell stuff.
The purest deceived, just like Nong Nooch, which is still called a botanical garden but has now become an amusement park according to Chinese taste…
The entrance fees are used to keep the Floating market clean, pay staff who carry out repairs, pay for water, electricity, and partially pay for artists who perform at certain times.
The income from the sale of clothing, jewellery, "perfumes", food vendors and restaurants, etc. is not sufficient to keep the Floating market open due to fewer tourists or just watching tourists.