What You Need to Know About the Floating Market Business in Thailand

If you’re going to think of Thailand, pictures of temples, beaches, and floating markets will probably cross your mind. Floating markets are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country because of its lively setting filled with a variety of fresh food, delicacies, and other wonderfully unique items you can only find in narrow, wooden boats in Thailand.

As the country reopens its borders to tourists (subject to entry measures), here are some of the things you need to know about the floating market business in Thailand.

Trading Place for Flowers and Plants

Over the past six decades, floating markets in Thailand are generally designed to be the center for trade and exchange of agricultural products. Damnoen Saduak floating market is one of the most popular floating markets in Thailand, which has since become the trading place for flowers and plants.

As you weave through the slender canals, you can see a wide selection of colorful flowers and plants in different shapes and sizes, perfect for your next garden project. If you’re good at haggling, you can score unique shrubs for as low as THB5.

Flowers play a significant role in Thai culture as people use them as offerings, love gifts, decorations, and of course, lucky charms. You can spot a lot of flower garlands around temples, shrines, weddings, or even hanging in taxis. Flowers are believed to bring good luck and protection for drivers while navigating the bustling roads of Thailand.

Created to Support Trade and Transportation

During the reign of King Rama IV, the canals that make up the floating market were first constructed to facilitate commerce and transportation. The canals were dug for more than two years, measuring about 32 kilometers approximately with more than 200 branches. They are linked through the Mae Klong River and Chinese river ways.

The main floating market called Lad Plee lasted until 1967 and was forced to close due to road development projects. After four years, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) made the market a tourist-friendly destination, followed by the construction of the Ton Khem canal and Damnoen Saduk Floating Market. During those years, the river was home to farmers selling wares to local and international visitors.

Filled With Exotic and Locally Produced Goods

Teeming with different kinds of vendors, you can find almost everything in Thailand’s floating markets. Some of the things you can buy are Thai silk, postcards, paintings, handicrafts, clothes, conical hats, crafted candles, and more. Moreover, locally produced fruits are also present everywhere including bananas, jackfruit, mango, rambutan, pineapple, starfruit, dragon fruit, fresh durian, and fresh coconut, among others.

You will never get hungry while touring around as cooked food are also available in floating kitchens such as Thai meat, rice dumplings, mango sticky rice, freshly grilled snacks, and more. Food items offered in floating kitchens are affordable, ranging from THB30 to THB60.

For tourists who really want to immerse themselves in authentic Thai culture, exotic food like baby octopus, ostrich meat, and crocodile meat on skewers are also available.