Q: I'm planning a trip to visit temples in Ayutthaya and hear there's a floating market in town. Can you give me some information and directions to get there. Thanks, Vichai.
A: There are many markets in Ayutthaya, but none is a floating market as such. While some may call themselves "floating", this refers to a section set up to draw tourists. Here's a list of those that I think are worth visiting.
lAyutthaya Khlong Sa Bua Floating Market and Water Theatre: This newly opened market, not far from Wat Na Phra Meru and the Elephant Kraal Pavilion, is open weekends and public holidays only from 10am to 5.30pm. Apart from food, the highlight is the Water Theatre where dancers perform such traditional folk tales as Phra Suthon & Manohra, Kraithong & Chalawan and Phra Aphaimanee in ankle-deep water. Buffet-style Thai food is available during the five daily shows that run from 11 am to 4.30pm. Admission to the theatre plus the Thai buffet is Bt159 per person and Bt99 for children while the theatre only costs Bt50.
Ayothaya Floating Market: This floating market was flooded for a few months and only recently reopened. It's open daily from 10am and 9pm and is popular on weekend when all the stall holders don traditional Thai outfits. There's traditional Thai architecture, old wooden boats and a replica of Ayutthaya's old city wall. You across a wooden bridge to the market, which has a big pond at its centre surrounded by shops and walkways with wooden bridges linking each zone. Several of the food and desert stalls have been recommended on television shows and in magazines. Elephant rides are also available. Admission is free.
lLa Chado Market: This market is outside town in Pak Hai district and away from the main tourist area. It's an old riverside market with wooden shophouses run by and frequented by the local community as well as weekenders from Bangkok. Pak Hai is a popular location for many period Thai films and TV series. The heyday of the market was more than 50 years when people still commuted along the waterways. There's also a museum displaying old farming equipment.
Q: I'm going to Pran Buri with friends and plan to prepare a seafood barbecue on the beach for dinner. Where can I buy fresh seafood in the area? Thank you, Sannipa
A: Go to Pran Buri estuary (Pak Nam Pran) and continue along the beach road from there and you'll see stalls packed with squid and other seafood that the vendors buy from local fishermen. Along the road towards the resorts, there are also seafood stalls run by the wives of the fishermen, where they cook the seafood and sell it with spicy dips. If you want to buy freshly-caught seafood straight from the sea, you'll need to go the beach early in the morning. You can wait anywhere from Banpran Resort to Khao Kalok and you'll see the small fishing boats gradually return to the shore with their catches of squid. If you don't fancy beach road, head to Pak Nam Pran market where you'll find a good choice of seafood and other fresh ingredients.
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