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Nguyen Ky Anh is a travel blogger and also works in interior design. Photography is a parallel passion, helping him capture many moments through his lens at each destination and express his creativity, inspiring travel.
On this trip to Thailand, Ky Anh had a rather new experience: visiting Satun and Hat Yai – two peaceful provinces in southern Thailand, less frequently explored by tourists due to their geographical location and itineraries often focusing on Bangkok or Phuket… While in Hat Yai, Ky Anh visited a traditional floating market called Klong Hae.
Floating markets are a unique cultural feature of Thailand. In Hat Yai, you can visit the famous Klong Hae floating market.
In Thailand, each market has its own unique characteristics, from the way goods are sold and the items on display to the culinary experience. Floating markets, in particular, are places that preserve typical Thai culture, where people live and make a living in harmony with the natural environment of the river and water.
"I traveled to Klong Hae floating market by bus, because according to my schedule, I was supposed to go to Satun first, then to Hat Yai. The whole trip was by bus from the city center," Ky Anh said.
Unlike other typical floating markets, Klong Hae floating market has many boats docked near the pier, so you can freely move around and choose goods.
Located approximately 4.5 km from the city center, Klong Hae Floating Market is easily accessible by taxi (tuk-tuk) in abundance. Visitors can visit the market on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 3 PM to 9 PM.
Unlike other typical floating markets, Klong Hae Floating Market has many boats docked near the pier, allowing you to freely move around and choose goods. Numerous stalls selling items such as clothing, souvenirs, jewelry, accessories, and food line both sides of the river until you reach the main market area. Upon arriving at the main market, you'll be greeted by a breathtaking sight of 50-60 bustling boats moored along the riverbank, selling grilled and fried seafood, noodles, drinks, snacks, fruits, and a wide variety of other food items.
Mango sticky rice - a Thai specialty - at a small shop on the Klong Hae floating market.
At the famous Klong Hae floating market, you can't miss the food stalls on boats selling many typical Thai dishes such as tom yum, mango sticky rice, noodle dishes, fish dishes, fast food, etc. With these characteristic Thai dishes, tourists should try them at least once; they are sure to win over the hearts of those who taste them.
Ky Anh also emphasized that: "It's important to note that this is an area with a Muslim community in Thailand, so they will say no to pork, but other types of meat are acceptable."
The people here belong to the Muslim community in Thailand, so they will say no to pork, but other types of meat are fine.
In addition, you can also buy souvenirs during your Thailand tour at the nearby night market, where you can find Thai clothing and beautiful jewelry at affordable prices ranging from 70,000 to 100,000 VND per item, giving tourists plenty of choices.
When asked by Travellive about the differences between floating markets in Thailand and those in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Ky Anh shared: “I see quite a few similarities in the form of concentrated trading. In Klong Hae, vendors anchor their boats in a fixed location to sell their goods until the end of the day, unlike in Vietnam where the boats move around the river. In Vietnam, there are no areas for direct eating and drinking, while in Klong Hae, the entire area is on land dedicated to selling goods and outdoor seating.”
Some drinks and fast food are sold at the floating market.
Furthermore, the Hat Yai floating market differs from other floating markets in Thailand in that the cargo boats are moored close to the shore, allowing visitors to freely board and choose goods.
Floating markets are places that preserve the typical cultural features of the Thai people, where people live and make a living in harmony with the natural environment of the river.
If you have the chance to visit Southern Thailand, don't forget to experience Klong Hae floating market to discover the unique culture of the Land of Smiles and the livelihoods of the people living along the river.
