Pattaya Floating Market.

Fact File

Directions: Formerly the Lake View Restaurant, the market is on Sukhumvit, just past the Jomtien turnoff. Look for the signs on the left-hand side as you head towards Sattahip.

Contact: www.pattayafloatingmarket.com; 038 706340

Information

Floating markets are on the itinerary of most tourists.

But there are two main drawbacks. Firstly, the nearest one to Pattaya is the other side of Bangkok, and secondly they're a crowded, bumpy affair, where traders hawk goods at you left, right, and centre.

With this in mind, Pattaya's newest tourist attraction seems to be onto something of a winner. It's close (alongside Sukhumvit) and you don't have to be jostled in a boat to get a bargain.

Covering 62 rai, ten years ago the area that is now Pattaya Floating Market was farm land and home to many aquatic animals and much flora, making it the largest swamp on the Eastern seaboard.

In 2005 the Lake View Restaurant was opened and proved popular with its blend of Thai and European dishes. The owner later wanted to change things round but wanted to keep the important water features, and so the idea for a floating market was born. The market enabled the owners to preserve the water features of the area and also create a new tourist attraction.

The aim was to build a place that reflected a traditional way of Thai life, far removed from the bustle of contemporary Pattaya. The market features arts, crafts and food from all four regions of Thailand: north-east, north, southern and central.

Teak buildings are interconnected by walkways, so there's none of the bumping boats that make up most floating markets. Water vendors do ply their trade offering sweets and noodles, which can be eaten in a number of shaded pavilions.

The range of products is impressive, from wood carving, herbs, to silk and cloths. The market is neatly divided into different areas, representing goods from the various regions of the Kingdom: north, north-east, central and southern. And while it's a tourist attraction, plenty of locals come to shop here too, a sign that prices are reasonable.

Large pavilions are used as picnic areas, where you can munch down on the selection of fried chicken, som tam and sticky rice available. Every so often the diners are turfed out and traditional dance performances, or martial arts displays, are staged.

At the entrance there's a wood carving museum, while to the rear there's a room with its own sunflower field, in honour of HM the King.

The market is well-designed and aims to offer comfort and convenience to visitors. For those on holiday, it's an ideal place to pick up souvenirs without the guessing game of how much you should be paying. And for those living here it's a great place to stroll and pick up some homeware or decorations.

If you do want to get more of the 'floating' experience, then boats do drift between the walkways. Most are occupied by traders selling ice-cream or noodles, but several are available for visitors as well.

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