Hatyai Trip: Khlong Hae Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองแห)

16:11 1/09/2012 When I was  young and hear the word Thailand. Only three things comes to my mind,  Buddhist Temples, Elephants and Floating Market. I guess that’s what you’ll get acquainted when the only book you read is history. I should be thankful reading those boring paragraphs of Asian history book in sophomore high school. As I was able to appreciate how people live in their country. Part of that is the floating market which is way of life in a part of Thailand, where boats are the most accessible mode of transport. Never cross to our mind that we’ll gonna visit one of Thailand’s Floating Market sooner than we expected.


It got all started from a  travel inspirational photo of two women on a boat in an eye catching blue hue background. Reading from it’s caption, taken during dusk in Hatyai, a southern city near the borders of Malaysia and Thailand. That amazing photo was captured by no other than, the multi-awarded travel/food blogger Doc Gelo of docgelo.com. We met him on one occasion but that’s a different story (read it here). Blame it to that snapshot, we got  fixated over it and made us decided to book a train ticket all the way from KL to Hatyai, Thailand.


It was on the second day of our Hatyai-Songkhla Trip when we finally set foot on Khlong Hae Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองแห ). The narrow road leading to the floating market was packed with stalls offering same merchandise inside the market. 

Just as we cross the bridge, we saw a dozens of boats piled up. Some of them just started to set up and other just coming paddling towards the river bank. I guess we’re to early to jump in and enjoy food tripping.


Market Stalls

While waiting for the vendors settling up we roam around the stalls that resembles that we had just visited yesterday, the ASEAN Night Market.


Look who’s up trying her haggling skills in Thailand? She got a nice  tees for our nieces at discounted prices. Summer took advantage being the first customer of the stall. 

The pungent smell of dried fish lingers around the food stalls confuses our olfactory bulb, perceive it as same with our danggit in Cebu, Philippines. Sigh! We terribly miss that food.That very unique,  purple corn cobs was also a tease of our grumbling stomachs.

Khlong Hae Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองแห)


My idea of floating market was something like a normal wet market where you can buy fruits, vegetables, ingredients for cooking etc.  Can’t blame from what we learned in the books. But Hatyai’s Khlong Hae Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองแห) was kinda unique. It only cater’s local food and refreshment which is surprisingly awesome for foodies juts like us.


Refreshment vendors dominates the floating market. Their unique, recyclable and environment friendly drink containers are eye catching. Look at those anime figures clay containers. Aren’t they cute?

From Orange, Lychee, Lemonade, Buko juices and  Iced Tea are among the choices. We sip our lemonade in the cute Hello Kitty and Doraemon clay containers. It’s refreshingly awesome!

Of course a variety of vendors selling local Thai delicacy like Tom Yum, Grilled Foods, Otak-Otak, and  Grilled Sticky Rice in Bamboo to name a few. 

Every smiley Tom Yum Vendor

Ever wonder how we pay them, if they sitting on the boat and meter away from the bank? 

The Solution: Long stick with attached basket on the end.



Put the bill through the basket, they get the money then give you what you purchase. Thai ingenuity as it’s best.



We had stayed for at least than an hour stuffing our empty gut, while watching people parading at the river bank having their own taste of Thai delicacy from the floating vendors.

It was a fun stomach filling  experience and vie for a repeat this year.


Tip: It’s best to visit the Floating Market during dawn and night.



Foodie Couple,


Sky and Summer

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29 Replies to “Hatyai Trip: Khlong Hae Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองแห)”

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  2. Jonas Ignatius Labagala says: Reply

    Awesome! I've always seen floating market in the pictures and television before. I want to experience the real thing! And your pictures are so good!

  3. This is what I wanted to visit. A floating market. I hope I could find one here instead of going to the mall.

  4. Sarah Andres Estor says: Reply

    The place looks so colorful! I've always wanted to visit a floating market.

  5. Figured that Thailand is home to a lot of markets and food stalls in every province I suppose.

    -Wanderer Juan

  6. GilCamporazo says: Reply

    Are Thais too many that those vendors confined themselves to sell their wares, products, foods and everything in a floating market? It is good that the river is clean and free from eyesores. Even the vendors look neat, tidy and clean!

  7. The tees in the market has really creative designs. It would be nice to experience shopping in the floating market.

  8. A floating market with all sorts of wares and items, looks pretty exciting. I have to say that the water and surroundings looks very clean.

  9. the people & the place is similar to the Philippines. we don't have a floating market though. 😉

  10. Great post! I hope I can visit thi place too! The stalls are similar to that of Boracay and some other souvenir area here in the Philippines 🙂

  11. algene may cutamora says: Reply

    Ohhh I would like to experience visiting this floating market! I wonder how convenient or inconvenient is it for some shoppers? Lol

  12. Good for you Sky and Summer!
    When I think of Thailand, its the King and I as a kid,
    when I became a teenager, I think of Phuket and the Tsunami..
    As an adult, I can think of Condoms and HIV campaigns..
    Haist! I watch too much TV and movies perhaps..
    Time to tighten the cinch, I know Thailand is great especially for backpackers..
    i can brave that! 🙂

  13. What would'nt i do to get here..
    Floating Market, think I will go gaga over..

    the scene is rich, looks to be amazing, the food!
    You must have had the time of your life

  14. This place looks very interesting, its not the same floating market I've been to. How many hours is that train ride from KL to Hatyai?

  15. Thanks Jonas! Come and visit Thailand!

  16. Sana maisip din to ng kababayan natin sa Marikina or Pasig perhaps. hehe

  17. Yeah Too colorful , especially the floating market vendors 🙂

  18. Agree! and specially to the tourist friendly cities 🙂

  19. Yes Sir Gil, In Bangkok, they sell almost anything, from local crafts, to bizarre ones 🙂

  20. Very creative indeed, and made us bought a pair one.

  21. I guess Thaiss do know how to save and protect their environment. I barely see anyone litters anywhere.

  22. I think elsewhre in South Eas Asia. much looks the same, except for there beautiful sweet accent 🙂 Sawadee Ka!

  23. Thanks Gen-zel! Come visit and be amaze with Thailand.

  24. I would say convenient, since they just all stay in one place, and buyers don't need to jump off on different place.

  25. Yes, it's no.1 country for backpackers! Natawa ako sa condoms and HIV campaigns… If a

  26. Jonas Ignatius Labagala says: Reply

    Yeah! But the problem is, I don't have much money for the airfare. Soon! 😀

  27. There's a lot of airfare promos, for sure you can scoop at least one 🙂

  28. You guess it right, as visiting a floating market is not on our everyday day life 🙂

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