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In the
past[2] the areas adjacent to the rivers were the first to be populated. Thus
most communities of Thailand were built at the sides of rivers. The waterways
served as means of transportation and the center of economic activity as well.
Boats were mainly used for both local and regional trade, bringing goods from
those that produced to those that could barter and trade. Such ways of life of
the riverside communities, especially in the Chao Phraya River Basin increase
number of floating markets. |
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Floating
markets became the hubs of the communities in the central plain of Thailand for
centuries.[3] In the Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) due to the existence of
several adjoining canals, which were suitable for trading, they helped to gain
popularity for this type of market. |
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Early in the
Rattanakosin Period (1782-1868) this kind of market was still lively with the
crowds. Nonetheless, soon after the region grew and Bangkok began to develop,
road and rail networks were increasingly constructed in place of the canals.
This resulted in people chose to travel by land instead of by water. Therefore,
some of the floating markets were forced to move onto the ground, some were
renovated and some were closed down. |
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Ideally,
floating market’s produce and fruit are normally grown from the nearby gardens
or from the local orchards.[4] Such produce are the assorted tropical fruits[5]
and vegetables like rambutan, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, star
fruits, fresh coconut and durian. |
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