| Ayothaya Floating Market: Authentic Handicrafts Offer Great Gift Ideas | |||
| UPDATE : 24 May 2010 | |||
As an ancient former capital, Ayutthaya is an important city that boasts a truly remarkable setting, featuring numerous historic temples and pagodas alongside its network of canals. Although it was only built recently, the Ayothaya Floating market was constructed to resemble an authentic floating market. Featuring an outstanding structural design and décor, visitors will discover numerous genuine handicrafts and other goods for sale in a setting that may even transport them back to the days of the Ayutthaya kingdom (1351-1767). The market’s close proximity to the temple of Wat Mahaeyong, built in 1438 during the reign of King Sam Phraya (1424-1448), as well as an elephant camp, only add to the market’s authentic feel. Handled With Care By creating a man-made waterway on the site, the developer has managed to reproduce a canal-side community. A mock slab of the old city wall also demonstrates the developer’s dedication to creating just the right ambiance. You’ll see lots of vendors in boats alongside a wooden path that meanders along the canal. Selling various kinds of foods or herbal drinks, these vendors really provide a splash of color. One dessert I’d really like to recommend you try here during the summer is chao kuay (herbal black-colored jelly, eaten with syrup and shaved ice). This sugary specialty can serve to boost your energy, allowing you to walk for hours despite the punishing heat. Once you cross the bridge into the market’s inner area, you’ll soon be able to see the full extent of the construction work. The buildings resemble wooden shophouses, while a pond at the center also makes shoppers feel like they’re right next to a real canal.
Products sold at the market tend to be mainly handicrafts as many locals have learned from their elders how to produce various goods by hand, including various forms of clothing, decorative items for the home, handbags, hats, home furnishings, shoes and women’s accessories. These have been hand crafted by the artisans using techniques such as basketweaving, embroidery, metalware, weaving and woodcraft. I got quite a surprise at the first store I called at – Bussaba – where I quickly spotted an interesting wooden toy, which reflects local wisdom on the subject of balance. Crafted into the shape of a maeng por (‘dragonfly’), the wooden toy can somehow appear as though it’s suspended in the air. Local Specialties Various handicrafts that have links with the city can be found at the market. A shop called Ayothaya Thai Silk sells highly refined silks and outfits, featuring a range of many different patterns and colors. You can also find Aranyik knives here, which were originally produced in the province by villagers from the settlements of Baan Phainong and Baan Ton Pho. There are also plenty of goods for sale associated with other parts of the country and the store that really caught my attention was Line THAI & Batik. The store uses local Thai-patterned textiles, but carefully tailors the material into casual trousers, successfully turning an otherwise rather dated-looking fabric into something far more contemporary. Hailing from southern Thailand, the owner ensures that lots of colorful batik clothing is available in a variety of styles and sizes to suit women of all ages. Rest And Relaxation Ayothaya Floating Market also boasts its own range of spa and massage services at a pavilion called Pak Hai Market, Kayaburi. You can get a relaxing massage or foot massage here, or alternatively try out the fish spa at Happy Feet.
Ayothaya Floating Market opens daily from 9 am to 9 pm. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)89 087 7012. Transport Connections: Car: Take Highway 32 from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. On reaching Hitech Industrial Park Estate, keep left then make a left-hand turn when you reach the next junction (you will see a branch of Lotus Ayutthaya on the corner). Drive straight ahead along Rojana Road past two sets of traffic lights. When you see a roundabout with a chedi located in the center, turn right and continue to drive for about 700 meters. You will see Ayothaya Floating Market on your right-hand side. Rod Dtoo (taxi van): A taxi van service operates between Victory Monument and Ayutthaya. The vans park in front of the Center One Shopping Center. On reaching Ayutthaya, ask to get off at Pra tu num Phra Indra (the ‘Indra Watergate’) and take some form of local transport from their to the site of the market. | |||
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Ayothaya Floating Market: Authentic Handicrafts Offer Great Gift Ideas
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