The market is located outside the old city wall, situated close to Mahaeyong Temple and next to Ayothaya Elephant Camp. It makes a convenient stop on the way to Wat Phanan Cheong and Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, both must-see temples in the ancient city. Entrance is free to the market, but dual pricing is in place for elephant rides and other shows.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ayutthaya1.jpgTo get there from the old city, visitors must cross the river at the Pridi-Thamrong Bridge and then the railway track to the Chedi Sam Pluem roundabout. Once on the roundabout, visitors take the first left and the market is located 500 metres on the right.
The main part of market is a cluster of wooden shops on stilts over a small lake, but there are about 40 boats on the lake itself that sell food and drinks. Around 200 shops are in the market.
What’s the significance for visitors? Actually, the goods on sale are not much different from what is sold in Amphawa, but here you have a new setting different from the post World War II community atmosphere of Amphawa.
Visitors will find the usual creative designs for the young generation such as T-shirts and all sorts of souvenirs that have ‘Thainess’ blended in to the designs and fabrics.
Health products are everywhere and there are post cards, coffee shops – western and Thai style, Thai massage and even a fish spa. There is also a photo studio that features old-fashioned backdrops for a typical family pose. The shop prints the photos while you wait.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ayutthaya2.jpgFood and drinks especially typical noodle shops are the mainstay of the market. Visitors can try ‘Pad Thai’, grilled squids and fresh water prawns, rice dishes, Thai desserts.
The drawback is that food is served in foam containers and this makes the presentation tacky – school meal style. It would be better to use degradable food containers and do away with the foam containers entirely.
There is a plan to open an art gallery that will house replicas of well know Buddha image, but that is still under construction.
Everyday, Ayothaya Floating Market hosts Thai dance and song performances — three on weekdays and five on weekends, free of charge.
After shopping and dining, visitors can visit the Ayothaya Elephant Camp next door. The show is free of charge, but visitors can buy veggies or fruits for the elephants. A ride on an elephant costs Bt100 for 10 minutes, Bt200 for 20 minutes, Bt300 for 30 minutes and Bt600 for one hour.
However these are the prices for Thai visitors. Foreigners pay double and this practice means the project cannot be promoted as a fair trade option. Definitely a black mark on an otherwise enjoyable family outing venue anda policy the owners should rethink.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ayutthaya3.jpgThere are also snake shows and photographs can be taken with captive tiger cubs. Again this practice should be banned and definitely diminishes the quality of the market from an environmental and conservation viewpoint.
The market has potential to add value to an attractive provincial town that has made headway in adding new sightseeing options beyond its ancient temples.
However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the Ministry of Tourism and Sports should provide guidelines and an explanation to attraction owners on why they need to cultivate the correct position on environment as well as setting a standard for fair pricing.
Bron:TTRweekly
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