Almost everyone who has visited Thailand enthusiastically describes the Pattaya markets where you can buy almost any product at surprisingly ridiculous prices. The country of smiles is generally different in that leisure and shopping here are extremely cheap for tourists. In the mass markets you can buy high-quality cotton clothes, souvenirs, products, dishes and even appliances. All the same, only at a much lower price, sold in the markets of Pattaya. It is about them that will be discussed in our article.
Description of the trading floors of the tourist capital of Thailand
Not every tourist in his first visit to this exotic country gets to the markets of Pattaya. Beginners do not know how to get there, therefore they either bypass outlets at all with their attention, or stumble upon them by accident and simply cannot leave empty-handed. Those who come to Pattaya often know that a better place to shop than markets has not yet been invented. They are distinguished by unusual oriental flavor, friendly local people and a variety of goods.
Most local residents themselves buy everything they need in the markets, so the prices there are quite low. In addition, in Pattaya you may encounter very unusual outlets, which you definitely will not meet anywhere else in the world. For example, a floating market attracts tourists a lot of excitement, and the night market is a place where you can not only have a great time shopping, but also spend time in a cozy cafe or on a dance floor. Such a pastime turns a shopping trip into something completely unusual, however, this is very characteristic of exotic Thailand.
Features of market purchases: tips from experienced travelers
If you are going to the markets of Pattaya, but are worried about your lack of knowledge of the English language, then we hasten to reassure you - this will not prevent you from acquiring a couple of unusual gizmos. After all, every seller has a calculator on which he will quickly show you the cost of the goods.
Keep in mind that all the outlets that we will tell you about today are cheap markets. In Pattaya, it is customary to bargain, so the initial price, even if it seemed to you low, can be reduced several times during communication. Thais are usually very polite and love to bargain, so in gratitude for a similar skill they will gladly make concessions to you.
You should not purchase goods in the very first rows - they always cost a little more than those that are at the end. Be sure to go through all the rows, it is advisable to do this several times. Merchants will see that you haven’t bought anything, and will begin to offer you goods at a discount. If you spend about an hour of your time going around the market, you will be able to make purchases at the lowest prices.
Varieties of markets
Pattaya - the resort is very diverse, so the markets here are not only colorful, but also diverse. Most of all tourists are interested in:
- night market;
- floating market in Pattaya;
- fish markets;
- fruit.
Each of the above categories we will consider in detail.
Pattaya night markets
Features of the Thai climate - hot and humid - gave rise to such a thing as night markets. Indeed, under the scorching sun during the day it is difficult to stand behind the shelves, and besides, the product very quickly becomes unusable (this is especially true when we talk about products). Therefore, Thais came up with a variety of night markets. There are several of them in Pattaya, and all of them are surprisingly different. Thanks to this, tourists can always choose exactly the trading platform that most suits their needs. We will tell you about three markets opening at dusk:
- Thepprasit Weekend Market. This is the largest night market in the city, but keep in mind that it only works on weekends - from Friday evening to Saturday evening. At this time, more than five hundred stalls are available for tourists, where you can become the proud owner of any goods, from products to the necessary equipment. There is a market five minutes from the famous Tesco Lotus shopping center, you can get here by regular tuk-tuk. Tourists are very impressed by the fact that after long walks between the malls you can sit in a small cafe where you can cook selected seafood or any other dish before your eyes.
- Pattaya Night Bazar. This market opens every day at nine in the evening and is open until eleven. It is located opposite the festival's favorite shopping center. Most often at this night market buy clothes at low prices, leather goods and souvenirs. Everything is very inexpensive, but the quality of these products can also not be called high.
- Jomtien Night Market. The Jomtien market in Pattaya is very popular with Russian tourists who come here on holiday packages or who live for a few months in rented apartments. This trading area is often called the "Russian market" for the abundance of our compatriots who often come here just to hang out. The market is located approximately in the middle of the Jomtien embankment, and it is difficult to miss it, because at the entrance there is a mill and a music machine, which is heard throughout the district. It is interesting that here the whole area is divided into several parts: in one they sell clothes, in the second there are products and ready-made dishes, in the third there are cozy cafes, a dance floor and children's trampolines. The market begins its work at five in the evening and lasts until eleven at night.
Pattaya Floating Market
This marketplace is called the Pattaya Floating Market and is fully located on a small lake. You can get here along the Sukhumvit highway if you go a little outside the city. The market itself is a stall stalls that are made in the traditional Thai style.
This market completely copies the famous markets of Bangkok and is intended for tourists. Locals do not buy anything here, and the prices here are slightly higher than on other trading floors. The market begins its work at nine in the morning and ends at eight in the evening.
You can buy here numerous souvenirs, folk art objects, various herbs and beautiful fabrics. If you get tired during the shopping process, you can relax in small cafes where you will be happy to be served traditional Thai and European dishes.
A place where only fish is sold
Pattaya's fish markets are numerous, but the Thais themselves consider one worthy of attention - Nakua Fish Market. It is located in the north of the city, and if you like seafood more than anything, then you need to know its location.
The market is next to Naklua Beach, and the earliest shoppers arrive here by five in the morning. At six o’clock in the evening, trade is minimized, because tender goods will not last long under the scorching sun. You can buy absolutely any seafood here: fish, octopus, shrimp, mussels, oysters, crabs and much more. The average price per kilogram is about one hundred baht (less than 200 rubles).
Kingdom of fruit
Naturally, in an exotic country there are a huge number of fruit markets. There are several dozen of them in Pattaya, but we are interested in the largest and most famous. These include the market on South Pattaya Road, located between the second and third soybeans. It is one of the most favorite among tourists, because here it is always quite fun and very affordable prices. On this trading floor you can buy not only fruits, but also other products. And in the numerous mashinashnikah you can always buy something tasty and original.
If you want not only bread, but also spectacles, then head to The Market Pattaya, located next to the fifth soybean. Right in the center of the market is a small stage where a variety of musical performances are held.
Those planning to take exotic fruits home should head to the Mike Shopping Mall. The choice and variety will pleasantly shock you, but prices will seem high compared to other outlets. However, sellers will always pack your goods in convenient baskets that will need to be handed over to the luggage compartment when flying.
Conclusion
It is very interesting to study the resort of Pattaya, and it is the markets that can tell a lot about it. After all, only communicating with local residents, you can find out the real and genuine Thailand, which you will not see through the windows of shops and from the windows of tourist buses.