Going to the morning market at the 100-Year-Old Market by Pak Phanang River, Thailand, is a fabulous experience of local life by the river.
Morning Pak Phanang Old Market
When we got to Pak Phanang at 11:30 a.m., it was probably a little later, and we were told that the morning market was winding down for the day.
Predominately local, this century-old market is worth visiting to feel how the local community starts their day by getting their marketing down by the river.
We were led to the two buildings with a narrow alley in between.
Nothing was happening here except for motorcycles and locals walking towards the alley.
No locals came out of the alley with their groceries or fresh produce.
We looked up.
A large wooden signboard stood between the two buildings. It probably said, “100-year-old Pak Phanang Old Market.”
Since none of us could read Thai, we gamely strolled down the alley to find out.
This is a change and an eye-opener for all who shop for our fresh groceries at the hypermarkets.
Surprisingly, the area is relatively dry, and there’s no fishy seafood smell, even though we found some fresh seafood for sale.
The entrance to the market is through a tiny lane.
The large wooden sign straddles two buildings.
Look how narrow the alley is! There’s even a metal staircase between the two buildings—you might fancy climbing down the steep steps.
The alley opens after a short stroll and brightens close to the river.
Food stalls sell all sorts of cooked dishes and fragrant curries.
This lady is selling soya bean sheets and fried soya products.
How about some takeaway breakfast noodles for the little boy?
Another hawker is selling soya bean sheets, which must be popular here.
She’s selling some soup dishes, all pre-packed in small plastic bags.
This is where it all began by the Pak Phanang River, where the traders plied their wares a century ago.
A woman was carrying fish.
Riverside view.
They were selling vegetables by the river.
Vegetable and fruit seller.
Pak Phanang Old Market – Nakhon Si Thammarat
Pak Phanang Retro Market is a canal-side market on Khlong Bang Chanak that reflects the folkways of the Pak Phanang people.
If you love to explore the off-the-beaten-track, the districts of Pak Phanang and Laem Talumphuk in Nakhon Si Thammarat are a legend.
Pak Phanang is an old fishing village and trading settlement.
The district’s name means ‘sheltered mouth,’ referring to the mouth of the Pak Phanang River, protected from the open sea by a long peninsula.
The most striking geographical feature is the long elongated peninsula known as Laem Talumphuk (‘toli shad cape’), formed of sand deposited by the predominantly northward current interacting with the outflow of the Pak Phanang River.
