Thailand Markets

The wholesale flower markets in Bangkok are better than any botanical garden, the floating markets are a cultural experience, and the coastal fish markets offer oversized crustaceans. But what is hard to swallow are the fried worms and insects sold by street vendors.

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Woman Selling Fruit at Floating Market in Amphawa, Thailand - Encircle Photos

1 Woman Selling Fruit at Floating Market in Amphawa, Thailand

To get a real taste of Thailand, visit Amphawa Floating Market located about 90 minutes from Bangkok. Along a narrow canal are foot bridges, walkways and makeshift stalls. The crowd is more Thai than foreign tourists. The real charm is watching the boat merchants float along while hawking their wares. Among the fruits in the first boat are rambutan, mangosteen and musk melons. The second boat offers a floating lunch. The meal typically consists of shrimp, squid or clams plus pad Thai noodles.

Amphawa Floating Market, Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand
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Racks of Women’s Silk Clothes in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Racks of Women’s Silk Clothes in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

Most people explore the streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown for the food. However, you can also shop for Chinese merchandise and souvenirs such as sorting through these racks of traditional silk and embroidered women’s clothes.

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Red Ripe Apple Display in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

2 Red Ripe Apple Display in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

If you are a vegetarian and don’t care to eat the unusual animal, fish and bird dishes offered by the street vendors in Chinatown, you can always be safe by enjoying these red ripen apples. Or if you are more daring, then sample a Thai fruit like a rambutan, mangosteen or a durian. The latter has a hard, spiky green shell that covers a yellow creamy texture. But you may want to hold your nose because it has a very pungent smell.

Yaowarat Rd & Itsara nuphap Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
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Roasted Duck Jerkey in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

3 Roasted Duck Jerkey in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

The stalls and food carts in Bangkok’s Chinatown offer countless types of unusual foods such as this roasted duck jerkey or a pig’s head version. Other local delicacies include bird’s nest or pig’s intestine soup and claypot fish maw (bladder). And it seems almost everything is served with noodles or sticky rice. I’ll bet your mouth is watering.

Yaowarat Rd & Itsara nuphap Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
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Woman Selling Shrimp in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

4 Woman Selling Shrimp in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

This woman selling shrimp in a Chinatown stall was very proud of her display while she waited to barter and then serve her customers. This is one example of the numerous merchants and food carts that are packed along Yaowarat Road. Evening is the best time to stroll down the adjoining alleys to witness the bustle of people, savor the aromas, and taste unique types of Chinese and Thai food.

Yaowarat Rd & Itsara nuphap Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
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Dendrobium Orchids at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Dendrobium Orchids at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand

There are over 180 species of the Dendrobium orchid grown in Thailand and more than 1,200 across Asia probably because they are very adaptable to different climates and elevations. But what they have in common is their beauty. That is why they are so popular among commercial buyers who you’ll see snapping them up at the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok. This genus is also highly exported for the home enthusiasts around the world.

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Fresh Fish on Ice in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Fresh Fish on Ice in Bangkok, Thailand

Whenever in a foreign country, I gravitate towards the local fish market with my camera in hand, and there are several of them in Bangkok, Thailand to thrill the like-minded photographers. Yes, the odors can be pungent, the flying insects can be plentiful, the melting ice and blood can be flowing along the floor, and some of the sea life can still be flopping around for survival, but the ambiance speaks volumes about the local culture, economy and cuisine.

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Fried Crickets and Grasshoppers Called Chingrit and Takatan in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Fried Crickets and Grasshoppers Called Chingrit and Takatan in Bangkok, Thailand

Thai field workers first began eating fried insects, but now you will find several vendors throughout Bangkok, Thailand, selling fried grasshoppers (called Takatan) and crickets (called Chingrit) from push carts to the locals as a high-protein, low calorie, cheap snack and to tourists who dare each other to try them. These crispy, crunchy delights are typically seasoned with salt and other spices. So close your eyes and try them.

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Fried Silk Worms Called hon Mhai in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Fried Silk Worms Called hon Mhai in Bangkok, Thailand

Deep fried silk worms called hon Mhai are a common snack sold on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. They are often fried on the vendor’s cart to insure freshness and garnished with salt and/or pepper and sometimes a secret sauce before using a ladle to serve them up. A similar treat is the bamboo worms, called rod duran and nicknamed “express train.” They are long and slender with about a half dozen ridges.

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Green and Yellow Bananas Called Gluay in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Green and Yellow Bananas Called Gluay in Bangkok, Thailand

There are about twenty varieties of bananas in Thailand, which collectively are called gluay or kluay num wah, and they are sold ripe (yellow) and unripe (green) to accommodate different Thai dishes. They are also sliced, dried and eaten as snacks. They are much smaller than most bananas. Banana trees are commonly grown at Thai homes so they can enjoy the fruit, but also use the leaves to wrap food while cooking, use parts of the trunk for animal feed, and use the flowers for food or decoration.

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Old Merchant Woman at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Old Merchant Woman at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand

The Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok will delight your senses of sight, touch and smell. Before dawn, the flowers start arriving from around Thailand and are quickly arranged into beautiful displays. Soon the crowds of commercial buyers, florists, hotels, Thai locals and tourists bump elbow-to-elbow in search of the finest bouquets. This vendor accents her flowers with colorful ribbons and bows.

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Purple Weaved Jasmine Garlands at Pak Khlong Talat in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Purple Weaved Jasmine Garlands at Pak Khlong Talat in Bangkok, Thailand

These purple and white jasmine flowers have been braided together into a garland called a malai at the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand. The art form of weaving these garlands dates back to at least the mid-19th century when they were used by kings during important ceremonies.

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Rambutan NgoR and Mangosteen Mang-Kut Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Rambutan NgoR and Mangosteen Mang-Kut Display in Bangkok, Thailand

In this display at a food market in Bangkok, Thailand, are two popular Thai fruit that most Westerners are unfamiliar with. On the left is the Purple Mangosteen, which is called mahngkoot or mang-kut, or simply the “Queen of Fruits” because legend has it that Queen Victoria offered a huge reward for its delivery to her. Inside its leathery husk are sections which are white, sweet and tangy. Its seasonal availability is very short and it’s rarely exported. On the right is Rambutan, also called NgoR or ngaw, but we called fuzzy fruit. Thailand is the largest producer. It also has white inside and contains a large seed. The taste is sweet but slightly acidic.

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Red Chili and Green Beans Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Red Chili and Green Beans Display in Bangkok, Thailand

Numerous Thai recipes call for green beans combined with red chili, the latter which are called bird’s eye chili or phrik khi nu. These spicy chilies are frequently blended with curry, incorporated into salads, or mixed as an ingredient into the main course of fish, meat or poultry. This display was at an outdoor market in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Rows of Purple Orchids at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Rows of Purple Orchids at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand

Apparently there are over 20,000 species of orchids, so I didn’t even try to research the names of these beautiful purple flowers. What I do know for certain is the joy of smelling the rows and rows of flowers for sale at the Pak Khlong Talat flower market in Bangkok, Thailand. Although it is open around the clock, the delivery trucks start rolling in in the wee hours of the morning followed quickly by the commercial buyers and wholesalers who want the best selection.

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Merchant in Boat at Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

5 Merchant in Boat at Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok, Thailand

This woman wearing a traditional Thai straw hat and a big smile is one of several boat merchants who are delighted to make your customized meal at the Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok. You will also be greeted by wonderful music by local musicians and swirling catfish that hope you’ll drop food into the klong (canal). This market is a great place to experience but it is only open on weekends.

333 Chak Phra 19 - Chim Phli, Khwaeng Khlong Chak Phra, Khet Taling Chan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10170, Thailand
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Woman Preparing Food at Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

6 Woman Preparing Food at Taling Chan Floating Market near Bangkok, Thailand

There are several floating markets around Bangkok, but one of the closest and least crowded is Taling Chan. Cooks in small wooden boats prepare food dockside while eager customers look on. A few minutes after this photo was taken, the two women on the left nodded their approval for the taste of their lunch.

333 Chak Phra 19 - Chim Phli, Khwaeng Khlong Chak Phra, Khet Taling Chan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10170, Thailand
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Thai Apples on Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Thai Apples on Display in Bangkok, Thailand

The planting and harvesting of apples was introduced into the northern parts of Thailand where the climate and soil was conducive to growing a good crop. However, because apples from other countries can be easily and cheaply imported into major Thai cities like Bangkok, the economics of growing them locally was not very strong. Therefore, the production of true Thai apples has dramatically decreased.

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Thai Green and Red Guava Fruit Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Thai Green and Red Guava Fruit Display in Bangkok, Thailand

These green and red guava fruit on display in Bangkok, Thailand, were carefully wrapped to protect their outer skin which can be bitter and smells similar to a lemon. The green variety is typically eaten like an apple. The red version tends to be used in sauces much like a tomato.

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Thai Pomelo Grapefruit Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Thai Pomelo Grapefruit Display in Bangkok, Thailand

The cousin of the grapefruit in Thailand is the pomelo, which can be green or yellow when ripe, tends to be larger than a grapefruit and the inside flesh is much sweeter without the bitterness. Sometimes the thick rinds are used for making marmalade.

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Thai Pumpkins Display in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Thai Pumpkins Display in Bangkok, Thailand

Pumpkins are not as common in Thailand as they are in the United States and many of them taste more like squash. The most common variety is Kabocha and has a deep green skin. This display in Bangkok, Thailand, looks more like decorative pumpkins. A special dessert treat in Thailand is called sangkhaya fak thong, which is coconut custard that is steam baked into a small pumpkin.

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Weaved Jasmine Garland at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Weaved Jasmine Garland at Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand

This weaved jasmine garland, which the Thai call Phuang Malai, is considered as good luck at special occasions such as weddings and is also used to decorate shrines and altars at temples. Women are frequently seen stringing these flowers together in various shapes, sizes and colors at markets in Bangkok, Thailand. The city’s most famous is the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market.

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White and Red Weaved Jasmine Garlands at Pak Khlong Talat in Bangkok, Thailand - Encircle Photos

White and Red Weaved Jasmine Garlands at Pak Khlong Talat in Bangkok, Thailand

The phuang malai, which is a floral garland typically made with jasmine flowers (called malila in Thai), is extremely popular throughout Thailand. At the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok, Thailand, you can find them in an endless array of colors and shapes. They are used for luck, at temples, or by hosts as gifts to their quests at large social events.

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Fresh Thai Fish on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Fresh Thai Fish on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

These red-hybrid Nile Tilapias called Plan in can be cooked to order at many restaurants along Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. But if you have a tough time selecting from all the seafood displayed on beds of ice, then seek out one of the many seafood buffets that are offered in the area and get a small taste of everything.

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King Prawns on Ice in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

King Prawns on Ice in Phuket, Thailand

These king prawns on ice in Phuket, Thailand looked delicious and they were. But as the world’s demand for king and tiger prawns has grown, so has the size and scope of the farms, and Thailand is one of the largest exporters. Many of these operations are under intense scrutiny and being accused of everything from damaging the environment, the destruction of Mangrove forests, brutal labor practices, unsanitary conditions, chemical pollution and the spreading of diseases. I have no way to verify these claims, but I did read a couple of reports that reached similar conclusions.

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Phuket Lobsters on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Phuket Lobsters on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

If you like lobsters, then you have to try the Phuket lobster at a restaurant along Patong Beach in Thailand. Some are brown but others, for a few baht more, are bright green like these. Favorite preparation styles are Thermidor, as sashimi, baked or, best of all, boiled and served with hot garlic butter.

Patong Seafood, 98/2 Thaweewong Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand
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Rainbow of Fresh Thai Fish on Ice in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Rainbow of Fresh Thai Fish on Ice in Phuket, Thailand

This rainbow of fish on a bed of ice in Phuket, Thailand, is pretty to look at but almost impossible (at least for me) to identify all of the species. The one on the left appears to be a grouper and the pink one on the right is probably an ornate threadfin beam, which the Thai call Pla sai daeng. It is usually deep fried. I suspect some in the middle are mackerel.

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Spotted Coral Groper on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Spotted Coral Groper on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

One of the many treats in Phuket, Thailand, is walking along the Patong Beach streets and window shopping at the restaurant window displays of fresh Thai seafood, like these spotted coral groupers that are indigenous to the Western Pacific including Thailand. You point at which delicacy you want, then sit back and enjoy your company while your dinner is being cooked to perfection.

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Squaretail Coral Grouper on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand - Encircle Photos

Squaretail Coral Grouper on Ice at Patong Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

This squaretail coral grouper is from the waters of the Indo-Pacific and he seems to be greeting the Patong Beach tourists as he stares at you from a restaurant window on a bed of ice. It is a mild tasting fish that can be broiled, baked, fried or pan seared.

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