Visitors to beachside city Pattaya will be familiar with the area’s vibrant bars, shopping malls and other modern attractions. However, this week a new attraction opened that will give visitors an insight into a more traditional side of Thailand.

Located on Sukhumvit Road just to the south of Pattaya, the Pattaya Floating Market offers tourists and travelers a glimpse into the way in which produce was bought and sold in the days before roads covered the land and air conditioned shopping malls dominated every town and city.

Building on the success of the Pattaya Floating Market, an OTOP market village has just been added, which will promote Thai living and culture.

According to a report in the Pattaya Daily News, Mr. Mind Chainit the Nongprue city mayor presided over the opening ceremony of the OTOP village last weekend in a celebration which was also attended Pattaya’s deputy mayor, Mr. Weerawat Kahkai, along with other prominent officials.

Taking a tour of the Pattaya Floating market and OTOP village is a relaxing and enlightening experience. Tours can be booked through Pattaya’s tour agencies and major hotels.

– TN