Khlong Hae floating market isn’t far from Hatyai town located in the south of Thailand.
Southern Thailand is a predominantly Muslim area so the market has a distinctive flavour to it. Most of the vendors are women – just like in markets in the Malaysian state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand.
Opened in August 2008, this particular floating market is southern Thailand’s first. The boats, most of them just sampans, are moored along Khlong Hae, or the Hae Canal.
Vendors cook from their boats and sell fried rice and Nasi Kerabu (rice with fresh herbs) and finger food like fish cakes, sliced mango with glutinous rice and quail eggs. It’s not a very large market but we enjoyed the walk along the canal, trying a bit of everything. Vendors don’t get up from their boats but instead pass the food over in long-handled baskets to anyone who is buying. Customers will then place their money in those baskets.
Apart from the boats in the floating market, there are about 30 stalls selling food, toys and t-shirts in the area surrounding the canal. We get a tuk-tuk from Hatyai town to Klong Hae. The market is open from Fridays to Sundays, 3-9pm. Remember to bring small change- the vendors will appreciate that.