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An Indoor Floating Market in Bangkok

40 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

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SOOKSIAM at ICONSIAM is an indoor floating market that brings the whole of Thailand under one roof. The name joins “sook”, the Thai word for happiness, with Siam, the old name for the country. It covers around 15,000 square metres on the ground floor of the riverside mall in Thonburi, and it gathers food, crafts, and culture from all 77 provinces. This is one of the main reasons people cross the river to Bangkok‘s most photographed mall.

Whether you came to eat your way through regional street food, hunt for handicrafts, or just see the famous boats, there is plenty to take in. The space is built to feel like a market town at dusk, with soft lighting, painted facades, and recreated landmarks. Most people arrive planning a quick look and end up staying far longer than they meant to.

Finding SOOKSIAM at ICONSIAM

SOOKSIAM sits on the ground floor of ICONSIAM, the riverside mall on the Chao Phraya. The easiest way to reach it is the free shuttle boat from Sathon Pier, or the BTS Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon station. Once inside, follow the signs down to the market level. The entrances are easy to miss because the mall is so large, so it helps to head for the ground floor first and work out the rest from there.

The 77 Provinces of Thailand

The market is built around Thailand’s four main regions and organised into themed zones. The idea is to let you taste the North, the Northeast, the Central Plains, and the South without leaving the building. There are more than 3,000 stalls and local operators in total, so the scale is part of the draw.

Each region has its own look and its own specialities, which is why collectors of food, fabric, and crafts move slowly through the space rather than rushing from one end to the other.

Food and Street Eats

Food is the heart of SOOKSIAM. You will find pad thai, satay, grilled pork skewers, regional curries, roti, fruit shakes, mango sticky rice, and plenty of snacks you will not see in the average food court. Prices run a little higher than on the street, but the hygiene standards are higher too, which makes it a safe first taste of Thai street food for nervous visitors.

Most stalls take a stored-value card you load at the counters, so sort that out before you start ordering. Seating is shared, so grab a table when one opens up.

Crafts, Souvenirs, and Folk Arts

Beyond the food, SOOKSIAM is a good place to shop for handicrafts, woven textiles, herbal remedies, and gifts made by communities from across the country. Many of the products come from small local makers rather than big brands, so the souvenirs feel a step above the usual airport fare.

You will also catch folk performances and cultural displays throughout the day. It is worth slowing down here, because the craft stalls are where the regional character really comes through.

The Floating Market and Boats

The floating market is the signature look of SOOKSIAM, with wooden boats set along an indoor waterway and vendors selling from them. One thing to know in advance is that the boats do not move, so this is a recreated market rather than a working canal.

Even so, the staging is impressive, with painted shopfronts and landmarks borrowed from around the country, including the famous temple steps of the North. It is the most photographed corner of the whole space, so it gets busy at weekends. Visit on a weekday morning for the easiest photos and the shortest queues.

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