Sappaya Old Market

Sappaya Old Market is a historic riverside market in Sapphaya District, Chai Nat Province, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. Dating to the reign of King Rama V more than 100 years ago, it features well-preserved wooden shophouses built by the Thai-Chinese trading community. Today it operates as a community cultural market offering local foods, traditional goods and a glimpse of early 20th-century riverine trading life.

Visitors can expect a quiet, preserved riverside street of two-story wooden shophouses along the Chao Phraya River. The market retains original wooden facades, narrow walkways and small family-run shops selling local snacks, traditional sweets, coffee and handicrafts. Areas to explore include the main market lane, riverfront views, small exhibition spaces about local history, and the adjacent historic police station. The atmosphere is low-key and community-run, busier on weekends.

The market dates back more than 100 years to the reign of King Rama V (late 19th to early 20th century) when Sapphaya was an important river trading post on the Chao Phraya River. Thai-Chinese merchants built wooden row shophouses that served as shops and residences, forming a commercial hub for rice and goods transported by river.

The market preserves Thai-Chinese riverside trading culture and traditional wooden architecture. It reflects the community way of life along the Chao Phraya River and has been revitalized as a community cultural tourism site to maintain local crafts, foods and heritage for visitors.