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As in my previous blog, Chanthaburi City is directly on the sea and also the fruit's paradise.
The local market is one of my favorite places to visit while I travel. And I'm so lucky for this trip because my hotel is located near the Market. The Dugong market is just only 1.2 kilometers walk and is worthwhile making.
So I decided to take a short walk to the Dugong market for taking some photos, look around, find something to eat, and probably do a small shopping.
Dugong Market is the highlight of Chao Lao Beach for those who are food lovers including the locals and visitors. This is a local market located at Dugong Swimming Roundabout, Chao Lao Beach, Chanthaburi City, Thailand.
The market is divided into 2 sides. The right side is the Dry market and the left side is the Wet market. This Dry market is supposed to be open every day. It starts at 6 am and most stalls were open until 8:00 pm., and some stalls are open 24 hours.
The Wet market is also known as Ta lad Yai Thorn Market in Thai, which translates to the Granny Thorn, and is supposed to be open only three times a week, just open on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. It starts at 2-3 pm and most stalls were open until 6:00 pm. But on this specific occasion Songkran national holiday in Thailand, the vendors will open every day from dawn to dark.
THE DUGONG MARKET AREA
The market did provide sufficient space for vehicle parking, including cars and motorcycles, which we can park our vehicle behind the Dry market or just park on the street in front of the stall on both sides.
THE DRY MARKET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
I arrived at the market around 4:30 pm, the sun was not too strong, yet the air was already cooling down, and not so much heavy humidity.😀 So let's start to explore the Dry market first. The market stretches over several blocks and is a very busy place. It is the Food and Souvenir center of this town, where you can find both dried food and processed Seafood.
It is a market that has been known for a long time if you have previously visited Chao Lao beach. You will be amazed by the long line of merchandise sold here.
Most of them are processed seafood such as sun-dried squids, dried shrimps, dried razor clam, dried baby anchovy, shrimp Paste, salt, and abalone-fish sauce.
The signature snacks that are offered at Dugong Market and something you must buy when you visited Chantaburi city is the product of Durian, the king of fruits.
Durian Mon Thong chips are made from unripe Durian, then sliced thinly, and fried in vegetable oil, then sprinkled with salt to taste. It has a buttery taste. When you started then you couldn’t stop eating it. 😄
And another snack that must buy is Durian Cracker. It's a cracker with Durian Chips are made with crispy Mon Thong Durian, fragrant caramel, topped off with a raisin, and crunchy cashew nut pieces.
One of the most popular plants of Chanthaburi is both black and white pepper. The history of this glory started in the early Ayutthaya period over 650 years ago when historians found evidence of pepper that had been recorded. Chanthaburi pepper is the best in quality and is available on sale for both peppercorns and ground pepper.
Chanthaburi is reputed for producing the best noodles with unique local taste and it's called Chan Noodles. It has become the symbol of the city. In my opinion, it is suitable well for being a souvenir for people who are fascinated by cooking like me. Just grab one and I'll cook it soon. 😀
At the end of the Dry Market, I found The Cho Huay Shop, which is a real Thai-style supermarket. It is one of the oldest style grocery stores in Thailand which offers miscellaneous food and beverages and also various types of products that are open 24 hours. They even put the telephone number on the display and offer free delivery. I think this is a very intelligent way to run a business. Please support the locals' shop when you travel and they can survive and ability to fight with a big retail company.
THE WET MARKET ON THE LEFT SIDE
From another side, I cross the road into the main part of Dugong Market and entered a paradise of seafood!!!!
Spotted Babylon is a meaty sea snail, and’s especially good for just making by boiled or grilled and dipping with spicy and sour condiments.
Just like all markets in Thailand, it'll be surrounded by the good produce, there was an overflow of local vendors sitting everywhere selling their produce in the aluminum tray or foam boxes.
Some of the tables were large, and just covered in an overload of fresh shrimp.
If you love crab and clam, then you can find them both at Dugong Market, and it was not expensive a all.
There was also a stall selling the seafood that was already prepared. As these stalls sell scallops and oysters that are already unpeeled and ready to eat. So just buy and cook.
Crab has always been one of my favorite food to eat but always boring to peel the skin off, and there were thoughtful stalls that unpeel them for us. They were still fresh and looked pretty good.
Jelly Fish, The Future Food. Edible jellyfish is a seafood that is harvested and consumed in Thailand. Edible jellyfish are often processed into the pickled. The white Jelly Fish is pickled in saltwater, and the red Jelly Fish is pickled in the bark of the Copper Tree and saltwater. They were still unfamiliar, but they were good and fun to try.
There are some stalls that offer the freshest seafood, and is kept alive or knocked with an absolute abundance of ice cube to keep them freshest.
Then the customers come and select the best seafood.
Then the vendors will cook with customers' requirements, which can be grilled, boiled, or deep-fried.
IF YOU LOVE OCTOPUSES, YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!!!
Although seafood is the main focus at Dugong Market, there is a lot of things to find, from meat to vegetables, fruits, and snack.
FARM FRESH VEGETABLE
FRUITS
Chanthaburi is popularly known as one of the fruit baskets of Thailand, Chanthaburi produces many kinds of fruits which become economic plants for consumption inside Thailand and export aboard. The tropical fruits such as durian, zalacca, banana, mango, tamarind grape, and many more.
FRIED INSECTS
Many people in Thailand enjoy eating insects as a snack food. They're usually fried in a wok, and seasoned with Golden Mountain sauce & a bit of Thai pepper powder.
MISCELLANEOUS
Thai Coconut Pancake Souffle' is made from rice flour and coconut cream. It is topped with white meringue, grated coconut, sugar, and sesame seeds. It is a unique Thai dessert at temple fairs. In the past, people could only find them at temple fairs. Nowadays, they can be purchased at local markets or on the roadside.
Som Tam or Green papaya salad is a spicy salad made from shredded unripe papaya mixed with Thai-style ingredients, that is possibly one of the favorites dishes for Thais.
That amazing barbecue of grilled pork looked amazing, but I will have to wait for next time. Right now it's the time for seafood only. 😀
Markets always offer a unique way to buy and eat while supporting the locals and learning about a traditional way of life.
If you’re looking for a great adventure food journey, just find some local markets and explore them, and make a wonderful time while walking around.
Thank you all for reading and also thank you for #MarketFriday by 
Related post about Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi In 3 Days 2 Night, Chivaree Hotel And Resort (Part 1.1) 🇹🇭
Wishing You Guys a Happy Weekend!! 🌷
