At Khlong Hae Floating Market in Hatyai, life has returned. Just months after devastating floods left the area submerged in mud and debris, the market is once again alive with colour and movement, its boats laden with food, its walkways filled with visitors.
But behind the lively scenes are stories of loss, resilience and determination. For food trader Abdul Rahman Ismail, the memory of last November still lingers.
“The water rose too quickly, we had no time to save anything. Almost everything was damaged and we were forced to close for quite some time,” the 52-year-old recalled.
The floodwaters swallowed boats, cooking equipment and prepared ingredients, leaving him without an income and facing the high cost of starting over.
“The period was the most challenging moment for me in more than a decade since operating at the market,” he added.
In the days that followed the floods, the market remained blanketed in thick mud and debris, making clean-up efforts slow and exhausting.
Driven by shared determination, traders came together to restore what had been lost, working side by side to clear the area and repair damaged facilities. Support also came from the local community, with volunteers stepping in to help bring the market back on its feet.
“Although we were exhausted, we helped one another. Little by little, the market has returned to how it once was,” 45-year-old beverage trader Siti Mariam Yusof shared.
Located just 4.4km from Hatyai city centre, the floating market reopened to visitors in mid-January. Today, its energy has returned, thanks in large part to the steady flow of domestic and foreign tourists – particularly Malaysians – who have begun making their way back.
Visitors from Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis are once again among the most visible groups, playing a key role in reviving the market’s economy.
Rows of boats brim with popular Thai favourites such as tom yam, mango sticky rice and fresh seafood, drawing crowds eager to savour the experience of dining and shopping on the water.
A visit to the market is as much about atmosphere as it is about food. Families stroll along the walkways, pausing to take in the sights, while others gather at the edge of the water to order dishes directly from vendors in their boats.
For many Malaysian visitors, the return feels especially meaningful. Nurul Hidayah Salleh from Kelantan said she was excited to finally see the market for herself, after having only seen images of the flood’s aftermath online.
“I came with my family and the changes are very noticeable,” the 30-year-old observed, adding: “The traders are friendly and the food is very appealing.”
Muhammad Firdaus Hassan, 34, said the floating market remains a must-visit whenever he travels to Hatyai. “Now, it is livelier than before. We are happy to support the traders after what they have gone through,” the Kedahan shared.
The floods, the worst in two decades, affected nearly 360,000 people across southern Thailand and claimed more than 100 lives.