Khlong Hae Floating Market Rebounds As Malaysian Tourists Return

From Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

SONGKHLA, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Khlong Hae Floating Market in Hat Yai has shaken off the mud left by floods last November, replaced now by the aroma of freshly cooked food and the sounds of bargaining.

Yet beneath the lively atmosphere lies the story of traders who lost everything — and how they have since regained their footing. 

Traditional food trader Abdul Rahman Ismail, 52, recalled vividly the day the flood water rose without warning, submerging boats and damaging cooking equipment as well as raw ingredients prepared for daily sales.

“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,” he told Bernama.

He added that the situation caused him to temporarily lose his source of income, while also having to bear the cost of repairing his boat and replacing equipment.

“The period was the most challenging moment for me in more than a decade since operating at the market,” he said.

A similar experience was shared by beverage trader Siti Mariam Yusof, 45, who contemplated giving up her business after suffering heavy losses.

She said that several days after the floods, the market area remained covered in mud and debris, making clean-up efforts difficult.

However, the determination to recover drove her and other traders to work together to clean the market and repair facilities damaged by the floods.

The efforts were carried out in stages with support from the local community, who also came forward to help restore the business area.

Siti Mariam said strong cooperation among traders was a key factor in accelerating the market’s recovery process.

“Although we were exhausted, we helped one another. Little by little, the market has returned to how it once was,” she said, noting that recovery efforts are ongoing.

The floating market, located a mere 4.4 kilometres from Hat Yai city centre, has reopened to visitors since mid-January. 

Today, it has regained its vibrancy with the return of both domestic and foreign tourists — particularly Malaysians — who have recently begun to flock back to the area.

A Bernama observation found that visitors from Malaysia — especially those from Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis — are among the largest groups visiting the market, playing a vital role in reviving the local economy.

Rows of boats were once again filled with traditional Thai delicacies such as tom yam, mango sticky rice and fresh seafood, which remain key attractions for international visitors.

The lively atmosphere is further enhanced as visitors, including Malaysian tourists, crowd the walkways around the market while enjoying the unique experience of shopping on water.

A tourist from Kelantan, Nurul Hidayah Mohd Salleh, 30, said she was excited to see the market recover after previously only seeing images of the flood’s impact on social media.

“I came with my family and the changes are very noticeable. The traders are friendly and the food is very appealing,” she said.

Another tourist from Kedah, Muhammad Firdaus Hassan, 34, said visiting the floating market is a must-do activity whenever he travels to Hat Yai.

“This time, it is livelier than before. We are happy to support the traders here after what they have gone through,” he said.

The return of Malaysian tourists is seen as giving a new hope to traders at Khlong Hae Floating Market.

For the traders, its revival is not merely a business recovery, but a symbol of the community’s resilience in the face of challenges and survival.

The flood, the worst in 20 years, had claimed the lives of over 100 people and impacted nearly 360,000 people in 48 districts across the southern region, according to reports. 

-- BERNAMA