Pattaya’s Floating Market, a popular tourist magnet in Pattaya’s Sukhumvit Road, has been burnt to the ground by a fire that broke out last night. Nation Thailand reports that around 1 rai of the 19-rai attraction was totally destroyed in the blaze.
Chon Buri governor Thawatchai Srithong says firefighters managed to get the blaze under control at around 10pm. The governor inspected the scene of the blaze later last night, accompanied by Pattaya mayor, Poramet Ngamphichet.
Thawatchai says the fire spread rapidly, due to most of the buildings and structures at the market being made of wood. After the blaze had been extinguished, firefighters continued to spray water over the debris, to prevent fire catching hold again.
There are reports in some Thai-language media outlets that a number of people jumped into the water to escape the flames. One person who was injured has been treated in hospital and has now returned home.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire, with officials set to examine the scene today.
The Pattaya Floating Market, also known as “4 Regions Floating Market”, is a popular tourist attraction on Sukhumvit Road in the sub-district of Nong Prue. It’s renowned for its floating Thai pavilions, modelled on the architectural styles of the four regions of Thailand.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
