Rawai is home to the Chao Le, or sea gypsies, a community of former sea nomads who settled in the village. Many still make a living from fishing, and their village market began as a place where residents bought the day's catch.
Over time it grew in popularity, restaurants opened to cook fish bought across the street, and today the market is an attraction in its own right.
Harbor Of Fresh Seafood
The Sea Gypsies fish market is an interesting cultural attraction and a good place to buy fresh seafood. Choose your seafood and have it cooked right there. With so many vendors, each with an inviting display, your only challenge will be choosing.
Fish, lobsters, prawns, crabs, squid, clams, oysters and shellfish are laid out on beds of ice, and many stalls have bubbling tanks of live fish, shellfish and lobsters.
The locals here are very welcoming. Even if you are not here to eat, the sight of so many stalls and so much seafood is worth seeing, though it is best enjoyed with a meal.