Thap Than Livestock Market, locally known as “Nong Ya Plong Market,” is one of Thailand’s most important livestock trading centers and plays a significant role in the rural economy of the upper central region. Located along the Tha Phatthan–Sawang Arom Road in Tha Phatthan District, Uthai Thani Province, the market benefits from its strategic position connecting agricultural areas of nearby provinces such as Chai Nat, Sing Buri, and Nakhon Sawan.

The origins of the market are deeply rooted in the traditional agricultural lifestyle of communities in the Sakae Krang River basin, where rice farming and cattle and buffalo raising have long been essential. In the past, water buffalo were indispensable as primary labor for plowing fields and transporting crops before modern machinery became widespread. Over time, informal livestock exchanges gradually evolved into a weekly market and became a regular meeting point for farmers from various regions.

A defining characteristic of Tha Phatthan Cattle and Buffalo Market is its preservation of traditional trading practices. Farmers and traders rely on experience and keen observation to assess animals by their physical structure, muscle tone, teeth, horns, skin, and behavior rather than scientific instruments or paperwork. Price negotiations are conducted through local dialects and mutual trust, reflecting a trading culture based on human relationships rather than purely monetary value.

Beyond livestock trading, the market also serves as a center of knowledge related to animal husbandry. The area features a wide range of traditional and modern livestock equipment, including muzzles, bells, lead ropes, animal feed, herbal medicines, and nutritional supplements. This variety illustrates the integration of local wisdom with modern agricultural development.

The market atmosphere is especially lively in the early morning hours, when local food stalls and traditional coffee vendors line the area, providing a place for traders and farmers to rest and exchange news. The sounds of animals, the movements of people, and the rural surroundings together create a vivid representation of a grassroots economic system that has continuously sustained local communities in Uthai Thani Province.

Therefore, Tha Phatthan Cattle and Buffalo Market is not merely a place for buying and selling animals. It is a living historical and cultural space that allows visitors to understand the role of cattle and buffalo in Thai society and to appreciate the farmers who remain a vital foundation of the nation’s economy.

---

How to Get There

Private Car:

• From Uthai Thani city, take Highway 333 to Thap Than. At the main intersection, turn toward Sawang Arom (Highway 3013). The market is on the right, about 1 km from the intersection.

Public Transport:

• Take a local "Songthaew" (shuttle) to Thap Than District and hire a motorbike taxi for a short ride to the market.

---

Travel Tips

Operating Day:

• The market is most active every Wednesday (animals start arriving on Tuesday afternoons).

Best Time:

• Visit between 05:00 and 08:00 AM to see the peak of the trading action before the heat sets in.

Dress Code:

• Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes (like sneakers or boots that are easy to clean), as the ground can be dusty or muddy.

Safety:

• Be mindful of animal movements and always ask for permission before taking close-up photos of specific animals.

---

Admission Fee

• Free entry for visitors.

Opening Hours

• Main Market Day: Wednesday, 04:00 AM – 12:00 PM.