The unique attraction about Bangkok’s Maeklong Railway Market is the fact that a train literally runs through the market 8 times a day. We made a stop at the Maeklong market on our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, and it was a fascinating yet bizarre sight watching the market vendors selling their goods laid out on both sides of the railway track.
Maeklong station - about 72 km south west of Bangkok
the narrow walkway between the railway track
a lady happily manning her stall
chilli padi at the stall
chilli paste and red dried chillies
locals shopping at the market
the elderly continue with their marketing here despite the uneven walkway
fresh greens and fruits spread out along the track
take your pick from the wide variety of fish
& frogs too!
Once the horn of the train sounds, the market vendors quickly fold down the awnings of their stalls, pulling back the tables to allow just enough space for the train to pass. The train runs over trays of produce laid on the ground and within seconds after the train passes, the market is back in business with the stalls in their original set up.
clearing the tracks as the train approaches
market vendors leave just enough space for the train coming to pass through
back to business once the train leaves
It is one of the most interesting space in urban planning studies. It’s amazing how the vendors utilise the space and my first time seeing how they manage to leave just enough space for the train to pass through. Interesting shots!
Great shots you have there! Just a suggestion, maybe next time if you chance upon another round at the market, can do slower shutter to show moving train. Or maybe a panning will do. From the pictures, i cannot judge how fast (or slow) the train was moving and in which direction as well…
Great pictures, as all ways. Love to learn from you!
Wow.. what a sight! The train is so close to the goods.
OMG! The train is scary!
frogs?! oh my.. no way. Haha
btw, i just forgot to mention in my Boracay post that I hope my latest entry will convince you and Troy to visit Boracay. Very cheap, right? In your currency, 1 Philippine Peso = 15 Malaysain Ringgit.
MK Phang: supposedly when the railway was built, there was no law to enforce the vendors to move, so they continue to make their living there. i still think it’s quite dangerous to be so near the track!
Jimmy: don’t think i will be going to the market anytime soon. yea you’re right tx for the feedback – i wasn’t able to show the train-in-motion… it’s a bit tricky though coz there’s not much space to stand and the view u get is more of the front/back of the train rather than the side of the train. found this video though – check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpR9n-L680. u can see how immediately after the train passes, the awnings all come up. the 2nd last photo on this post is waiting for the train to come (the vendors wouldn’t bother watching the train once the train passes
)
YeeJen: yes and the train actually travels over some of the goods too… hmm…
ai shiang: it really looks like it’s squeezing through…
chyng: ah u mean 1 Malaysian Ringgit = 15 Philippine Peso.. at first when i read that i was thinking P5000 * 15 is not very cheap haha … so RM300++ for Boracay trip.. but first i have to fly to manila!
Aiyeyer….itu frogs >.<
Oh dear! It’s a real “railway” market!
I thought it was just a name…
That train must be super slow?!
Like the fish and frogs close ups.. Must go to Thailand one day, haven’t been there in ages!
correction Lee,
I was wrong. It’s NOT 1 Philippine Peso = 15 Malaysain Ringgit.
Correct conversion is 15 Philippine Peso is = 1 MYR.
Just almost MYR 333 = Php 5,000!
I have heard and seen this train market place from a variety of blogs and travel books! This is definitely on my list to visit when I go to Bangkok next time! Awesome!
I’m surprised Thai authorities allow vendors that close to the rail tracks. I suppose, the trains slow down so much as to allow people sufficient time to dismantle their stalls.
Local markets are interesting to watch and provides ample photography opportunities. The Thais must love frog cuisine.
uLi: looks really geli rite
London Caller: check this video out on youtube on how fast the train goes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpR9n-L680
Sherli: i’m following your china expedition currently… where’s your next destination in china?
chyng: yup… haha otherwise it would not be cheap if it was the other way … the conversion rate…
micki: yes, even some locals don’t know about it!
Nomadic Pinoy: well there’s the horn to warn them of the train approaching and they’re pretty efficient in bringin down their awnings and pushing in their goods… will they do it 8 times a day so it’s a routine for them
Mei Teng: yea looks like it’s part of their cuisine
This is an impressive series! You waited for the choo-choo train! NICE! I really like Thai people. Every time someone sees me in Bangkok or southern Thailand, they always smile at me. Their smiles are visible in your pictures
The bucket of brown chili paste aka belachan/shrimp paste. I missed Thailand so much!
OMG… what a bizarre and yet interesting scene! I want to see it personally! Is the place too small that they need to utilize the railway? From the photos that you took, it looks like the train would actually hit the items that were placed too close to the railway.
mylo: yea bangkok… land of smiles
shelyn: i hear that the market was originally there before the railway was built. so they just made minimal space for the railway. the train doesn’t hit the items but it actually runs over some of the food that is laid on the floor!
nice! I was in Bangkok for 2 years and I never realized that there is such place until I watch the movie Bangkok Dangerous (By nicholas cage) and this is cool, the Thais could still do their business on the railway! and no chasing ppl away
Nice one dude ! I really love the pictures, and would love to know and do some research about this place for my final project next semester. I wonder how far this place from the borders at Malaysia and how to get there easily.
Hong: oh it’s featured in the movie?
emi: I’d think it would be quite a fair distance by road.. more than 15 hours perhaps? is flying an option?
Hey Lechua,
I’m in Bangkok now and am thinking of making a trip to Maeklong railway market. I’m not taking any tour package and not going to hire cab driver. So I would not have exact information about the place. Can you still recall how far away is it from Damnoen Saduak floating market? Do you also know what time will the train run through the market? Thanks.