Market day for the Tourists!
Today we met Joe early in the morning so we could drive to one of the most unusual and amazing markets in Thailand, the Train Market. Just about 1hr outside of Bangkok is the Mea Klong train market, something you have to see to believe.
The market is a mix of produce, fish, meats and clothing vendors and is partially housed in a large building by the train tracks. The rest of the market is located ON the train tracks!
People have made stalls to sell their goods right alongside the tracks. Complete with awnings to provide shade, these vendors move their goods, and awnings, 4 times each day to allow the train to pass. As soon as it does, the awnings go back down and the food goes back to the edge of the tracks, incredible! Here’s a link to a Youtube video of the market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH0VPW-PuEE.
Getting ready for the train to pass
Pulling in awnings
Train passing through the market
Veggies right against the tracks!
Tourist in front of the train
Guide Joe on the tracks
Once the train passes the tourists (us) tend to leave for other adventures. We’re heading to the “floating market” of Damneon Saduak. But before we left, Joe treated us to a wonderful desert snack, sticky rice with mango and sweetened coconut milk! Probably one of the best desert snacks we have ever had! Delicious!
Now off to another market…..
Joe warned us about this market. He mentioned that it isn’t what it used to be because of its popularity with tourists. He said it is something we should see but keep in mind that it has changed significantly over the years.
When we arrived, we saw exactly what Joe was talking about. The parking area had several tour buses, a pavilion with food and trinkets for sale and a staging area for the long-tail boat queue that moved people through faster than Disney. Isn’t it good to see what capitalism can do for a country!
Traded our E-ticket to the attendant and got in the boat in our assigned seats just as the announcement was made, ”please keep your arms and hands inside the boat for the duration of your ride. Please remain seated and do not stand or move about the boat unless directed by a crew member or the captain. Please no flash photography. No alcohol may be brought onto the boat but can be purchased during your ride. Do not pull, stand or otherwise put pressure on the side curtains. Do not remove seat cushions. In the event of fire or emergency please follow crew instructions. Do not drink water from the river. Don’t talk back to your mother or father (if you know who he is). Don’t forget to floss each day. Thank you and have an enjoyable and safe ride.”
Our market ride…
20 minutes into the announcement and we’re on our way. What an amazing sight, boats actually tied up against shop stairs selling the goods located in the shops! Amazing, this is how commerce has been conducted for hundreds of years and now we’re part of it!
It can get a bit congested
Well, the boats are floating….
Rare local art for sale
Cafeteria boat, complete with beer!
I think Joe was right. This was interesting but certainly not what I expected to see in a “floating market”. Still, we’re in Thailand and having a great time.
Tomorrow we head to the Summer Palace and Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand.