Thailand's Railway and Floating Markets

Last Thursday we went on a trip just outside Bangkok to visit two famous markets. One was a market built over a still-in-use railway track, the other a floating market where people barter from boats.

Driving through Thailand's countryside.

This is the dusty, bustling town of Mae Klong, which at first glance seems a fairly unremarkable place...

...except for this railway track running through it.

Walk along a ways and you'll find Talad Rom Hoop market, where vendors sell their fruits, vegetables, fish and other wares right from the sides of the track.

Most of the market is sheltered from the sun by these hanging "umbrellas."

The track is still in use, however, so at certain periods in the day, a bell will ring, indicating that a train is coming. The shopkeepers will quickly move their produce out of the way.

They'll also lift up the umbrellas, making way for the train.

Once the train has passed, the market returns to its normal self almost instantly.

Driving along a palm tree-lined highway to our next destination...

...the Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak!

Vendors would pull our boat towards their stall and try to get us to buy souvenirs.

After the market, we took another boat into some rural residential areas where local Thai people live.

Heading back to Bangkok.

That evening, we met up with two German girls, Julie and Anna, on Khao San Road. Angela knew Julie from her time teaching in France, and when they found out they would both be in Bangkok at the same time, they decided a reunion was in order.

Drinking cheap but tasty buckets. It was a really fun evening!

The two markets were both pretty fun places to visit. I especially enjoyed Mae Klong Railway Market, as it seemed a lot more authentic than Damnoen Saduak's rather gimmicky, tourist-driven stalls.

Coming up in the next post: Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam!