KLONG SUAN 100 YEAR OLD MARKET, CHACHOENGSAO
Chachoengsao is a sleepy provincial capital 80 km east of Bangkok. It is also known as “Paet Rio”. The name Chachoengsao is derived from Khmer and means deep canal, while the name of Paet Rio is believed to refer to the abundance of (dried) snakehead fish in the area which the locals would pierce into eight stripes before cooking / selling [“Paet” means eight and “Rio” means stripes ].
Chachoengsao covers an area of 5,351 sq km and is located on the Bang Pakong River. It is an important agricultural region in central Thailand. Here you will find tasty mangos, jasmine rice, coconut and much more.
The Klong Suan 100 year old Market is situated on the banks of Prawetburirom canal and extends over two provinces: Tambon Thepparat, Amphoe Ban Pho, Chachoengsao Province and Tambon Klong Suan, Amphoe Bang Bo, Samut Prakan Province.
The origins of this riverside community date back to the reign of King Rama V when boats were the principal transportation and Klong Suan was a stopover for travellers heading to Bangkok.
For many years the only passenger boat service from Chachoengsao to Bangkok was operated by Mr Nai Loet. The Service started at Chachoengsao, via the Khlong Suan Market, ultimately arriving at Pratu Nam (“Water Gate”) in Bangkok.
However, with the development of freeways, the popularity of the market started to decline. In the modern age, hypermarkets and corner convenience stores are rapidly replacing Thailand’s traditional markets.
Many of these traditional markets have closed. This has led to fewer boats on the canals which in turn has led to a rapid deterioration in the condition of these waterways.
Fortunately, the local governments of these two provinces strongly support the preservation of the community’s traditional culture and its historical buildings.
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Our day starts at 9 AM when my driver and I will take you past the rice paddy fields and ponds of local gourami fish to Chachoengsao and the Klong Suan 100 year old Market.
In this market you will experience authentic traditional Thai culture, complete with its old ‘shop houses’ and stalls selling a variety of tasty traditional foods like tom yam noodles, sweet Thai sausage and pot-stewed duck and desserts made from coconut.
You will also find shops selling quaint traditional kitchen utensils and fishing equipment, a hardware store, traditional toys for children, clothing and a lot more. You will see antique tin toys used by children generations ago. Every day local residents walk to the market to buy, sell, or trade items they need in their daily lives.
While there you might like to enjoy a coffee at “Pae Lee”, a 71-year-old coffee shop. This unpretentious establishment with its few small round tables and stools takes its name from its owner, a genial elderly man with a ready smile.
Sipping a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the traditional décor, affords a glimpse into the charm of a past age.
A 15 minute drive from here will bring you to the sacred Buddha image Phra Phutthasothon, or Luang Pho Sothon, the center of spiritual faith of the local community. Lunch will be served at a restaurant by the Bang Pakong river.
Should you be able to travel here on a weekend or public holiday, you will be able to experience the neighbouring Baan Mai Market, which affords a further insight into the traditional way of life of the local community.
Here you will find a selection of traditional Thai foods served at the various canal side restaurants, or you might choose eat as you walk along the canal bank. There is no “air-conditioned comfort” here in traditional Thailand.
Perhaps you would like to take an optional boat tour along the scenic Bang Pakong river before returning to Bangkok in the late afternoon.
Cost : 155 USD for 1-2 person.
Includes:
* Specialist English-speaking Thai Guide
* Private car and driver
Excludes:
* Cost of lunch and drinks
* Other options you may elect to pursue at your own expense
* Tips