Phil travel guide Bangkok Thailand

MARKET ON THE RAILWAY TRACKS

SAMUT SONGKRAM 


It is said that if you really want to experience the day-to-day life of Thai people, you should go to the local fresh market or, as we say in Thai, “Talat Sod”.

This tour allows you to discover an unusual market you might not have imagined existed: the Market on the railway tracks !



The market on the railway tracks in Samut Songkram province, commonly known as “Mae Klong”, is located approximately 70 km southwest of Bangkok.

This tiny province which covers an area of 416 sq km, is also home to one of the largest salt farms which connects with the neighbouring Samut Sakhon province.

A 2 carriage train travels the 33 km between Baan Laem station and Mae Klong Station 8 times a day.

Here, on both sides of 100 metre length of the railway track near Mae Klong Station, you will see the locals selling a range of their agricultural produce, including delicious fruit, as well as fresh seafood, all protected from the intense sun under awnings of their own design.



The market is also locally known as "Talat Rom Hup" due to the necessity of the shop keeper having to quickly retract their awnings whenever a train passes. In this market, the shopper bravely walk along the train track dodging the occasional train. Don't close your eyes !


 
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On this tour we depart Bangkok at 7.30 am for the 1 hour drive to Samut Songkram.

When we arrive at this crowded Thai fresh produce market you will see the vendor’s stalls along the railway tracks. We can walk along the tracks (so long as the train doesn’t come). You will notice very quickly whenever a train approaches, the vendors scramble to remove their produce to a safe distance.

If you decide to do this tour on a weekend, you will have the opportunity to visit the nearby Amphawa floating market.

The King Rama II memorial park contains a display of ancient artifacts from the early Rattanakosin era [17th-18th century] located in a complex of traditional Thai style houses.

The Amphawa floating market operates in the late afternoon weekend and offers a wide range of seductive traditional Thai foods and sweets, as well as the charming atmosphere of the Amphawa community.

Here some vendors open their foodstalls in the houses along the soi [narrow street] while others paddle their boats along the canal. This market is normally packed with Thai tourists (you may notice it is not uncommon for Thai people to eat while walking through the market).

If your itinerary does not permit a trip to the Amphawa floating market we can visit the outstanding “Ancient City”, or Muang Boran. This huge 320 acre open-air museum features replicas of more than 116 significant sites in Thailand.

Muang Boran provides a fascinating insight into wealth of Thai architecture and Thai heritage and, needless to say, is a fantasy come true for photographers - as well as for those who want to visit “all of Thailand” in a single day !

 

Cost : 155 USD for 1-2 person


Includes:

  • Specialist English-speaking Thai Guide
  • Private car and driver
  • Entrance ticket

   

Excludes:

  • Cost of lunch and drinks
  • Other options you may elect to pursue at your own expense
  • Tips