Although
like Chattuchak Market in the sense that there is a lot on offer, this market
is by no means organized with the tourist in mind - in fact it's pretty disorganized!
Located on Ratchadaphisek in northern Bangkok, the market takes place on the grounds
of Ratchada Night Bazaar - a mirror of the Suam Lum Night Bazaar near Lumpini,
built by the same owners, but whihc nose dived in around 9 months. What currently
replaces it is the market… Basically a car boot sale, there's probably very little
you would really want to buy to take home, but its well worth the visit just to
see what they have got. As you can see by the pictures, there's a lot on offer.
My favorite the night I went was a Vietnam vintage US Army Jeep - I s**t
you not. Alongside that, motorbikes, lots of them, and all classics and all for
sale, although a little English language note on the Thai language signage usual
says, "No book"! Lambrettas, Vespas, Harley's - it just depends what is on offer
on the night you go! Away from the hardware things get even more weird - 60's
"kitsch" furniture - the only thing that is missing is one of those lights that
float oil! Also, classic advertising… posters advertising the very first Rover
motor car! If you are a DJ the vinyl might be of interest, although most
of the records on sale seem to be classics… Bach, Beethoven… that sort of stuff…
(Go on - admit it, you nearly asked "How did they get them?" right?) There is
also a huge selection of Buddhist amulets and a lot of people taking them very
seriously, too. And of course, there's the usual array of weapons that seem to
be mandatory at markets - Kung Fu stars, samurai swords, and few more practical
items like baseball bats. There's a bit of street food on offer, and you can even
get yourself a couple of cheap cocktails. Also, cheap bottles of whisky, obviously
straight off a plane! This is not a momentous affair, but it is pretty
interesting… and if you wander up there you are likely to be the only foreigners
and, who knows, you might even get to know a local who isn't serving you with
a beer or a plate of food. The market starts at 19:00. To get there you need to
go a few stops north of Chattuchak Station. Get out at Ractadaphisek Station and
go to the exit that leads to 'Panyasap School'. Facing the road, turn left and
walk about 300 meters - you'll see the market on your left. Give it a shot - a
genuine slice of Thailand. |