Interested in visiting one of Bangkok’s infamous train markets? We’ve got the details.
Fun, colourful, sometimes crazy, often crowded, and full to bursting with fantastic sights, smells and sounds, Thai street markets are famous all over the world — and they’re a great place to pick up a bargain.
Some of the most unique and unmissable markets in Thailand are Bangkok’s train markets.
Read on for the ultimate guide to the biggest and best train markets in Bangkok…
Post Contents
Rod Fai Night Market Ratchada
By aotaro (CC BY 2.0 licence)
Rows of rainbow coloured tents cover stalls selling vintage items and clothing, up to date fashions, handicrafts and jewellery, shoes and bags, antiques, and much more await you at this large market buzzing with a vibrant, arty energy.
Trendy Thais come here to shop, to see and be seen, and to enjoy the evening in true Thai style.
Being so popular with the locals means that the prices here are lower than many other Bangkok markets, and on top of that there’s still room for haggling to get the perfect deal.
One side of the market boasts a sizeable food section, with food trucks serving up a plethora of dishes ranging from Thai specialties and street food, to international foods like pizza, pasta, and Japanese cuisine.
Take a pew at one of the market’s many lively bars, down a few Thai beers or cocktails, listen to the music, and soak up the ambiance — it’s the perfect way to spend an evening.
Conveniently situated on Ratchadaphisek Road just behind the Thailand Cultural Center MRT, Rod Fai Night Market Ratchada is easy to get to.
It’s open from Thursday to Sunday in the evenings from 5pm to midnight.
Rod Fai Market Srinakarin
This massive open air night market in east Bangkok just behind Seacon Square Shopping Mall is the bigger brother of the above train market at Ratchada.
Truly unique and with an unbeatable festive atmosphere, Rod Fai Market Srinakarin has a youthful, fun vibe and is jam-packed with stunning displays of weird and wonderful vintage and antique items — from kitsch furniture and stylish retro fashions to classic motorbikes.
Another zone of the market has over 2000 vendors selling all kinds of modern products such as electrical goods, clothes, toys, homewares, jewellery, handicrafts, and more.
The locals love it here and come here in droves at weekends to hang out and have fun, but it’s not just the shopping that attracts the crowds, it’s also the chilled out atmosphere and the numerous places to eat and drink on offer.
The choice here is excellent, with restaurants, and food stalls serving up super tasty dishes of steaming noodles, grilled seafood, coconut ice cream, crispy pancakes, Thai curry, sizzling stir fries, papaya salad, and tons of other delicious foods at a bargain price.
The cafes and cool bars dot the market’s perimeter, enticing customers with live music and potent cocktails – they are the perfect place to sit and chill and enjoy the ambiance.
There’s so much to do and see at Rod Fai Market Srinakarin that you can easily keep yourself amused all evening and well into the night.
Open from 5pm to midnight from Thursday through to Sunday, the market is a little out of the way.
The best bet is to catch the BTS down to On Nut Station from where you can get a cab or motorbike taxi to take you the rest of the way to Srinakarin Soi 51.
Rodfai Thonburi Market
View this post on Instagram
Fresh Market 🌶🍍🍉🥒🦐🦀🐟#travel #market #fresh #thonburi #picture #alone #local #stunning
A truly authentic Thai market located right next to Thonburi railway station, Rod Fai Thonburi market offers the chance to experience a real slice of Thai daily life.
Restaurant owners from all over Bangkok come here to this large covered market early each morning to buy fresh wholesale goods to serve later that day, and there is plenty are on sale here.
An abundance of fresh vegetables, colourful exotic fruit, meat, fish, and intoxicating spices heaped up into piles are displayed on long metal tables by friendly vendors with wide smiles, and an array of cooked savoury snacks and sweet treats tantalise the tastebuds.
The best way to get to Thonburi train market is to take a taxi or to hop on a Chaophraya Express Boat which will take you to Wang Lung Pier.
From the pier it’s an easy 1km walk to the station, or alternatively you can jump on one of the songtaews that regularly make the journey from the pier to the station.
The market is open every morning and afternoon, but it’s best to get there early to experience the real busy atmosphere.
Maeklong Railway Market
Right on the rails of an active train track, the vendors at Maeklong Railway Market rush to haul their wares out of the path of the oncoming trains.
Their brightly coloured stalls are specially designed like umbrellas to be folded up quickly and then replaced with ease as soon as the train has passed.
About an hour’s journey to the south west of Bangkok, Maeklong Railway Market can be reached either by taxi or by train from Bangkok’s Wongwian Yai Station.
Alternatively this market features on the itinerary of many organised tours, or you can take a bus from Mo Chit station or the Southern Bus Terminal which takes around 90 minutes.
This is a truly traditional Thai market which sprawls 100 metres along the train tracks.
Fresh local produce can be bought here, including seafood, fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, dried goods, spices, and snacks.
The real attraction of this market though is the chaos each time a train approaches — it certainly makes for some excellent photo opportunities!
Take a look at this:
Trains pass through 4 times a day from 8:30 am to 5:40 pm. Maeklong Railway Market is open daily from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Which is your favourite Bangkok train market?
.jpg){kind=link}