Norman's Blog: The Train Market at Maeklong

The Train Market at Maeklong

We were picked up from our hotel and driven out of the city centre to a small local station. Some tourists take the train the whole way which is also the cheapest option but we took a short cut to save time by driving to a rural station a few stops short of our destination, the Train Market at Maeklong. A view back along the tracks.

This is the railway station and hopefully the train stops in just the right place, otherwise it can be a big step for some people.

But there are facilities even at this rural stop with a covered area to protect passengers from the sun and rain. There are rubbish bins (overflowing) and a time table (so weathered that you can't read it).

The approaching train.

A view alongthe pltform with people walking towards the steps to board the train.

It is a flat agricultural area next to an estuary and the sea. In the dry season, these are salt pans to evaporate sea water to retrieve the salt. It was the rainy season and salt production halts until drier and sunnier weather returns. The day was just hot and humid without even the slightest of breeze.

Salt flats and a distant temple.

We entered the town and passed over a level crossing.

This is where the train market begins. Now we were travelling at walking speed passing crowds and market stalls with just centimetres to spare.

More views out of the window at the market...

...and it is a tight squeeze.

The end of the line. The train was late so we only had minutes before it was due to set off on its return journey back through the market.

A view down the market...

...with tracks down the centre and awnings to protect shoppers from rain and sun. Stall holders spread their wares right down to the line, as close as they dare.

Another view done the market.

There was an announcement and some frantic activity by stall holders to pull back awnings and remove any goods on show but in the way of the train. Then a few blasts on the whistle and the train set off.

Now I was in the market with the train passing all the stalls and the tourists with very little room to spare.

Te train had hardly passed and the awnings were being put back in place.

I hadn't moved and life was getting back to normal for a train market. This happens several times a day as there are eight trains a day, two trains in the morning, and two in the afternoon, each going to the terminus and returning. This event has been occurring since the line was built but it has only become a tourist attraction in the last decade. Tours are timed to coincide with train movements. Outside of these times, it is just an ordinary busy local market.

The very end of the line. Beyond it is a river esplanade and a ferry to cross the river.

A traditional thatched roofed building on stilts at the end of the line.

After the train market, we drove to the Floating Market. As its name implies, there are a lot of stall holders selling their wares from boats. Longtail boats take visitors around the market.

A longtail boat going past. The floating market was featured in the James Bond film, the Man with the Golden Gun.

It was a busy place with tourist boats nudging past each other in the central channel and some boats stopped next to sellers negotiating a deal. Apparently, all the prices are inflated and sellers expect you to haggle. Personally I don't have time to haggle and don't want more tourist bric-a-brac to carry around and to gather dust when I get home. I kept my hands firmly in my pockets. I would rather spend my time seeing different things than haggling over a tourist trinket.