The Maeklong Railway Market is, in many ways, just like any other large market in Thailand. There is one big exception. It has a railway line, complete with train, running right through it.
Vendors display their good for sale, as close to the line as possible. Sometimes they may even place it in the middle of the track. However putting it in the middle of the track is now considered not polite as this is where the customers need to walk.
Many vendors now have their produce on trolleys which makes it quick and easy to pull the display back away from the line when the train approaches.
Produce on the ground very close to the rails.
Sometimes the produce is placed directly on the ground very close to the line. In this case vendors need to take care to make sure that the train can pass with safety and not destroy their produce as it passes.
Boxes buckets and pallets are also a common way for vendors to display their produce
When placed in buckets, boxes and baskets a little more effort is required to remove them when the train approaches.
Taking selfies is a popular way to pass the time
Shortly before the train arrives, the hordes of tourists arrive, not normally to shop, but to view the spectacle. And what did we all do before the invention of the selfie stick?
Phat, our tour guide, purchases some tickets for her and two of the guests that decided they would enjoy the ride to the next station
Some ride the train to the next station, just for the experience.
Boarding the train at Maeklong Railway Station
The train has blown its’ whistle and the final obstacles are removed from the path
The above YouTube video was compiled from footage taken on our tour in April 2016
Mobile vendor at Maeklong Railway Market
Immediately after the train passes through the markets, the stall holders reposition their produce and the tourists leave. The station then becomes virtually deserted.
The almost deserted Station at Maeklong Railway Market after the train leaves and the tourists follow
Getting To The Maeklong Railway Market
To make this easy, we have provided a Google Map below. Open this page on your mobile device, click view larger map and then choose navigate.