Come Along [3] - The Most Dangerous Market in Thailand

“Do you want to go to the most dangerous market in Thailand?”

When I heard this I quickly responded.

“No!! I don’t want to risk my life and die to see a dangerous market! Though very tempting. Lets just go to the normal ones...maybe only a little dangerous”

That was how my day started. I was out venturing with my buddy Josh who was showing me around the country. He spends half of each year in Thailand and picked up the language which was pretty awesome, because it was like having a guide that drinks with you. I didn’t have any itinerary so I was pretty much going anywhere that was recommended, following like a cat and just soaking it in. It was very serendipitous, eating random street food and making plans day by day as we moved along.

My local friend Sid offered to scoop us up and take us to see one of Thailand’s famous floating markets. He knew that was on my list. To fill out the schedule a little more he planned to take us to get some lunch and the most “dangerous market.”

We went to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is the most popular one near Bangkok. Though it is catered to tourist and not the most authentic, it does gives you a classic floating market experience. The market was a few hours drive south of Bangkok so it would be difficult to see without being on a tour or having a car. Sid negotiated a small boat for us to float around through the market. It was really fun he was constantly buying interesting fruit and food for us to try. One was particularly sour, so sour that after biting into its our face would scrunch up from the tartness but he seemed to really enjoy it. Floating down I saw so many little knick knacks that I wanted to buy but I restrained myself. Nothing better to stop you from buying things you don’t need than thinking about carrying it for 6 months. Every little souvenir I bought had to really be thought out and weighed for its importance. One of the yummiest things we had to eat was the young coconut ice cream. So delicious, if you’re ever in Thailand be sure to buy some.

Next it was time for the most dangerous market Maeklong Railway Market. I was really apprehensive about coming here when I heard that title, but Sid made me feel better and explained that it wasn’t dangerous as in violent, but dangerous because it was located right on top of an operating railroad track. Every hour a train would pass by and the shop keepers would have to close up their awnings and move their wares inward to make space for the train. Contrary to what I thought, the train actually passes by very slowly so there’s plenty of time to get out of the way. This market existed since before the train tracks were built and is now still used as a place for the locals to purchase their produce. Because of the novelty it has become quite the tourist attraction but still serves its original purpose.

I’m so glad Sid took us around otherwise I don’t think I would have ever seen the two markets. After all that suspense we were famished. We went to fill our bellies at a local seafood restaurant . To end they day Josh took me to one of his favorite spots in Chinatown. A very cool hidden restaurant deep in a tiny alleyway with amazing views of the water called Samsara Bar. We sat there, watched the boats sail by, talked about life as the sun slowly dipped behind the skyline. Perfect way to end an eventful day.