Klong Toey Market in Bangkok
Klong Toey is a fabulous and fascinating wet market located right in the heart of Bangkok, so for those of you seeking a more adventurous path to the city, this is a great place to visit. This particular market is often over-looked as it's not quite down on any tourist map and it's also not mentioned in many travel guide books. As a result, very few tourists know about the market and even fewer tourists are brave enough to venture into the elaborate perplexity that this immensely vibrant and bustling market tends to propagate. Once you feel you have the courage to overcome the all too unfamiliar and sometimes unpleasant smells permeating the air, you may even come to relish the place. It could very easily grow on you too. Klong Toey is essentially a traditional Thai market in it's entirety. This is where the locals shop for their fresh produce whether it be fish, meat, vegetables or fruit. Not only do they come here because of the freshness of it's produce but also because of the relatively inexpensive prices you get for good quality food. You might even find chefs from the most luxurious hotels in town, coming here to purchase fresh ingredients for their guests next meal. They regularly go to these markets because this is where they'll find everything they need. It's an extremely busy market with countless stalls and shoppers. So much so that there is almost no space to amble through the quarters. You'll need to watch your step though. Even though the market caters mainly for locals, tourists are more than welcome. Be prepared for the odd stare or two you may receive. Despite the poverty and hardship the inhabitants endure here, they always seem to have the time to give you a smile and a few kind words. It is here where you'll meet the real Thailand. It's certainly worth a visit should you have more than just a few days in Bangkok.
Tuk Tuk Driver waiting for his Customer
Klong Toey Wet MarketA Unique Side to Thai LifeAt Klong Toey there's a good chance you'll witness a contrasting perspective into the lifestyle in which many of Thailand's poor live. It's a glimpse into a distinctly diverse cultural shock, nevertheless a very real one. I urge you to go sample the delights if you have the time. There are numerous simple eateries serving Thai curries and other local staples should you get hungry while you wander around.No other market in Bangkok is quiet as charming and charismatic as this one is. The market offers a fresh look at what's on offer from low-priced farm fresh produce, raw meat and seafood. There is also loads of other stuff on offer including all the usual suspects such as clothing and various household goods. The market is kinda like an old-world village set deep within the concrete jungle of Bangkok. It's tucked away and almost half-hidden within a grimy city block that's practically unnoticeable from the busy Rama IV Road where it's located. The old city trading port of Khlong Toei is nearby as is the Chao Phraya River. It's an all day, every day affair with an extraordinary life of it's own. The market has a pleasant and unexpected laid-back ambiance with some sections extremely lively albeit a little on the grubby side. Other than that it's the oldest and largest slum area of Bangkok with it's origins dating back some fifty years if not more. The slum communities here are made up of some 100,000 inhabitants of which the majority are rural migrants from Northeast Thailand. Though they came to Bangkok seeking jobs, they constantly face eviction threats from authorities because of having no legal rights to the land on which they currently occupy.
Over-Crowded Shopping Lane
Return from Klong Toey Market to the Bangkok Markets Page
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