Americana in Thailand: Rot Fai Train Market

http://srowe.smugmug.com/Travel/Bangkok-Views/i-vpK9g9m/0/S/IMG_3022-S.jpg On Sunday night I headed to the other side of Bangkok to find the fabled Train Market. I've heard so many people talk about the new market near the JJ / Chatuchak Weekend Market that's been around for only a short time. It's the new hipster retro market where all the cool kids go to find action heroes from the 80's, Furby dolls (which seem to have made a comeback now that there is a smartphone App so you can control them on your iPhone or Android) and 1960's era Americana stuff including retro furniture.

It's called the train market because it's located on State Railway of Thailand grounds. It's only open on weekends and runs late into the evening. (Advertised time 4pm-midnight) Conveniently close to the famous JJ weekend market, if you're there and haven't had your fill you can head a couple of blocks away and be there in no time. The easiest way to get there is by MRT to Kampaeng Phet Station and walk south (or follow the people if its early evening) it's also a short distance from the Saphan Khwai BTS station.

While the theme is retro, including themed cafe's, and the mandatory converted VW combi's for drinks and food stalls that you can find at any Thai market, this one has the old school vibe to keep it interesting. With things that are very Thai such as a Santa Claus statue guarding the coffee shop.

There is even a little bit of Thai retro intermingled with the American Pop culture. This kid and his father were playing a video game system I've never even seen before. It was called the FR 102. After getting home and looking it up, the best I can tell it's a Thai made "Nintendo famicom clone." You can see a link to a commercial for it here. The game the kid was playing was called "Super 66"

It's good to know that the late night market scene in Bangkok is alive and well and there is somewhere to spend your spare satang if the Chatuchak Weekend Market didn't get all of them earlier in the day. Or if you're looking for something a little different from the Saphan Phut night market

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