Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
WAT TRAIMIT (GOLDEN BUDDHA)
See
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BUDDHIST TEMPLE
TALAT MAI
MARKET
(Soi Charoen Krung 16 (Trok Itsaranuphap), Soi 6, Th Yaowarat; 6am-6pm; Tha Ratchawong, Hua
Lamphong exit 1 & taxi)
With nearly two centuries of commerce under its belt, 'New Market' is
no longer an entirely accurate name for this strip of commerce. Regardless, this is
Bangkok's, if not Thailand's, most Chinese market, and the dried goods, seasonings, spices
and sauces will be familiar to anyone who's ever spent time in China. Yet even if you're
not interested in food, the hectic atmosphere (be on guard for the motorcycles that squeeze
between shoppers) and exotic sights and smells culminate in something of a surreal sensory
experience.
While much of the market centres on cooking ingredients, the section north of Th Char-
oen Krung (equivalent to Soi 21, Th Charoen Krung) is known for selling incense, paper
effigies and ceremonial sweets - the essential elements of a traditional Chinese funeral.
TALAT NOI
( 7am-7pm; Tha Marine Department)
This microcosm of soi life is named after a small
(nóy)
market (
đa
̀
·la
̀
ht
) that sets up between Soi 22 and Soi 20, off Th Charoen Krung. Wander-
ing here you'll find streamlike soi turning in on themselves, weaving through people's liv-
ing rooms, noodle shops and grease-stained machine shops. Opposite the River View Gues-
oldest Chinese shrines, and is guarded by a playful rooftop terracotta dragon; it's one of the
best places to come during the yearly Vegetarian Festival.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
PHAHURAT
(Th Chakraphet; 9am-5pm; Tha Saphan Phut, Memorial Bridge)
Heaps of South Asian traders set up
shop in this small but bustling Little India, where every-thing from Bollywood movies to
bindis is sold by enthusiastic, small-time traders.
The emphasis is on cloth, and Phahurat proffers boisterously coloured textiles, traditional
Thai dance costumes, tiaras, sequins, wigs and other accessories to make you look like a
NEIGHBOURHOOD
