Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak floating market @ Bangkok

Of the tons of trips paid to Bangkok, none of which was spent sight seeing and doing all the touristy bits except eating and massage and of course, shopping. I found a decently priced offer online for a day trip out of Bangkok to visit the Maeklong Station, Railway market and Damnoen Saduak floating market. 

Off we went for a day without the hardcore shopping we put ourselves through. The station is still in operation and there are at least five trains passing through this station daily. The draw of the station is more than just the train itself - read on to find out more!



On the spot coffee for those in need of a caffeine kick after a long train ride.



Thought just 25 THB and considerably pricey for a place on the outskirts of Bangkok, it was a lethal jolt of caffeine.



A walk down memory lane with pictures showcasing trains passing through the stalls. We witnessed it later with our own eyes how nifty the shopowners are in keeping and putting out their wares. Quite a spectacle to witness!





Some food stalls for quick bites available at the railway station.



The well trodden paths. The railway market spans kilometres, at least long enough for us to walk a decent distance. It pretty much goes in two directions - though tourists tend to jumble up the direction paths and we end up jostling with each other.

 

Fishes strewn in baskets for free manhandling.



Neatly tucket fish snug in steamers.



Buckets of spices.



Granny underwear in its full glory.



The chunks of meat was not scary, it had to be the smell from the raw meat that made it almost suffocating.



Hi granny!



Another hawker down the market trail.



I found favour in these glass bottled soya bean milk.



We stumbled upon a noodle store that was selling wanton mee like hotcakes.



Opted for their version of kuay chap instead, a really sweet based noodle dish with kuay teow rolls instead of noodles.



Comes with a complimentary side of raw bean sprouts and condiments like chilli powder, sugar and pepper.



We chanced upon an oyster egg seller - but what caught our attention more was her colourful headgear and getup.



Pink eggs spotted!



And then green ones.



Since it was Valentine's Day when we visited, flowers were all over. Single roses seemed to be the favoured number.



Looking somewhat outlandish with the clashing coloured crepe paper.




Alphabat chocolates are the way to go this Valentine's in Bangkok.




We heard the sirens and quickly made our way near the tracks for that magical shot.

We continued our trek around the railway station and then I whipped out my camera of a snap of the oncoming train - I expected a fast speed train breezing through the stalls and then overturning everything - turned out completely the opposite.

Tourists all rushed to the tracks for a snap - regardless how dangerous that sounded.



And there before my very eyes, the train whisked past the stall I was standing at, missing the apples by inches and I saw that random sprinkle of oil spilling out of the engines.

Just too gross to imagine what else happened to the raw food.



The intruder.

It is a sight to behold, with a rickety train that has so many tourists scrambling up just for a picture. We then made our way to Damnoen Saduak floating market. There are number of floating markets in Bangkok: Taling Chan Market, Bang Ku Wiang Market, Tha Kha, and Damnoen Saduak.

According to Wiki, Damnoen Saduak is the name of the canal dug in the reign of King Rama IV. He had the canal dug to connect the Taachin River in Samutsakorn Province and Maklong River in Samutsongkram Province together.
Nowadays, most people live densely along both sides of the canal from one end of the canal to another. They grow different kinds of fruit and vegetable. Apart from providing transportation, Damnoen Saduak Canal also provides farmers with adequate water for agricultural purposes for the whole year around.

This should be the real floating market, how authentic I am not sure judging from the number of tourists that flock there. At least I am sure that this is more authentic than the one at Chao Praya River that I was duped into going years back. 



Down the canel we went. Not my idea of Venice of the East entirely, since the focus was more on maintaining my balance and hopefully not fall into the waters.



Crowded as we were on water, the people on the ground were also shovelling in the crowds.



Above the murky waters, tons of boats are selling souvenirs and food. I did not spot any locals nearby.



Fancy a mini floating boat anyone?



Food thrown away carelessly into the river.




This granny looks so well prepared for the sun and heat.



The wide variety of food available on these floating boats but eat at your own risk.



My case in point - how hygenic would the food be?



And a food snap to end off this entry. I wish so much to tuck into a bowl of piping hot noodle but in more hygenic conditions perhaps.

It is worth a visit before it gets as touristy as Asiatique gets.