Oour first weekend in Bangkok, had us heading to our first Thailand Night Market – “The Train Night Market Ratchada aka Talad Rot Fai Ratchada”. Thailand Night Markets are amazing and we would frequent them often over the last 3 1/2 years.
The Train Night Market Ratchada WAS (See update on Market post pandemic at end of post) the “Must Do” night market located in Bangkok, Thailand. Pictures of its colorful tents can be found in almost every Bangkok To Do List. The Train market was famous for its lively atmosphere, wide variety of food and shopping options.
A unique feature of this market is its location on an old railway track. It also had a wide range of street food, shopping and semi permanent bars that had plenty of live music available, making it super reasonable to have a night out eating, drinking without breaking the bank.
Saturday Night Shoppers and Hungry Visitors of the Train Night Market. The crowds, the sights and smells of the market overwhelmed us at first.
Eating at a local night market in Thailand is something not to miss. Night markets are a cheap way to try a lot of local food. We found many of our favorite Thai dishes while eating our way through a Night Market.
The bars and live music at the Train Market was a unique attraction here. We took refuge from the crowds at the bars and enjoyed a few drinks and music before we called it a night.
WHAT IS A NIGHT MARKET?
TIPS EATING AT A NIGHT MARKET
We have eaten at all kinds of night markets around Thailand and have steered clear of getting sick. We follow two specific rules when eating at a market:
- Pick Stalls that are Busy. A busy stall means the food is not sitting around.
- Eat food that is cooked and hot. Seems strange to say this but you can find sushi and other undercooked food at a market.
- If you do end of eating something that makes your tummy upset; Charcoal Tablets (which can be found at 7/11), are a good thing to have on hand.
Bonus Tip: Always carry handy wipes / tissue in your pocket or bag. They come in handy at night markets.
Gorgeous Frozen Watermelon Drink
“Silly Thailand Toilet Signs”
A LITTLE HISTORY OF TALAD ROT FAI
Opened on January 8, 2015, the market was founded by Pirod Roikaew, a local businessman. Prior to the establishing of the Train Night Market Ratchada, Pirod was a vendor at the old Chatuchak Market. After the Old Chatuchak Market was taken for train construction, he invited his merchant cohorts to relocate too Ratchada. The rest is history, the Market was an huge hit and a must-visit for locals and tourist until the 2020 Pandemic hit and everything was closed for an extended period.
U pdate on The Train Night Market Ratchada – also known as “Talad Rot Fai“. It is said to have closed permanently in July 2021 (Pandemic related). Then there was news that it was not true. What I do know is the Train Market we visited when we arrived in Thailand in 2019 has now been changed or rebranded to the One Ratchada Market. We have not been so I cant report how it is. Since we travel back and forth often to Bangkok and stay close to this market we might just have to go check it out again.
Where you can find The One Ratchada Market (formerly known as Train Night Market Ratchada)
- Open every day from 4pm to midnight.
- Free admission.
- Address: The One Ratchada Market, Khwaeng Din Daeng, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400.
- Transport: MRT “Thailand Cultural Center” – Exit 3.
- Official website.
