Maeklong is an extreme market situated directly above lively railway tracks in Thailand. In this case, the station’s siren acts as a every day warning sign that forces all business activities to stop immediately.
Within seconds, vendors quickly fold up their umbrellas and move their stalls away from the train’s path. Then an enormous iron locomotive passes by, cutting through the gang just inches away from the fresh fruit.
80 kilometers from Bangkok
Maeklong Railway Market is situated in Samut Songkhram Province, roughly 80 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. The entire section stretches for 100 meters and takes advantage of the narrow space along the tracks resulting in Maeklong Station.
During opening hours, vendors start establishing their stands early within the morning, around 06:00. This every day rhythm of labor repeats itself consistently until the market finally closes around 5 p.m.
Behind Maeklong Railway Market
Many people wrongly assume that this dangerous market was deliberately built to draw foreign tourists. In fact, the local merchant community was lively here long before the railway was built.
When construction of the railway began in 1905, sellers strongly opposed being evicted from their ancestral lands. Since no other solution was found, the federal government and suppliers finally agreed to stagger space sharing.
Local Thais know this place as Talad Rom Hub, which suggests “folding umbrella market” within the local language.
The name perfectly reflects the speed of the vendors who fold their protective awnings each time a train passes by. As soon because the last wagon leaves the realm, they reopen their umbrellas and resume operations.
This historic compromise creates a highly disciplined exercise program that’s repeated eight times a day. Every time a train arrives, vendors have lower than three minutes to completely clear the tracks.
This lightning-fast choreography requires absolute concentration to forestall the products from being crushed by the iron wheels. Interestingly, there isn’t any panic in any respect because this routine is a seamless a part of their lives.
Custom wheeled stalls built to maneuver
Vendor stands have been designed with extreme practicality and native innovation. The display tables were specially modified by attaching small wheels to the underside.
This intelligent design allows heavy boxes to slip forwards and backwards along the tracks with minimal effort. Fruit and vegetable display baskets are also flexibly constructed in order that they will be pulled out in a single move.
Why the train never crushes produce
There is one other unique sight that usually leaves international tourists completely surprised once they watch a train pass by. Some sellers deliberately select not to hold vegetables laid flat on the bottom.
The height of the display tables is fastidiously chosen to match the lower clearance of the train. As a result, the huge train safely passes over the vegetables without touching them in any respect.
Train travel on the Mae Klong Line is strictly regulated and runs at a really slow pace. The locomotive intentionally crawls at a low speed to make sure the protection of all vendors and visitors.
The train passes a complete of 4 times for arrivals and 4 times for departures. This perfectly timed arrival time keeps the every day rhythm of market life well organized.
Before you visit
Seeing the unique uniqueness of this market in person will certainly make for an unforgettable travel experience. If you might be planning a visit, all the time remember to remain closely behind protected lines.
Never stand in the course of lively tracks to take a fast selfie when a train is close. Always respect and follow direct instructions from station officers and native vendors on site.
