The Maeklong Railway is railway that runs for nearly 65 kilometres between Wongwian Yai, Bangkok, and Samut Songkhram in central Thailand.
The railway became famous for its route through the Maeklong Railway Market, nicknamed Talat Rom Hup, meaning the “umbrella pulldown market”. It is centred on the Maeklong Railway’s track. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shop fronts are moved back from the rails, to be replaced once the train has passed.
Mae Klong railway market (Talat Rom Hup) is a local market in Samut Songkhram Province, commonly called Siang Tai (life-risking) Market. It is considered one of amazing-Thailand attractions in the province. Spreading over a 100-metre length, the market is located by the railway near Mae Klong Railway Station, Mueng District, Samut Songkhram Province. It is a common fresh market selling seafood, vegetable, fruits, fresh and dried food, meats and other miscellaneous goods. Mae Klong Railway Market is open from 6.00 a.m. -6.00 p.m. The market is called life-risking market because its stalls are attached to the Mae Klong-Ban Laem railway, which is a short railway line running from and to Mahachai and Mae Klong. Vendors at the market put out parasols or canvas to protect themselves against the sun. The shelters stick into the railway where visitors walk and do their shopping. When each signal of the arriving train rings, chaos happens: vendors will rush to close their parasols and canvas, along with clearing all goods that will obstruct the coming train at a great speed. Once the train passes, parasols and canvas will be reopened as goods are again put into their usual place next to the railroad. The market, accordingly, is so called Rom Hup (umbrella/parasol-closing) Market. The practice is usual for vendors and local people, but not for tourists who will definitely find the scene exciting and enjoyable at each visit. The parasol-closing event happens eight times per day according to the time that trains leave Mahachai for Mae Klong and depart Mae Klong for Mahachai. Trains will arrive at Mae Klong Station at 8.30 a.m., 11.10 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 5.40 p.m., and depart the station at 6.20 a.m., 9.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.
Near Maeklong Railway Market, there are 3 more must visit attractions: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Wat Bang Kung and Amphawa Floating Market, which are included in this package.
In the past, daily commerce in Thailand was conducted mostly along rivers and canals (or khlongs in Thai). Bangkok’s water network was busy and served as the principal means of communication causing Bangkok to be called as the “Venice of the East” by early European visitors.
Damnoen saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi is one of the most popular floating markets in Thailand. Every day many Thai and foreign tourists travel here to shop, eat, and absorb the atmosphere of Thailand water markets that have been like this for over a 100 years. Klong Damnoen Saduak Damnoen Saduak is the straightest and longest canal in Thailand. The canal was built on royal initiative as King Rama IV of Thailand wanted to link the Mae Klong River with Chinese river ways to support transportation and trade. It took over 2 years to dig, and was eventually finished under the reign of his successor King Rama V. The canal is 32 kilometers long and has more than 200 branches. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market’s popularity grew to new heights in 1971-1973 when the river was full of farmers on their boats selling their wares. And that is the way trade is performed in this area until todays.
Wat Bang Kung is located in the same area as the Bang Kung Camp, on the opposite side and separated by a road. Within the temple, there is an old ordination hall which houses a large sculptured Buddha image commonly called by villagers as Luangpho Bot Noi. Mural paintings from the late Ayutthaya period depict Lord Buddha while he was sitting in the niche and preaching, flanked by the disciples in paying respect to him.
It is an afternoon Floating Market by the Canal near Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram . On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during 12.00 a.m.-8.00 p.m., the Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with Food and drinks, such as fried sea mussel, noodles, coffee, O-liang (iced black coffee), sweets, etc
Ref: Tourism Authority of Thailand and Wikipedia
