The famous train market of Mae Klong
THAILAND | Sunday, 20 September 2009 | Views [231]
On the wall of my son's bedroom is a large photo spread from the Guardian newspaper of a remarkable market in Thailand that operates around and along a short but fully operational stretch of track. I have never been but will seek this out next time I'm up in Thailand.
The market, known locally as Mae Klong, is in the Thai province of Samut Songkhram, about 70 km southwest of Bangkok and eight times daily, a two-carriage train runs right through sending experienced vendors scurrying to move their wares ... before business resumes as though this is all perfectly normal. With the train gone, it’s straight back down to the business of buying and selling.
Thai markets of any description are always a fascinating experience but here there is an extraordinary ingenuity of design and almost insanely economical use of space – a rare commodity in Thailand’s tiniest province.
I was reminded of a wonderful night market we stumbled upon many years ago: when we returned the next day all there was was a dusty and dreary car park. The stark contrast was almost shocking.
Compared to the wonderful natural resource in the form of the most beautiful harbour on earth that we have here in Sydney, an opportunity squandered through a wasteful lack of imagination, the people of Asia know how to be extraordinarily ingenious and resourceful with what little they have.
Tags: thailand, train, market, design, ingenuity, people
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