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The “NEW” Train Night Market: Ratchada

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Also known as New Rod Fai Train Night Market Ratchada, Train Market, Rot Fai Ratchada, New Rot Fai (and various combinations of those words). Why is this important to know? Well, there is another Rot Fai Train Market (on Srinakarin Street near Seacon Square) that is still in operation. My post about that is HERE and the directions on how to get there is HERE.

What’s the difference other than location? The Ratchada one has more bars (some two storey ones too) making it a bit more lively and the Srinakarin one has more vintage stuff. Both have a really good selection of food and the usual clothing / accessories shops. Ratchada’s premises is also way more crowded due to the tour groups, which are mainly Chinese from what I’ve seen/heard, the two times I’ve been there. Having said that, the main crowded area is only the entrance where the market’s signage is because that’s where the meeting point for the tour groups are, as well as the selfie point for all the other visitors. Once you get past that crowd in that area, it’s not so bad inside. You won’t have the run of the place nor will you herded around. It may get a bit squeezy in the shopping rows if some people wearing backpacks stop to shop.

While not as big as Chatuchak it’s still pretty big. Actually both Rot Fai Train Night Markets are big and spacious. A lot less narrow than Chatuchak (especially the inner covered areas). I like the layout of Rot Fai Ratchada the best, nice and straight rows of shops, making it pretty hard to get lost in there, even for me (I got turned around at both Chatuchak and Rot Fai Srinakarin), haha.

Although I wanted to have dinner at Bangcroc (first choice) to try the croc meat dishes or the seafood (2nd choice), I lost the vote 2-1 on both venues/dishes. We had ribs instead which was pretty good, tourist prices but not that exorbitant. We didn’t dine in the bar zone because my youngest wasn’t old enough, lol. Speaking of drinks, according to my kids there’s some interesting bubble tea flavors goin on at this night market.

The one thing my daughters liked most at this Rot Fai Train Night Market was the local artisans peddling their goods. For example, hand made, animal shaped, clay earrings that look like they’re biting your earlobe when you wear them. We hadn’t seen these anywhere else and found them quite “cute”. I can’t remember what the deal was and how much I eventually had to fork out (hard for me to resist cool looking local art especially when my kids ask for it), that’s how I ended up with orcas and sharks (my kids picked them for me to fulfill the deal), I was looking at something else already. Anyways, I bought a couple of sleeveless T-shirts from an artist (I like to support local talent whenever I can) and got an auto discount (I didn’t have to ask, when this happens I won’t bargain even though my Thai friends tell me I should). I even had a pleasant chat with the chap about Thai art and the local art scene!

Other shops we found were a couple of vintage shops and a toy shop (unboxed figurines) but I prefer the variety, quantity and quality of such items at Rot Fai Srinakarin.

I think both are pretty much the same (earring stall and embroidered sleeveless shop aside) on the new things. Rot Fai Train Night Market Srinakarin has a lot more vintage items whereas Rot Fai Ratchada has more bars that are actually in a separate section with age limit entry signs, making it more lively with the blaring music and the touting waitress’. Oh, if you’re looking for pets, the Srinakarin premises has more pet shops. That’s pretty much it, if you’re pressed for time and had to pick only one, I hope this posts helps you to decide. If you have time to visit both, why not? I think it’s worth it.

Thanks for viewing and best wishes!

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How to get to Rot Fai Night Train Market Ratchada

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Don’t confuse this Rot Fai Train Night Market with the other Rot Fai Train Night Market. This one is in the Ratchada area and just off of Ratchadaphisek Road close to the Thailand Cultural Center. This one is also known as the new Rot Fai Train Night Market. The other Rot Fai Train Night Market is on Srinakarin Street and behind Seacon Square (a shopping mall, my post about that HERE). Directions to Rot Fai Srinakarin is detailed in my post HERE.

To get to Ratchada Train Market by BTS train, you will need to get to the MRT Station named Thailand Cultural Center (Blue line). If you’re on the Sukhumvit BTS line (light green) you will need to change trains at Mo Chit station or Asok station depending on where you are on the Sukhumvit Line. If you’re on the Dark green line (Silom line) you will need to change trains at Silom Station.

After you get off the train at Thailand Cultural Center, find exit 3 and head that way. If you see a bunch of Chinese people standing in groups, most likely blocking the way, you’re heading in the right direction, haha. When you exit the station go left if you’re facing the street. Most likely you won’t have a chance to go anywhere else but with the flow of people. It’s ok, y’all are going to the same place.

On the off chance there isn’t a crowd when you exit the station, walk towards the Esplanade shopping mall in the same direction that the cars are going. Just before the Esplanade Mall is a road you’ll have to cross to get to the mall. Don’t cross it, instead turn left and follow the winding road. Don’t worry, it’s pretty short. DO worry if you have smaller kids because further up the road (near the entrance to Rot Fai Train Night Market) the sidewalk runs parallel to a big canal and there’s no guard rail between the sidewalk and the ditch. So please watch your kids especially when there are a bunch of tour groups jamming up the sidewalk. It’s only a short distance but better safe than sorry, right? The canal is in between the hedges and the pink building in the photo below.

Anyways, when you reach the sign in the photo at the top of the post, you’ve arrived. Turn left and weave your way through the tour groups (towards the buildings) and you’ll be at the start of the Rot Fai Ratchada Train Night Market. I’ve been there once at 6:30 pm on a weekday and the way was not crowded at all. Info on the market will be upcoming, stay tuned. . .

Have fun! Thanks for viewing and best wishes!

All the photos (unless otherwise noted in the post) were taken by me and are available for sale. If you’re interested in buying an image or three, 😃 please don’t hesitate to contact me for more details.

Consider following me for updates to find not only my other (usually travel) bloopers, blunders and shenanigans but also photography related news/reviews and the occasional contest entry. I might even post a rant or two when I just can’t help myself, haha.

PS. If you want to check out my other ‘works’, you can find them here:

Let’s hear about YOUR travel adventures. Click the banner to join me on Travel Feed !
Click here to read some awesome content on the TravelFeed platform