Markets are everywhere in Bangkok. There are flower markets, an amulet market, the huge Chatuchak market and a whole bunch of night markets.
We heard about the Rod Fai Train Market by chance. Shortly after we arrived in Bangkok, we were sitting in a café on a rainy day when the rain suddenly stopped in the evening.
Of course, we jumped up straight away and asked the owner which night market in Bangkok is the best. Thanks to his recommendation, we ended up at Rod Fai Markt and it was really worth it.
What is there at the Rod Fai Market?
The Rod Fai Market is a mixture of food market, clothing market and nightlife. The great thing is that this market is not designed for tourists.
Of course you will still meet one or the other Bangkok visitor here, but 95% of the time we saw locals there.
Clothes in the Rod Fai market
The clothes stands are surprisingly different. Instead of the ten thousandth Chang or Singha T-shirt, you will mainly find clothes by Thais for Thais here. Everything from boring to extremely hip can be found here.
The dress sizes are of course mostly tailored to Thai body measurements. So if you’re more of an XL wearer, it will be hard to find something. But it is still possible for M-wearers.
Eat at Rod Fai Market
The second part of the market is paved with food stalls. There is typical Thai street food here, but also one or the other unusual creation.
The street food part reminded us a bit of the Berlin street food markets, which are sprouting up there on every corner.
One of the booths actually had craft beer.
Devoured as we are, of course we snuck from stand to stand and tried everything. Great!
Nightlife at Rod Fai Market
In the back of the market you will find a lot of small bars. On two floors there are simply large shipping containers placed one above the other and next to each other and each container has a different bar.
Here there is the usual Thai drinks program again: Singha, Leo, Chang and cocktails. Since we were still a bit jet-lagged, we decided not to try the entire drinks menu and left it with a Singha.
When is Rod Fai Market open?
Rod Fai Market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. The market is closed on Monday.
How to get to Rod Fai Market?
It’s a bit tricky, we got lost quite a bit at the beginning and only found the right way with the help of a nice Thai woman.
The first part is easy: You take the MRT (Metro) to the “National Cultural Center” station. The MRT drives z. B. from Hualamphong train station or from BTS stations Si Lom and Sukhumvit.
When we arrived at the station, we purposely walked in the wrong direction. To be different, you have to walk south along the large, multi-lane road (Ratchadaphisek Road).
After about 200 meters you will see the Esplanade Shopping Center on the right. Behind it, turn right into a small street that leads you directly to the market. There is also a small sign on the street that indicates the market.
If you can’t find it, ask someone on the street about the Esplanade Shopping Center. Most of them know that, many Thais do not know the market themselves.
By the way, there is also a second Rod Fai Market in Bangkok, which is a bit older. However, it is further outside.
If you want to go there, take the BTS to the “On Nut” station and then continue by taxi from there.
This is a lot bigger than the Rod Fai market in the middle of the city and is probably already in many travel guides.
If you have enough time, you can look at both of them.
And why is the market now called the Train Market?
Rod Fai Market translates as Train Market. We didn’t see any railways there, however, and you won’t find any railways at the other Rod Fai Market either.
The name comes from the time when the market was still in its original location near Chatuchak Market, right on the railroad tracks. The store had to move in 2013 as an extension of the Skytrain line was being built on the site. Even if there are no longer any railways at the two new locations in the market, the name has remained.
