After spending some time at Chatuchak Weekend Market, I took the MRT (Bangkok’s subway) from Chatuchak to Thailand Cultural Centre station. I came here to visit — what was then — a increasingly popular night market.
I say ‘was’ because… look at the date I was there. Just two months later, COVID hit the world. Thailand’s tourism sector came to a halt. And for a city like Bangkok, that sees nearly 40 million(!) visitors annually, needless to say, the lack of tourists had a massive impact on the footfalls flowing into Bangkok’s popular night markets.
Now, the site in Ratchada district where Rot Fai 2 market used to be looks like this now:
That said, according to a video by Coconuts Bangkok, uploaded in August 2021, the Ratchada Night Market will make up a comeback… eventually. Unless a property developer is already eyeing the land for another luxury development in Bangkok
Rot Fai means ‘train’ in Thai. The night market used to be located by the train tracks in the Chatuchak area but later moved to the Ratchada district.
Anyway, if the Ratchada Rot Fai market does return to the same location, here’s how to get there and what the market offers.
Once you exit Thailand Cultural Centre MRT station, head towards a mall named Esplanade.
The Rot Fai night market is behind Esplanade
If you search for Rot Fai night market online or look it up on Instagram, you will most likely see a photo of an over head view of the colourful tents at the market. To get that iconic shot, you don’t need a drone.
We had our hotel book us a van taxi to take us to Phuket airport. Our Air Asia flight was at 10:35am, and even though the van taxi had to pick up other passengers, we all got to the airport on time. We didn’t have breakfast, so the Dunkin Donuts at the departures area was where we stopped first after checking-in and collecting our boarding passes.
It’s been a while since I flew Air AsiaThere weren’t any delays and the flight left on timeGoodbye sun and sandQuite an archipelago
One and half hours later, we were flying over Chiang Mai province
We landed on time, and ready and waiting for our arrival was the driver assigned to pick us up from Chiang Mai international airport. The driver was courtesy of Rux Thai, the hotel we were staying at. Rux Thai is where I first stayed at when I came to Chiang Mai in 2009, and again when I returned in 2010. Needless to say, I booked at Rux Thai a third time after I e-mailed them and got a good deal (฿500 per night) for a twin room on the ground floor for three nights. Continue reading “Thailand: Flying to Chiang Mai; views from Doi Suthep” »
After 4 splendid days in Chiang Mai (amid some disappointments), today I left the city to go further up north. I went to the main bus station and only managed to get a ticket for 12 noon as all others were sold out. (Don’t remember exactly how much I paid for the ticket, but it was around ฿100)
After the instructional video on bus safety, they played ‘Predators’ (in Thai)
I got a seat right in front
Chiang Rai city is around 200kms from Chiang MaiThe journey is quite scenic
After nearly 2 1/2hours, I arrived in Chiang Rai
The bus first stopped at what looked like a new bus station. I didn’t get down here because a lot of the Thais stayed in their seats. So I assumed this was not the final stop. Unfortunately some western tourists did get down and started hailing for taxis towards their hotels.
For which there was no need for, because the very same bus started again and drove straight into the city in 5 minutes time. This bus station was according my prior research, very close to the night market.
I hired a tuk-tuk and checked into my hotel.
Raungnakorn Hotel is located on the road of the same name
The room cost ฿350 for the night and I was only going to be staying one night. My flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok was the next day evening. I know one day isn’t much in Chiang Rai, but this was my first time here and as always with first visits, this would be more a surveillance visit than any other.
It was near this templeThe hotel is close to the fresh market
Spotted it already haven’t you?Chiang Rai’s Golden Clock TowerDesigned by a renowned Thai architect named Ajarn Chalermchai KhositphiphatIt was built in 2008 in honour of the King (as is usually the case in Thailand)
Jedyod road, you find a lot of restaurants here
I decided to check out this templeOh the irony of seeing a black cat at a place where people come to pray for good luckThe temple is named Wat JedyodThe eyes…The hall had paintings depicting Hindu gods and some connection with India mythologyI was very curious to know the connection, but unfortunately there weren’t any descriptions in English or a local guide in sight
I left the temple
I dropped by a few travel agents and tour operators along the way and asked them about day trips to the Golden Triangle. But because it was already late in the evening, nobody could assure me a spot as they needed few more tourists to fill up a group as tomorrow’s first group were already full.
A British guy who was behind, overheard me and told me he was in the same situation as I. So we chatted for a bit and exchanged numbers in case either of us managed to get into a group tour that was going tomorrow morning.
I like their sign posts
A few steps from there and I was at the entrance of Chiang Rai’s Night BazaarBut since it wasn’t night time yet, nothing was open
I would be coming back here for dinnerI decided to go the main bus station to find out when the first bus to Mae Sai would beI was told that there are buses every 30 minutes starting 6amI headed back as I still wasn’t feeling too well, and it gets pretty chilly in Chiang Rai at night
I rested for some time after applying some Vicks. I just didn’t want to fall sick. It’s the worst thing that can happen on one’s vacation. Well, one of the worst things.
I got up at around 8pm and craved to have some hot Thai soup for dinner.
I walked to the night bazaarThe Golden clock tower really shines at nightIt also changes colourYou have the usual wares being sold at the Night bazaar, no different from any other night market in ThailandBut you do see locals and a few students trying to make some dime with their talentsQuite a change of scene from earlierThis place sells you french fries…and fried insects. How nice of them!Despite being very far the sea, you still get good enough seafood in Chiang RaiPoor guitarist on stage was hardly getting any applause from the dinersI scanned the vendors for appetizing soup to warm my body upI ended up picking up this big bowl of tangy seafood soup loaded with veggies (cost ฿100)They had cultural dances later
Post dinner, I scanned the shops a bit. Unlike last year, when I bought 10 t-shirts from Thailand, I figured I wouldn’t need to buy much this time.
Alas, I ended buying two from a small vendor at the night bazaar after bargaining it down to ฿300 for both. Oh well, we’ll see how many t-shirts I end up buying this year.
This was right in front of the vendor I bought the t-shirts from
As I needed more rest for an early start tomorrow, I headed back. Plus, there was little else to do in Chiang Rai. There is barely any nightlife in Chiang Rai. It’s a lot quieter (and smaller) than Chiang Mai.
I took one last look at the Golden clock tower
As I was clicking this photo, I bumped into the same British guy I had met earlier at the travel office. He told me he met up with a group of people who were planning on going on a trek (Chiang Rai is famous for trekking and cycling) and asked me if I wanted to join them. I told him I was unfortunately not in the best of health and that I had to be back in town early enough for my evening flight to Bangkok.
We wished each other well and parted ways.
I reached my room, freshened up, dabbed some more Vicks and snuggled up for a good night’s sleep.
