When I learned of a night market in another part of BKK I decided to visit. Travelling by a Baht Bus was part of the adventure. The buses got their name because 1 Baht, 3 cents, was the fare. Alas inflation has also hit bus fares and the ride cost 6 Baht. Being a big spender I paid the 18 cents and went for a no frills, all windows open, stick shift, bus ride, after negotiating two lanes of traffic to board (stop at the curb? why bother?). Liking to sight see I claimed a window seat to enjoy the street life streaming past...better than a video.
"Night market" was a misnomer. Night markets are pop ups on an open space; parking lot, sidewalk, street, etc., and they are set up for a few hours then taken down. This place had elements of a shopping mall, food court, theater district, amusement park with a large ferris wheel. and river promenade, all of which are permanent fixtures. Night markets are 'bargain basement' types of venues. This was upscale. It was interesting to see but not as fascinating as the bus ride.
The return bus trip wasn't as fun because I was on an air-conditioned bus for which the fare was 45 cents. The windows, all closed, were covered with a mesh to block the sun denying me a street view. It was also traffic jam time, at one time we stood for 30 minutes without moving.
So that's a bit about life in "The Venice Of The East."
Takk for alt,
Al
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| Baht Bus |
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| Inside a Baht Bus |
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| The name of the 'not night market' |
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| Sunset over the Chao Phraya River |
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| The name of the 'not night market' |
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| Front of Asiatique |
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