Salam all,
On our second day of the conference trip to Bangkok we planned to go to the most talked about train station, The Maeklong train station and Floating Market.
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| Songthaew: Google iamge |
We studied the map and route to both destinations well. Our research told us to catch the BTS to Victory Monument. Its a Siam transit station. We studied the map and route to both destinations well. Our research told us to catch the BTS to Victory Monument. Its a Siam transit station. The trip will cost us 42 Baht for a single trip. Upon disembarking, we need to get a minivan to go to the Maeklong Station which is about 70km away from the Saphan Thaksin Station. And from the train station we planned to take a public transport, the songthaew to the Amphawa Floating market. Its a long journey and we really hope its worth.
We planned, but Allah is always the best planner. We left the hotel very early in the morning so that we do not missed the morning train at the Maeklong Train station. We planned to take the river taxis (boats) from the public jetty next to the hotel. The boat is suppose to begin at 6.15 am and reach the jetty at 7am. We saw many boats passing by, but none stopped for us even though we waved and hailed for them. We were devastated and walk back to the hotel and greeted by a taxi driver. He kindly asked where we are going, and upon knowing our intentions, he suggested we took his taxi. He will drive us to the Maeklong Train station, wait for us, then to the floating market, wait for us and later send us back to Bangkok City. All together he is charging us 1200Baht. After doing some simple calculation, with 4 of us in the car, it will cost us 300Baht per person. For this price, we do not need to climb up and down all the public transports, just sit back and relax. We agreed to this and begin the on road travelling. It was an enjoyable trip. The taxi driver was very kind. Alhamdulillah ... he can speaks English which made the conversation interesting and also he was able to explain things as we passed by several interesting encounters.
What is so special about the market? It is an ordinary wet market. Selling all sorts of items for the local needs. However, the tradings are done on the railway line. This is what makes it special. At every scheduled time, the train will have to pass the railway line to reach the station. As the train approaches the area, the traders will quickly fold their shades leaving their goods remain on the track. They waited for the train to pass, unfold the shades and trading continues. When we arrived, the train is about to reach the train. We hurriedly walk towards the station just to see many people on standby to take the glimpse of the moment. Everybody positioned themselves at a best location to take the closer look of the event. Everybody are with cameras or video cams. We need to squeezed in a bit to be among them. People were so close to the track, the policeman had to keep on whistling to ask them to move backward. At the first glimpse of the train, everybody was already excited. The train passed by very slowly, the goods were saved on the track. As the train leaves the track, traders put the shades back on. The locals resume their trading.
We had the chance to see what was selling. Its mostly fruits and vegetables as well as the fishes, meats and poultry.
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