Traders and shoppers have to watch their toes every time this train passes through the centre of a market – just inches from bowls of food and other goods for sale.
The Maeklong Railway in Thailand passes right through the middle of Hoop Rom Market in Samut Songkhram on its journey between Wongwian Yai and Bangkok in the centre of the Asian country prompting bemused reactions from tourists.
Mae Klong market is one of the country’s largest fresh fish markets and stallholders are quick to move their stalls and goods back from the line whenever a train passes, putting them back again once it has gone.
Retractable awnings are installed on those stalls closest to the tracks making the process of moving easier and giving the market its nickname of ‘The Folding Umbrella Market’.
A megaphone warns people the train is approaching with the train tooting its horn as it moves through the market to make sure the track is clear.
Somewhat surprisingly the market predates the railway, having been in operation since the 20th century, with the railway line simply being built through the middle of it and even used to transport goods to and from the stalls during its early days.
The train makes its 40-mile journey eight times a day and is one of the slowest in Thailand travelling at less than 30mph.
Hoop Rom Market stretches 100 metres and is one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions, opening from 6am to 6pm every day. On sale at the market are seafood, vegetables, fruits, fresh and dried food, meats and other miscellaneous goods.
Tourists who have previously visited say the market and accompanying railway line is worth a visit.
One Tripadvisor review read: “Definitely worthwhile to visit – please note that it is between one and two hours away from most hotels – the market is nice and is not only souvenirs and we had a nice lunch in the first restaurant at the track.
“It is certainly an interesting moment to see the train passing by very slowly but after that everything finished and most of the tourists disappear.”
The railway has been in operation since 1901 but has not always run through the market during that time.
It was taken into government control in 1926, which saw it become completely electrified, before falling under the control of the Thai military in 1942 during the Second World War.
By the 1950s the railway’s electrification was reversed and diesel and steam trains began running on the line again, but now the line is just served by diesel trains.
