Gallery: Bangkok's newest retro lovers' hangout, the weekend Train Market

Roaming reporter · Senior Member

A Bangkok market has grabbed the attention of the city's hipsters, retro freaks and antique hunters -- Talad Rot Fai.

"Talad" means market and "Rot Fai" means train in Thai, an apt name for a market set beside an old set of train tracks topped with abandoned, rusty coaches open for exploration.

Set up by antique lovers Thanayut 'Troy' and Khun Phirot, the market runs every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to midnight and sits on land owned by the State Railway of Thailand.

Troy says he moved Rod's, his restaurant/bar/antique shop, there in July last year from its location next to the Chatujak Weekend Market, then invited city vendors to come sell their wares as well.

"In the beginning, I just wanted to rent the warehouse from the Railway Ministry to sell my antiques," he says. "But since there was so much space I talked with my business partner and we decided to invite people to come sell their stuff for free the first couple of months.

"The third month they started to pay. Funny enough, when it was free, not many people came. When I started to ask the vendors for money, people rushed in to sell and it quickly grew in popularity."

At the entrance to the market is Troy's bar/restaurant, Rod's, open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m on Saturday and Sunday. The antique warehouse is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and till late on Saturday/Sunday.

"I am grateful to the State Railway for their help in bringing in the old bogeys," says Troy, who asked them for some discarded train cars to give the market a unique ambiance. Visitors to the market are allowed to go on the old coaches, the perfect spot to sit back with a beer and watch the action.

Vendors are welcome to sell anything but most offer retro items like used clothes, shoes, toys, dishes and home decor. The market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to midnight, though the action really doesn't pick up till around 7 p.m.

Throughout the market are modified VW vans out of which vendors serve ****tails, snacks and beer.

Very similar to Bangkok's now-famous Ratchada weekend night market, Talad Rot Fai focuses on used items like old bar signs, records, books and decor.

There are classic cars and bikes for sale at the Train Market, as well as old parts and auto accessories.

One of many vendors selling new and used toys, some of which date back to the 1980s. My Little Pony bring back any memories?

Do you think she's road worthy? One of Rod's many antique toys.

Just what every little girl needs. A creepy doll with a blonde afro from the 1970s.

Rod's massive antique warehouse next to the Rot Fai Market is filled with everything from classic cars and motorbikes to Chinese and Thai antiques and retro furniture.

"Funny enough, when it was free, not many people came," says Troy, seen here sitting inside his rented warehouse. "When I started to ask vendors for money, people rushed in to sell and it quickly grew in popularity."

Train Market co-founder Troy says the State Railway promised he could rent the land for at least three years.

The Rot Fai Market has been given the nick name "Talad Dek Naew," a term for Thai youth who love to dress like hipsters and wear retro clothes.

Don't be confused with Rot Fai Park. This market is also within walking distance of Chatujak Market but in an entirely different direction.

The Train Market is filled with vendors serving Thai cuisine, as well as a few Muslim and Indian dishes.

To get to the Talad Rot Fai, take the MRT to Kampaeng Phet Station. Get out at exit 3 (Or Tor Gor Market) then cross the road and walk about 450 meters west on Kampaeng Phet Road, away from Chatujak Market.