‘Original version of online shopping’: Netizens in awe of Thailand’s unusual food market set on railway tracks

Rom Hup Market is located in Mae Klong railway line in Thailand.

A total of eight trains pass through the unique market every day.

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‘Original version of online shopping’: Netizens in awe of Thailand’s unusual food market set on railway tracks

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A railway track that actively sees multiple trains every day, sounds like an unlikely place to hold a food market. However, Thailand’s Rom Hup Market is set exactly over railway tracks and has become a popular tourist destination. The unusual food market sits on top of the railway tracks of the Mae Klong railway line.

As per Thailand tourism’s website, the market is spread over a 100-metre stretch and is open from 6 am to 6 pm. The market’s unique operating conditions are such that before the train passes through the market, a warning bell is raised. This prompts shopkeepers to halt their specially designed overhead tents and move their goods away from the tracks.

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The vendors then bring back their goods and people start moving on the tracks as per usual after the train passes. A total of eight trains pass through the market every day. This back-and-forth arrangement has given the market its local name: Siang Tai (life-risking) Market.

Maeklong Railway Market, Thailand 🇹🇭 a marketplace with a railway track through it 🛒@RebeccaH2030

pic.twitter.com/MDR3CkK6EL

— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) January 23, 2023

Over the years, this unique market has become famous among tourists. On Monday, former Norwegian diplomat Erik Solheim shared a video from Talat Rom Hoop that showed a train closely passing near the shops of fresh produce that were laid mere inches from the moving train. In the video, the vendors seemed nonchalant about the passing train.

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Commenting on this video, a Twitter user wrote, “Not sure I would buy that produce/edibles so close to the tracks, seems uncaring selling & feeding to another. Makes sense some laws that are in place. #OneLove💗”. Another person wrote, “This is original version of online shopping. 😇”.

First published on: 24-01-2023 at 18:12 IST