Where would you find pristine vintage vehicles , unique one-offs and an amazing hippy atmosphere of yesteryear? Only at Talad Rod Fai. It’s meow-vellous.
When in Bangkok, visiting a weekend/night market is definitely on every lady’s – and man’s itinerary. The usual suspects would be Chatuchak, Asiatique and Patpong which have now become tourist meccas. For a more authentic experience, I would strongly recommend a visit to Talad Rod Fai (Rod Fai Market), also known as the Train Market. For now, it’s where the locals are, where there’s a welcoming hippy atmosphere and most of all, where you are likely to uncover a treasure at a great value.
Set up by antique enthusiasts Thanayut ‘Troy’ and Khun Phirot, the outdoor night market is a treasure trove featurring hundreds of vendors selling an incredible array of vintage collectibles, antique furniture, secondhand/modern fashion to all sorts of retro bric-a-brac. The weekend market is divided into three main sections, namely the ‘Market Zone’, ‘Warehouse Zone’ and ‘Rod’s Antiques’ . While you can find modern fashion typical of other markets at a lower price, it’s the unique one-off vintage pieces that you should keep a lookout for.
The original Rod Fai Market was location next to the train tracks (hence the name) behind Chatuchak Market. It was forced to move in 2013 to make way for the expansion of the BTS Skytrain line. After much difficulty, the market finally found a new home at Sri Nagarindra just behind Seacon Square Shopping Mall (a well-known local mall) just outside the city centre.
Look out for this landmark ship along the main road. Turn into the small road and you have reached Talad Rod Fai.
While it is primarily a weekend market, there are some cool restaurants, bars and shops in the sheltered area near the entrance that are open daily at night.
Spiderpig in a Hawaiian mood welcomes you to dinner
The live band is really quite good!
I am in love with these recycled cinema chairs
Upcycling is the word here, even for scooter seats.
The little doggies are sooo cute!
The Market Zone has more than 2,000 stalls selling products such as trendy fashion, children’s toys and homeware similar to what you would find at Chatuchak and other night markets, at a lower price (for now, since the crowd is mostly local).
If you are a vintage fashion lover, you would have found heaven.
The pieces were so cheap, I had to ask the stallowner twice about the price. I bought enough for the stallowner to ask “You selling in your country?” Oops.
If the shoe fits.
You will find stalls with their wares laid out on the ground, similar to how Rod Fai Market started years ago. This stall sells so many second shoes, and I spotted a pair of Converse, Doc Martens and Timberlands…
Drooling at the G-Shock watches
The only time you can get a man interested to shop :)
So many toys! And dirt cheap. This is a very dangerous place for a shopaholic lol.
Oooh, we spotted an adorable stall mascot. She is a diva and refuses to budge from the fan, but we forgive her cos’ she looks so cute.
When we say you can find almost anything here, we mean it. Even eyebrow threading and eyelash perming.
“I predict you will spend a fortune tonight.“
Yeah, I didn’t need a fortune teller to tell me that.
There were some interesting stalls selling plants and essential oils as well.
Fur kids are very welcome here too!
Have a try at the local street food as well, they are very affordable and make good supper bites. Just forget about the waistline for one night.
This, is where the treasure trove is.
Housed in this converted factory building, Rod’s Antiques is a collection of genuine antiques and vintage items in all imaginable forms sourced from all over the world – classic cars in pristine condition, steam engines, scooters, furniture and more. We were wowed away from Step One.
Fancy a 1950s Cadillac that looks like it came out of the factory a day ago? You have come to the right place.
I felt so excited seeing this old school petrol kiosk! Wowww…
I half-expected this car to start speaking to me. It looks so much like the one in the Cars movie.
Hello, baby.
Photography is welcome, but you are requested not to touch anything as the items are old and rare. Unless you are buying them.
What a cool fire engine truck for a kid. Why didn’t I have one of this when I was younger??
Train steam engines
Now I know what to do with my old bicycles. Do an ET scene and pray it doesn’t drop down.
Everything is a treasure here. Nothing is too broken to be forsaken. I should reserve a place for myself here soon.
Fancy some vintage furniture? We have chandeliers too!
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned…I overshopped once again :p
Was quite amazed to see this here, even this they have!
You can really find anything and everything here. Even a life-sized Elvis :D
Check out the makeshift bars with cheap cocktails just beside Rod’s Antiques
The bars are converted from vintage cars! How innovative. It’s definitely a cool place for a casual night out.
At the Warehouse Zone, you will find stores selling secondhand t-shirts, vintage furniture and all imaginable items. Most of these owners are vintage enthusiasts themselves, and you can share their passion from the sheer amount of rare items on display. The stores are friendly in general, and you are welcome to explore at leisure. It’s like a “Make Love, Not War” kinda atmosphere :)
Whoa. This would be a cool four-wheel drive to have.
Cool-looking stall owner ;)
Check out the abacus and cool swing chair. #want
They teach you principles in life here too.
This, is the treasure of treasures – how many of you have seen a kerosene-powered fan before? And it’s in working condition! Simply amazing.
Since email and Microsoft Word came about, the humble typewriter has been gradually forgotten. I still think it’s a sexy machine, with all the pounding and sliding action.
Now this is creepy.
And we are On Air…
Clever way to upcycle this TV box into a lamp.
You gotta be kidding me – even traffic lights?! LOL
If only the luggage can tell of its owners and journeys…
Was pretty tickled at this sight. The owner definitely has a sense of humour :)
Do make a trip down to Talad Rod Fai on your next trip to Bangkok. When the sun goes down, be prepared to be live it up :)
Talad Rod Fai
Address: Sri Nagarindra Soi 51, Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krungthep Mahanakorn 10250 (behind Seacon Square)
GPS: 13.691867,100.650171
Tel : 081-8275885, 086-1267787, 081-7328778, 081-7525588
Opening Hours: Thurs to Sun 5:00PM to 1:00AM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/taradrodfi
Website: www.rodsantique.com
Email: moowan78@gmail.com
Getting There
1) Take the BTS to On Nut station. Take a taxi to Talad Rod Fai (about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic). If your taxi doesn’t know Talad Rod Fai, tell them Seacon Square Shopping Mall – it’s just beside.
2)Take the Airport Rail Link line to Hua Mak station. Exit to street level, walk east about 200 metres to Sri Nagarindra. Cross the road and turn left. Take Bus 145, 182, 207 or 537 heading south. Ride for about 5 kilometres and look for Season Square Shopping Mall on the left. Get off in front of the mall. Face the mall and walk right towards Talad Rod Fai. For an easier life, just take a taxi from the train station.
Unless you are feeling adventurous, taking a taxi from the nearest train stations is highly recommended. Life’s too short to sweat over transport routes :)
