If you’re yearning for a day’s trip to a vintage food market full of old wooden shophouses and mazes of alleyways selling a plethora of Thai food and desserts, then the Talad Baanmai Market (ตลาดบ้านใหม่) in sleepy Chachoengsao Province (จังหวัดฉะเชงเทรา) may be what you’re looking for.
Talad Baanmai Market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Located to the east of Bangkok, the provincial town of Chachoengsao, better known as ‘Muang Paed Rew’ (เมืองแปดริ้ว) is a sleepy town located along the large, serene Bangpakong (บางปะกง) River, the largest in east-central Thailand.
Chachoengsao provincial town, known locally as 'Muang Paed Rew', Thailand.
The Talad Baanmai Market (ตลาดบ้านใหม่) is lively place right beside the large Bangpakong River, and sells plenty of very traditional Thai treats amid the mazes of old, wooden shophouses.
Amazing view of Talad Baanmai Market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
The scenes at Talad Baanmai Market are truly reminiscent of how Thailand must have been like approximately 60 to 80 years ago.
Scene at Talad Baanmai Market reminiscent of 80 years ago, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Stalls in the Talad Baanmai Market sell a plethora of traditional Thai street foods, such as this one specializing in the ‘hoy tod’ (หอยทอด), a Thai-style crispy pan-fried mussel pancake normally enjoyed with the ‘Sri Racha’ hot chili sauce.
Thai-style crispy pan-fried mussel pancakes, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
This stall specializes in a special Thai crispy fried dumpling called the ‘Khanom Tung Tong’ (ขนมถุงทอง) which literally means ‘golden bag’. These crispy dumplings are typically enjoyed with sweet plum sauce.
Crispy-fried dumplings, known locally as 'Khanom Tung Tong', Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
This market is lined with old wooden shophouses selling plenty of tasty Thai street food, ranging from spicy curry stews, to chili pastes, to fried river fish.
Alleyway along Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao, Thailand.
For instance, this stall sells tasty Thai curry stews and fried salted snakefish (ปลาช่อนแดดเดียว) – all of which are perennial Thai favorites, especially in east-central Thailand.
Spicy curry stews and fried fish, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Want some Thai appetizers? Here are some very tasty, succulent steamed purple butterfly pea (อัญชัญ) flavored rice dumplings with sweet pork and peanut fillings.
Succulent purple butterly pea flavored rice dumplings, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao, Thailand.
This stall sells tasty duck stewed in soy sauce, cooked the traditional Chinese way.
Ducks stewed in soy broth, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
The Talad Baan Mai market sells everything amid the old wooden shophouses, from street food to Thai and Chinese desserts. Even local souvenirs are on offer.
Plethora of shops at Talad Baanmai market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Another perennially popular Thai appetizer is the purple butterly pea (อัญชัญ) flavored ‘Khao Krieb Pak Mor’ (ข้าวเกรียบปากหม้อ), which are steamed dumplings with sweet pork and peanut fillings wrapped in soft, thin, moist sheets of rice skin.
Khao Krieb Pak Mor, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Anyone care for some fresh mangoes? This stall sells fresh mangoes along with a special aromatic sweet and salty dipping sauce to go with them.
Fresh mangoes, Talad Baanmai Market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
What’s amazing about Talad Baanmai are the mazes of alleyways lined with wooden shophouse preserved from at least half a century ago, and one wouldn’t go hungry if you’re in this market. There are plenty food and desserts all along the way!
An alleyway in Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
As in all other markets, grilled meat balls, or ‘Luk Chin Ping’ (ลูกชิ้นปิ้ง), are a favorite here and several stalls offer the treat.
Grilled meatballs, or 'Luk Chin Ping' in Talat Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
This stall sells tasty Chinese oven-baked mooncakes with sweet savory fillings in a crispy, flaky pastry crust, known as ‘Khanom Piea’ (ขนมเปี๊ยะ), a very tasty treat for which Chachoengsao is well-known for.
Tasty Chinese mooncakes with sweet savory fillings in crispy pastry crust, at Talat Baanmai Market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Once in Talad Baan Mai, one realizes that food is never far away. The environment and the food makes one very nostalgic of how Thailand must have been like back in the 1930s!
Plenty of food in Talat Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Here’s , my very favorite traditional Thai dessert: sweet fermented rice, known as ‘khao mak’ (ข้าวหมาก). This very traditional Thai treat is fabulous when served chilled!!!
Sweet fermented rice, known as 'Khao Mak', a very refreshing traditional Thai dessert, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
The ‘Kraton Loi Kaew’ (กระท้อนลอยแก้ว) is another vintage Thai dessert rarely seen in Thai markets today, save for older places like Talad Baanmai. This dessert is made of slices of ‘Kraton’, which is a traditional Thai fruit, in an aromatic syrup.
Kraton Loy Kaew, Talat Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Talat Baanmai is especially busy during weekends and public holidays, when crowds of locals and visitors from Bangkok descend upon the market for its tasty treats.
Plethora of shops and activities at Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Here’s a very traditional Thai dessert: colorful sweet coconut balls. These crispy, chewy balls are made of sweetened shredded coconut meat. An irresistible snack for those with sweet tooth!
Colorful sweet coconut balls, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
I absolutely love this traditional dessert, which remains immensely popular nationwide till this day! It’s the ‘Khao Niew Sankaya’ (ข้าวเหนียวสังขยา), or aromatic sticky rice steamed in coconut milk, topped with Thai-style sweet coconut and egg custards! Love it!!!
'Khao Niew Sangkaya', or sticky rice steamed in coconut milk and topped with sweet egg custards at Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Talat Baanmai is located right beside the bountiful, yet serene Bangpakong River, which flows through Thailand’s eastern provinces of Chachoengsao and Prachin Buri.
Riverside view along the Bangpakong River at Talad Baanmai Market, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
As many Thai Buddhists love to make merit by releasing live fish into the river to bestow them their freedom and thereby make merit, this stall caters to this demand by selling live fish to be released. Amazingly, the stall owner has erected a slippery pipeline whereby the released fish slides smoothly into the water!
Stall selling a variety of live fish for release into the Bangpakong River, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Lastly, if you’re in Talad Baanmai and looking for a tasty traditional Thai meal right beside the Bangpakong River, be sure to visit the Baan Paa Nhu (บ้านป้าหนู) Restaurant, which is located in the middle of the market, right beside the scenic river. Here at Baan Paa Nhu, one can enjoy a tasty, authentic Thai meal while enjoying the fresh river breeze at the same time!
A scene at Baan Paa Nhu Restaurant, Talad Baanmai, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
For details of my dining experience at Baan Paa Nhu Restaurant, please visit my personal blog on the place via the link below:
The Talad Baanmai Market is located right beside the Banpakong River in Amphur Mueng, Chachoengsao Province, 20400. This sleepy provincial town in east-Central Thailand is less than 2 hours drive east of downtown Bangkok, but is well off the beaten tourist path and retains much of its local charm.
Happy travelling and dining, wherever you are in Thailand, and around the world!
Lat (Ratasit C.)
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Nice images and story. I love markets and this one looks like it has lots of character. If I’m ever in Chachoengsao I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks, the water market in Chachoengsao Province to the east of Bangkok is indeed interesting. If you’re in Thailand for the first time, I would also recommend the famous Amphawa Market in Samut Songkram province just west of Bangkok. It’s a very well-preserved place with wooden shophouses along charming canals, right beside a large river. Many excellent Thai-style accommodations there too.