PHOTOS

12 FEB 2011

Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market

Klong Thom used to be a canal called Klong Sampen (khlong meaning canal). In 1932, the canal was turned into a landfill of garbage and later a road was paved over the area. People have referred to the area as Klong Thom, which means a landfill canal, ever since.Klong Thom is a bustling market selling mostly electrical appliances during the day. By night of every Saturday, the market sells all items imaginable including pirated CDS until 1.30 am. Photos by Patipat Janthong

 
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Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Klong Thom used to be a canal called Klong Sampen (khlong meaning canal). In 1932, the canal was turned into a landfill of garbage and later a road was paved over the area. People have referred to the area as Klong Thom, which means a landfill canal, ever since.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Klong Thom is a bustling market selling mostly electrical appliances during the day. By night of every Saturday, the market sells all items imaginable including pirated CDS until 1.30 am.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Sex toys and aphrodisiacs are sold at small vending stalls around Klong Thom. Most of the items are imported from China.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Pirated movies in compact discs are found throughout Klong Thom. It is one of the region’s largest markets selling pirated movies. A survey has found most buyers of the pirated products at the market are 25-39 year-olds.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Pornographic movies are popular buys at the market. They are priced between 100-120 baht for three to four discs.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Customers check out the loud speakers at a store. Sound systems for cars are some of the items on the shopping list of visitors to Klong Thom.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Deity figurines and sacred images of all forms and sizes are put up in an open auction at the market.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Shop assistants play games on his mobile phone as he waits for customers at his toy shop.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Customers look at imitated vehicle number plates selling for at least 150 baht apiece. Some shops are hired to produce fake plates at 600 baht each.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Shoppers browse through a large selection of bras and undergarments near Klong Thom Centre.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
A child sleeps in an improvised bed while the mother is busy attending to customers.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Vendors try on some of the sunglasses as he helps potential customers choose the right pairs for them. The stall near the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital sells the sunglasses at 50 baht a pair.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
People sift through old books at a shop close to the Sri Worajak building.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Shops in Klong Thom also sell used television sets, many of which have been released from pawn shops. The shops find many customers as the televisions are much cheaper than the brand-new sets.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Second-hand shoes are put on the shelves at Klong Thom market. They were bought by the shops from the Rong Klua market on the Thai-Camobian border in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaew province.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Some stalls sell clothes that are imitations of popular brands but at a fraction of the price.
Klong Thom : Saturday Night Market
Shops at the Klong Thom Centre close at 1.30 am, leaving behind nothing but rubbish.