Its been a while and I am trying my best to recall my experiences on that day! So I covered Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in the morning, rushed back to the hotel, bathed, changed and went to Siam for the photoshoot. Several times, I was rushing like mad because I thought I am already late but its just because I keep forgetting that my watch was in Sg time which was an hour ahead of local time. After the photoshoot, I had the option of going back to my hotel to change into something more travel friendly but it would be in the opposite direction. Since I have covered so many spots within a relatively short time, should be the same for JJ market.
I was so so wrong...
I was even in my working leather shoes. Would rather wear my dunks for such walks but blame myself for being lazy to go back hotel to change out of it.
Getting to Chatuchak market was easier than how the tourist maps described it. The locals simply refer to the market as JJ market. At the sky train, I overhead this group of people speaking in Singlish and I was quite sure they are Singaporeans so I just followed behind them for a while to make sure I was going in the right direction. The weather was hot and I had to wriggle my way through heavy human traffic. By the time I got there, I was dying to get out of my black long sleeve shirt (as seen in my profile pic). Bought a red bull singlet and asked the shopkeeper where is the nearest toilet. She told me to change there if I didn't mind. Didn't care and just changed on the spot. There were a lot of choices for singlets I just had to get the red bull one. Its like the most typical thing to buy if you are in Thailand rite? Anyway its only $4 SGD.
Bought some drinks and more bbq chicken asses then started my walk. I tried to be systematic following a route that would cover all the rows but it didn't work out. This is way bigger, bigger than any other markets I've covered. In fact, bigger is an understatement. By the time I got out of the market after skipping many rows and sections, it was about 3 hours later. I was practically non stop during this entire period except for those times when I bought snacks or drinks. That amount of walking time could translate to possibly 8km of walking? Maybe even more. I was tired and my leather shoes were seasoned about this trip.
More about the market. Almost everthing you see in Sg gift shops, especially all the shops at Bugis street, you can see them here. Most of the stalls here are wholesalers exporting elsewhere. Even for retail consumers, the prices are damn cheap. Almost everything averages about 100baht.
Some of the vendors had innnovative way to attract crowd. One of them dressed up and mimic Captain Jack Sparrow. He did a really good job, even manipulating the coin on his spare hand. He was selling accessories but his costume was meant to attract donations for some charity organisation. Social entrepreneurialship! I didn't stop to take an actual photo of him but I did get a very lucky paparazzi shot. It looks like he knew his photo was taken.
There was a section of just art galleries with art pieces for sale. Really cool stuff and I am sure many local galleries bought it from them and severely inflate it for sale here.
Then I entered a section of 'pets' which is another understatement. The fishes were expected, then come the puppies which were sold in make shift tables and stands. Some rabbits were also sold that way and packaged in a cute box. A shop was selling snakes and on the floor were cages of baby mice which were meant as food for the snakes. The deeper you go, the more absurd the species. Baby parrots, exotic birds, squirrels, different type of terrapins. Then the ultimate was to see baby porcupines and young owls. Firstly, I don't understand how do you buy a porcupine home and rear it. Regarding the owls, I am just astonished because I can count the number of the times I have seen owls in my life. Only remember seeing once or at most twice on the trees. Thats about it. Those at the birdparks should not be counted. Considering the rarity, its a big thing to me to be able to buy it off the market. Not to mention its is kinda cruel.
Following that section were parts of clothes and small wares. Clothes alone have many different parts. The wholesale type, pasar malam type and the attas stores. Since I was not into shopping clothes, I just skimmed through them. Again, girls can just stay here forever. However this market is only open on weekends. Wonder how is it like on the weekdays.
My local friends don't seem to come here often, saying that it is too hot. Now I really know what they mean. It is not as shaded as the other markets. So you keep spending money on drinks, ice cream and stuff. The local ice sticks are quite cool. I wonder what kinda of cooling mechanism do they use to freeze it out in the sun without electricity.
The last stall I saw before leaving the market was a make shift stall selling magic accessories and illusions. Too bad I have stopped practicing it. I am sure the prices would be a great steal.
The next time I ever visit JJ again, it has to be in berms and dunks. No jeans.
Got quite a few shots that I like from the market trip.
Street side "g-mask" services.
Strawberries served with salt. I tried it and I think I will prefer it without the salt.
Right photo, illegal hawking of baby bunnies.
Thai cover of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Left, beef noodle stall. Wanted to try but I am on a tight schedule.
Cock fight pit.
Baby owls.
Left, fried bugs.
Right, puppies for sale.
Check out the crowd. Despite the sun, everyone is just out there.
Paper marche piggies.
Champion. One word - Courage. She / he is on the wallpaper of my iPhone now.
Local ice sticks.
Local home made coconut ice-cream.
Left: magician.
Right: This is the 2nd time I saw a guy wearing those armour gear on their body and arms. Whats up with that?
Another baby elephant in the night on my way back.
