Ratchada Train Market, also known as Talad Rot Fai Ratchada, is a night market in Bangkok. Following the big success of the first Train Market (Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin), the new Rot Fai Market was opened in Ratchada area which is more accessible.
Important Update!
Ratchada Train Night Market (Talat Rod Fai Ratchada) was shut down due to the epidemic. However, the new night market opened in 2022 at the original site under the new name "The One Ratchada".
The original Ratchada Train Night Market has recently been transformed into Jodd Fairs Night Market on Rama 9 Road in Bangkok, just 1.5 km away from the previous location.
Location
Talad Rot Fai Ratchada is located on Ratchadaphisek Rd, just behind Esplanade Shopping Mall. The night market is easily accessible as it's just next to MRT Metro Thai Cultural Center station.
Atmosphere
Ratchada Train Night Market is smaller than the original, but this night market before boasted a similar retro and vintage atmosphere. However, now the market is dramatically expanded and the atmosphere didn't get any better.
Before Ratchada Train Market was filled with locals enjoying the stalls selling a wide range of goods and food during the night and the market didn’t seem to attract many tourists that helped to preserve its uniqueness. But now, the atmosphere here is totally different as large tour buses started to bring tourist groups to the night market ruining the local feel. If you have visited the night market in Ratchada a couple years ago, you will be surprised and not in a good way.
The market is mainly divided into 3 sections: nearest to the Esplanade Mall area is mainly dedicated to food, the central area of the market has stalls selling various goods and the farthest end of the market is the area where you will find the bars and restaurants.
Food
Once you hit Talad Rot Fai Ratchada, you will see rows of food stalls offering a great variety to feed all the different cravings.
Now the food and prices here are more aimed to tourists so the prices are slightly higher than you would expect to pay at the typical Bangkok night market and other places offering street food.
On our last visit to Talad Rot Fai Ratchada some of the food offered there was so overpriced that we were shocked a bit! They were selling Mangosteens at 160 Baht for 6-7 pieces at the night market and we normally pay just 35 baht for 1 kg of this popular Thai fruit at local markets.
However, some of the food at Ratchada Night Market such as Moo Ping (grilled pork) was still sold at a normal Thai price. But normally priced food is getting difficult to find here so you need to shop around.
If you are a seafood lover, there are many grilled seafood restaurants waiting for you at Talad Rot Fai Ratchada.
Some of them serve spicy seafood on paper. The basket and plastic gloves are provided for you to eat your food. It’s definitely one of the better food experiences at the market.
However, not only the prices of seafood at the market skyrocketed after Ratchada Train Market gained fame between tourists but during our last visit almost all seafood serving tables here were occupied by Chinese tourist groups meaning that getting a seat is not as easy as it was before.
BBQ is another popular food at the night market and you will find plenty of variations available here.
Mini Fried Seafood in Batter is freshly made in front of you with a variety of seafood fillings such as tuna and squid.
At Ratchada Train Market you can also find fried insects, if you are willing to try these exotic snacks. Before you try, read our guide of Thailand Insect Food.
Stewed Pork Ribs is another highlight of Ratchada Night Market’s food zone. These huge ribs are very tender and served in a spicy sour soup. The meat just falls off the bone.
Again, if before you could easily find a seat and enjoy some Stewed Pork Ribs for your dinner, now you need to wait in a long queue as it seems to be favorite spot of Chinese tourists as well.
Shabu is a popular hot pot dish at Ratchada Night Market. You can order the meat of your choice and bite-sized vegetables to be cooked by yourself in the broth. It's a perfect meal for sharing with friends and family. Our review of the restaurant serving Shabu at the market can be found here: Shabu Restaurant @ Talad Rot Fai Ratchada Night Market.
They also have every kind of refreshing beverages waiting for you so you don't need to worry about bringing your own drinks.
For more ideas of what Thai food dishes, Thai desserts and other snacks are worth to try at the market read What to eat at Talad Rot Fai Ratchada.
Things to Buy
Next to the food stalls of Talad Rot Fai Ratchada, there are many stalls selling a variety of items such as antiques, second-hand toys and various retro accessories, as well as more general market type clothes, bags, shoes and electronics.
The items being sold here are not much different from the stuff sold at the markets around Bangkok.
It’s a pleasant to walk around this market zone as it’s less crowded and you don’t feel pressured into buying anything. It’s good to also look around as the same stuff could be bought at very different price. Sometimes you can bargain, but mostly prices are fixed.
With the crowds of tourists flocking to Ratchada Night Market, the goods on offer at the market are also changing. So now you can already find lots of standard tourist souvenirs being sold here, just like in any other touristy spot in Bangkok.
Activities
There are even a number of barber shops offering cool haircut for men.
After all the walking, there’s a good selection of open-air bars with rooftop seating at Talad Rot Fai Ratchada to stop at for refueling and recharging. Some of them have live music as well.
A row of different themed bars can be found at the back of the market.
Bars here serve beers and other liquors at really affordable prices.
If you are a motorcycle fan, you will find plenty of them standing outside the bars for showing off.
Photogenic Market
As the market recently expanded, Talad Rot Fai Ratchada has become one of the most photogenic markets in Bangkok and it can be best photographed from above.
If you want to get a perfect bird-eye photo of the market, you have to go the Esplanade Mall which is located just beside the market. You need to take the lift to 4th floor (or choose another floor if you prefer different angle) and walk to the car park lot where you will be able to get a nice picture of night market’s colorful stalls.
Or you can head another way to get the view of the colorful stalls from one of the container bars at the end of the market.
In general, Talad Rot Fai Ratchada is one of the most interesting night markets in Bangkok to visit if you are visiting Thai capital. If you like a touristy vibe, then you should like this place a lot as you can truly enjoy the atmosphere that this market has to offer. It’s really worth to spend a few hours exploring the stalls, eating street food and soaking in the atmosphere. Otherwise, for more local atmosphere head to the original Train Market - Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin.
Ratchada Train Market Opening Hours
Ratchada Train Market is open daily 05:00 pm - 01:00 am
The best time to visit the market is from 7 pm when most of the stalls are set up already as some of them don't open too early.
How to get there
Public Bus
Take Bangkok Bus No. 73, 74, 136, 179, 185, 206, 514, 517 and drop off at MRT Thailand Cultural Centre bus stop. Then walk towards the Esplanade shopping mall. Ratchada Train Market is behind the mall.
MRT
Take Bangkok Metro to Thailand Cultural Centre station and take Exit 3. Walk left when you exit to the street and then take the next left side-lane before the mall to enter into Rot Fai Market Ratchada or walk into the shopping mall head to the back exit that leads to the night market.
Taxi
The easiest and most convenient way to reach Ratchada Train Market is taking Bangkok Taxi directly from wherever you are. It is easier to tell the driver “Esplanade” as the night market is behind The Esplanade shopping mall on the busy Ratchadapisek Road.
Tips
In our opinion, Talad Rot Fai Ratchada Night Market is one of Top 10 markets in Bangkok. What are the other ones? Check here: TOP 10 Best Markets in Bangkok.
Best Hotel near Night Market Ratchada
The best hotel near Night Market Ratchada is called Amanta Hotel & Residence Ratchada which is located just 50 meters from the market.
