On a Mission to the Maha Chai Seafood Market
We love taking one-day trips outside of Bangkok! The scenery changes fast, and you get the feeling that you’re in a whole different country. While we love the convenience and opportunities available in the city, it’s nice to escape the rat race and experience different things. I was excited about our trip to the Maha Chai Seafood Market (ตลาดสดมหาชัย)) in Samut Sakhon, Thailand! It involved a train ride, a ferry ride, and a chance to visit the Maeklong Train Market if time permitted.
A Kathina (Katien) tree caught our eye outside of a pad Thai restaurant. Didn’t you know that money grows on trees in Thailand? Check out our Kathina (Katien) blog here.
Since we had already had breakfast, we opted for some rice crackers to ground out Thai coffee. I had fun photographing the vendors, but it was time to board the train and claim our seat.
All Aboard!
Our train was in the station already, and it felt like the morning was going smoothly. Sometimes I fear weekend travel due to the crowds, but there were few people at the station on this Saturday morning.
The Mah Chai Seafood Market is only a 55-minute ride from Bangkok, so the seats don’t feel all that hard. I like the freedom that comes from riding trains, compared with planes. Not much waiting in line, you can roam around the cabin, using the bathroom at will, and you can always get off the train and explore if something catches your eye.
Maha Chai Seafood Market
Maybe I should explain why I get excited about Thai seafood markets, and then I’ll illustrate my point with photos, and more photos. You see, Thai seafood markets are full of exotic seafood. It’s kind of like a trip to an aquarium, but you can eat the exhibits. If you can understand Thai, you’ll hear the locals raving about the freshness and great prices. Additionally, Maha Chai is known for it’s delicious Maha Chai Shrimp, Coconut Ice Cream, and Lod Chong dessert.
Fon bought some Pla Tu, a type of mackerel that Maha Chai is also renowned for. I bought some dried shrimp to round out our pantry. They were tasty enough to eat out of hand! We passed by endless stalls of sea creatures that are featuring in the GIF below.
Featured Maha Chai Seafood GIF
Pop Quiz: Do You Know What Fish is Banned from Australia?
Time for Lunch!
What’s more fun than seeing seafood? –Eating seafood, of course! We were both getting hungry, and as we headed to the ferry, we decided to grab some BBQ Squid. If you’ve never had seafood cooked fresh at the market, you’ll be amazed at the taste.
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Tha Chin River Ferry
We didn’t have to wait long for the ferry to cross the Tha Chin River and cued up when it arrived.
After boarding the ferry, I noticed that the captain had taken a break. Just for a moment, mind you, I stood behind the wheel and dreamed of taking the ferry on a joy ride. Maybe I’d head to the Gulf of Thailand and out to sea, stir up some trouble in the Spratly Islands and return. 😉
I decided to have a seat for the short ride across the river instead! Once on the other shore, we explored a temple and headed to yet another train to head for the Maeklong Train Market.
Our trip took a turn for the worst! As we got closer to the Mae Klong Train Market., the train was suddenly packed with hundreds of Chinese tourists. I heard another tourist comment precisely what I was thinking: “Don’t they have trains in China?” Yes, the market is interesting, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it considering all of the other more exciting and beautiful sites in the Kingdom. Let’s just say that if you hate crowds, do not, I repeat, DO NOT visit the Maeklong Train Market. On the weekend as there is no space to walk around and explore the market.
What About Dessert at the Maha Chai Seafood Market?
Sizing up the situation, we jumped off the train at the station, bought return tickets, and headed back to the train. Just under an hour later, we were back in the Maha Chai market and started looking for the aforementioned coconut ice cream and Lod Chong dessert. We found a vendor at last, but the Lod Chong was packed in plastic bags and tasty, but not photogenic. Hence, I’ll show a photo of a vendor in Penang, Malaysia, with a beautiful display.
About that Fish Quiz
If you have a sharp eye, you noticed the name in our GIF image. This little guy is none other than a Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus). Australia has banned the import of this fish, labeling it as an invasive species. The main problem is that the gills that it flexes to walk with also has the ability to choke birds and other fish when swallowed. Couple this with the fact that it can live without water for up to six days, and you have one bad boy, er, fish. More here, including a video of it walking.
This brings a close to this week’s blog. Have you been to the Maha Cha Seafood Market? What’s your favorite weekend getaway from Bangkok?
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