Today, I'm taking you on a tour of my neighborhood. I'm not originally from here; I moved here when I was in high school. My school wasn't in this area, so I didn't really get to experience much of the local market. It was mainly a place to catch a connecting bus and grab a bite to eat.

Remembering childhood

Upon reflection, I realized that the Min Buri market has many unexpected corners that one wouldn't believe exist in Bangkok. Having lived in this area for over ten years, I decided to explore these peculiar corners in earnest, and I was surprised by what I found. Many things that I had previously considered normal seemed strange in retrospect, perhaps because I have grown up and am now reminiscing about my childhood.

**An ancient shrine in the heart of the old market**

Entering the market on foot, one is greeted by stalls that are a stark contrast to those on the opposite side of the market, known as the "แขก" market. To put it mildly, these stalls retain the atmosphere of a traditional Thai market, or, to be more blunt, they appear cluttered, dirty, and poorly maintained. In comparison to the "แขก" market, which is located across the street and is often referred to as the "old market," this section of the market is not truly old. To reach the "คลองแสนแสบ" canal, one must continue walking through the market until they reach the end.


**Densely packed with snacks, toys hung, placed, and leaning against each other, waiting for customers to buy and resell.**


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A plethora of toys. If I were a child, I would probably cry and throw a tantrum.

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After walking through the back of the market, I crossed over to the old market. Yes, the old market is located on the other side of the Khlong Saen Saeb Canal. The market I just walked through wasn't really old.

The Saen Saep Canal near Min Buri Market is still clean enough for swimming and fishing. However, the Saen Saep Canal near Ramkhamhaeng is completely different. It is as dark and oily as used engine oil. As you cross the bridge, you will immediately see a shrine on the other side.

The left side is the old market community, and the far right is the rice mill and the old market that I just passed by.

Rice mill from the corner near the water tank

The grand yet desolate shrine might be due to the off-season, but it's hard to say for sure. This side of the street is the heart of the old market, a community sadly fading away.


The rest will be explained by the pictures.


The old building in Min Buri Uthumphon area, or the old market

**Playground and exercise equipment are very fun to play with.**

Authentic traditional architecture

Painting the marbles is an interesting sight.


After a short walk, my companions seemed hesitant. This is not a tourist attraction, but rather a community, people's homes, and a place of residence. Therefore, walking in and out would be disruptive if we were to take pictures here and there, as it would disturb the residents' rest. So we walked quietly to admire the architecture until we were satisfied, and then walked back to the "Khlong Sam Wa Pier", which I used to take to school from home when I was a child.

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The top of the image shows the end of Khlong Sam Wa, which intersects with Khlong Saen Saeb. The photographer is standing on a bridge over Khlong Sam Wa. On the right is the old "Noi Noi" market.

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**Pleasure boats in childhood**

The canal boat's route is not very long. In terms of road distance, it runs along Nimit Mai Road only as far as Wat Bua Kaew. It might not even reach that far. The most exciting part is sitting at the front of the boat. These boats are all equipped with LPG gas, using car engines like those in Solunas. They are really powerful, like a small taste of hell. There are no brakes, and I have never seen the Marine Department come to inspect them.

The Legendary Cue Shop

The final image depicts the legendary cue factory, a testament to its long-standing reputation for producing high-quality cues. The factory itself, however, appears to be in a state of disrepair, reflecting the decline of the local industry.

The quality is so good that the Chinese copied the name and sold it, and it sold better than the original. It's confusing, haha.


A Stroll Through Min Buri Market

This short walk around Min Buri Market reveals hidden corners you may have never noticed before. If you're ever free and looking for a leisurely stroll, consider giving it a try. You might just discover something new.


Hello.

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