อ่านภาษาไทย
Visit the 100-year-old market, stroll through Ban Mai Market, a famous shopping, eating, and travel destination in Paet Riu. See you this weekend at Ban Mai Market. Don't come on weekdays because only one restaurant is open in the entire market. But on Saturdays and Sundays, you can visit because the big market is bustling with people and lots of food, especially old and ancient food that is hard to find elsewhere. There will be many things and many menus at Ban Mai Market. Come and meet at the old market by the Bang Pakong River. There are chic corners to choose from for taking pictures throughout the market, with a refreshing riverside atmosphere like this.
Ban Mai Market is likely a Chinese trading community in Paet Riu that has been around for a long time. The market was established because it is next to the Bang Pakong River. When you come to visit and shop, take a good look; there are still several pier areas. Even though the market people have stopped using boats for a long time (in this era of Tesla electric cars, if any house still uses boats, people would think it's strange). Ban Mai Market is a wooden house market that stretches along the river and has other separate canals, becoming a tourist attraction for about 20 years. But people still visit a lot because it's not far from Bangkok and can be easily accessed from Luang Pho (Sothon) Temple, making Ban Mai Market still a weekend market that supports tourism near Bangkok.
Well-known among people who like to visit old markets is Pae Oei Coffee Shop, which has been with Ban Mai Market for at least 100 years, with coffee menus that are hard to find elsewhere, such as No Biliaeng (milk tea + coffee), No Kiao Liang (black tea + coffee), No Ko Liang (cocoa + coffee). The location is right at the entrance of the market, making Pae Oei Coffee Shop a signature of Ban Mai Market.
To make the most of your visit to Ban Mai Market, you must try the rare Thai desserts first. Go for the Golden Bags and Khao Tu, Thai desserts that are almost lost. Especially the latter, in Bangkok, you may only find it easily at Nang Loeng Market. As for Golden Bags, they are freshly fried, lifted from the hot pan. Don't ask if they are delicious; just buy them before they run out.
Don't forget to buy Kui Chai dumplings shaped like circles that combine all kinds of fillings in one box. Bael fruit cake is also available (unfortunately, Sookjai Holiday couldn't try it because I was carrying too many desserts back to the accommodation). If you've never had Khao Tom Nam Woon before, try it at Ban Mai Market because in Bangkok, you can only find it around Samsen and Bang Lamphu. As for Look Chup and Miang Kham, you can find them in general markets.
Don't miss the buffalo horn water chestnuts with their white flesh and delicious taste. Sookjai Holiday last encountered this type of buffalo horn water chestnut at Wat Mongkol Bophit Market in Ayutthaya. I must tell you that when I was a child, Bangkok still had vendors carrying baskets selling water chestnuts, Indian almonds, boiled peanuts, Pak Rim Kai Tao, Bua Loy, and Khanom Tuay in front of the house, calling out to buy them for 5 baht, and you would get a big bag. I would lie down and eat buffalo horn water chestnuts in front of the TV, and I was very happy.
Since we're reminiscing about childhood, there are many retro snacks at Ban Mai Market as well, such as cigarette gum, dinosaur egg candies, and things like that. Even if you don't buy them, you can't help but think about your fun childhood.
Visit the Shell Shuan Chim dessert shop "Nonglak Thai Desserts," which is also a five-star OTOP product of Chachoengsao Province. The uncle said his desserts are not too sweet, just right, and easy to eat without burning your throat like others.
It's lunchtime. I entrusted my stomach to Baan Mai Story, located near the curved bridge in the middle of Ban Mai Market. I ordered clear soup noodles with giant meatballs along with a cold drink to cool off, plus a spicy giant meatball salad.
Opposite Baan Mai Story is the location of the "Ramwong Raksa Foundation Club, Folk Ramwong," which was rehearsing a performance. It was good that Sookjai Holiday crossed the street to observe (actually, hoping to talk to the girls in the club).
Another activity that is indispensable for Thai people, found in general 100-year-old markets, is releasing fish and turtles. There are several service points along the piers. Those who feel like making merit and saving the lives of these animals, they bring a fish farm and fishing park, complete with all kinds of fish. You can make merit in a complete cycle.
As for these colorful green tea worms, they are said to be handmade, creatively adapted into refrigerator magnets or keychains. They are crafted into soft, cute-looking figures. The seller makes them by hand, and they are not expensive, only 20 baht each. Sookjai Holiday quickly bought one to bring back and stick on the refrigerator to look at when thinking of some Paet Riu girls.
If you're tired and hot from walking, there are several cafes to choose from. At Baan Mai Story, in addition to food, they also have a cafe service. If you walk towards the end of the market, there is Red Cat, a cafe serving food and drinks by the river. If you walk to the back of the market (where there is no way to walk further except to the parking lot), if you like the atmosphere of sitting and chilling, open to the natural breeze by the river, you can order coffee and enjoy it. Food is also available.
It's time for a meal before saying goodbye to Ban Mai Market. Hoping to go to the accommodation and eat the many desserts that I brought back from the market, almost unable to carry them all. It can be said that Sookjai Holiday's backpack was filled to the brim. I'll stop by another beef noodle shop because I really like beef. No matter how you eat it, it's delicious. This shop is "Braised Beef Noodles, Ban Mai 100 Years, 8 Riu" (written like this, using the number 8, not written as a word).
Enjoy watching the merchants of Ban Mai Market selling their wares. No matter how old the market is, it can be revived because Thai people come to visit and shop. People spend money, and the merchants are lively. Even though it's an old market, it helps to further creative economy.
