Located in the Lat Krabang district, about 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Hua Takhe Old Market is one of Bangkok's most authentic old markets. Visitors appreciate its peaceful atmosphere and the feeling of stepping back in time as they stroll along its canal. The market has preserved its centuries-old wooden houses, which now contain shops, restaurants, cafes, artists' studios, and workshops for visitors. Contemporary art also finds its place here. The proximity to the College of Fine Arts and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has significantly contributed to the area's renaissance. Since the late 2000s, students, faculty, and local residents have been working together to transform the old market into a vibrant hub of artistic expression. The wooden houses regularly host exhibitions, creative workshops, and street art events, giving Hua Takhe a unique identity among Bangkok's old markets. History of Hua Takhe Market: The market originated during the reign of King Rama V in the late 19th century. The construction of the Prawet Burirom Canal, on which the market is located, facilitated the development of trade in eastern Bangkok. At that time, Hua Takhe was an important center of river trade between Bangkok and the neighboring provinces. The name Hua Takhe literally means "crocodile head." It stems from the discovery of a young crocodile skull, which is still kept in the district's Chinese shrine. This find during the canal construction gave the area its name. So don't be surprised if you see heads or entire crocodiles on murals and reliefs. Hua Takhe is off the beaten tourist track, and presenting its market as a hidden gem that almost no one knows about is, let's say, a bit of an exaggeration these days. While it mainly attracts Thais, and despite a surge in visitors on weekends, the Old Market of Hua Takhe is well-attended every day. Unlike the market at Klong Bang Luang, which is very quiet during the week, my tip is to arrive by train or at least start your visit to the Old Market of Hua Takhe at Hua Takhe Station (see below for how to get there). The route is very scenic and takes you through part of the market village – a quieter, yet still interesting and less crowded area. Kayaking with cats: One reason for Hua Takhe's popularity is the kayaking tour offered by the Si Yaek Huatakhe Café & Guesthouse. Besides the enjoyable paddling on the canal, this tour has the unique feature that cats often spontaneously come aboard and accompany the tourists. The tours are also part of an eco-friendly concept: If you pick up trash during your tour, you'll receive a discount on kayak rentals (see the "Practical Information" section).

Open daily. Officially, the old Hua Takhe market is open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but I recommend visiting around midday for lunch or in the late afternoon for a kayak trip on the canal with the cats – and perhaps to enjoy the sunset. Otherwise, most stalls open at 10:00 AM. If you're looking for a change of scenery in Bangkok, you could stay at the Si Yaek Huatakhe Cafe & Guesthouse, for example. Just be sure to like cats and not be allergic ;) Kayak rentals are available, mainly from 4:00 PM onwards: 350 THB (100 THB discount if you collect at least 10 pieces of trash).

There are several ways to get to the old market in Hua Takhe: The cheapest is to take the train from Hua Lamphong station (approximately a 1-hour journey) or another station along the route (e.g., Hua Mak, accessible via two metro lines). However, you are dependent on the train schedule, so I recommend taking the train back. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Rail Link to Lat Krabang station and then take a taxi down to the market or book one using an app like Grab. As mentioned before, I recommend asking the driver to drop you off at the station, as the walk from Hua Takhe station to the market (15 minutes) is very pleasant. The taxi ride between Lat Krabang and the station costs about 80 THB. If you are more familiar with public transport in Thailand, you can take the Airport Rail Link to Lat Krabang railway station, then take a songthaew (shared taxi) of line 333 to the Lat Krabang Soi 17 or Udomphon Market stop and walk the rest of the way.

How to get there

How do I get to the old market in Hua Takhe? There are several options: The cheapest is to take the train from Hua Lamphong station (approximately a 1-hour journey) or another station along the route (e.g., Hua Mak, accessible by two metro lines) to Hua Takhe. However, you are dependent on the train schedule. Therefore, I recommend taking the train back. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Rail Link to Lat Krabang station and then take a taxi or book one using an app like Grab. As mentioned, I recommend getting dropped off at the station, as the walk from Hua Takhe station to the market (15 minutes) is very pleasant. A taxi ride between Lat Krabang and the station costs about 80 THB. If you feel more comfortable using local transport in Thailand, take the Airport Rail Link to Lat Krabang station, then a Songthaew 333 and get off at the Lat Krabang Soi 17 or Udomphon Market stop and walk the rest of the way.