BANGKOK: Suan Lum Night Bazaar at Lumphini Doesn’t Exist!

Photo credits to Tavio from www.trekearth.com

Never mind what you read in otherwise outdated Thai brochures. Those 6 words should save you the effort of navigating through the Lumphini sub-district… especially on a full bladder.

Sure didn’t help we didn’t know this sooner.

We got a dose of our own version of The Amazing Race – Toilet Edition. After our short stint in Chinatown at Samphanthawong district, we eagerly rode the subway towards Lumphini Station where the supposed Suan Lum Night Bazaar was located.

The notion of getting a head start on our shopping was enough to ignite the fire in our humble wallets. Also, to be able to check out traditional Thai puppet performances at the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre tugged at our heart strings. Pun intended.

On the way, we realized we were in dire need of a toilet break.

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Travelers Tip #1: Train stations do NOT have toilet facilities for reasons unbeknownst to us. Better empty that bladder elsewhere and fast before you head over to another part of town.

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Armed with only a map and a questionable sense of direction, we walked the stretch of Witthayu Road (Wireless Road) after exiting from the Lumphini Train Station… regularly shaking from the urgent need to relieve ourselves. *Laughing out loud. Too much info.*

According to the large piece of paper, Suan Lum Night Bazaar is at the intersection of Witthayu, Sathorn and Rama IV Roads opposite Lumphini Park. It was also near Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, the center of the Muay Thai world.

One should be able to see a big outdoor market with a large entertainment garden straight away. Little did we know that the dark and deserted lot we ignored as we clumsily trotted along was indeed the site of the recently closed down Suan Lum Night Bazaar. We only realized that 2 embassies and a restaurant later.

On a happier note, the quest for finding a toilet led us to an inconspicuous restaurant which apparently serves one of the best fried chicken we (or you) will ever taste… ever! Talk about a blessing in disguise.

All’s well that ends well!

P.S. The Suan Lum Night Bazaar opened back in 2001 and was closed off early 2011. Right. Should’ve done our homework. Relocation at Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District is currently in the works as of time of writing and it will be renamed Ratchada Night Bazaar upon completion this year. Oh and get this, the new Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada will be part market stalls-part mall and the mall part is said to become the world’s longest stretching up to 1.5 KM long. Wow. That’s just crazy good.

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Disclaimer: We DO NOT own the above image. If you want us to put it down, please do let us know by e-mailing us at jakeandbelle@wherethetravels.com.

Photo credits to Tavio from www.trekearth.com (url http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Thailand/Central/Bangkok/Bangkok/photo42841.htm) Thank you!