Draft:100-Year Rahaeng Market

100-Year Rahaeng Market

The 100-Year Rahaeng Market (Thai: ระแหง, pronounced [ˈɹɑˈhæŋ]), situated in the Rahaeng sub-district of Lat Lum Kaeo District in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand, is a historic marketplace renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and diverse range of goods. Established over a century ago, the market has evolved into a vital hub for trade and commerce, drawing both local residents and visitors from afar. With its unique blend of Thai and Thai-Chinese influences, the market not only serves as a commercial center but also reflects the cultural tapestry of the surrounding community. The Rahaeng Canal, which runs adjacent to the market, enhances its traditional charm, providing a picturesque setting that evokes the area's historical significance.

100-year Rahaeng Market 100year Rahaeng Market
Address:	Moo 4
Subdistrict:	Rahaeng
District:	Lat Lum Kaeo
Province:	Pathum Thani
Nearby places:	Rahaeng Shrine, Bua Kaew Kasorn Temple, Rahaeng Canal
Latitude:	14.041581880849158
Longitude:	100.42010471468573

History

Phase 1: The Beginnings of Rahaeng Trade Community (1915-1925)

100-year Rahaeng Market[1]

In early Rattanakosin era, Chinese immigrants played a key role in the economy, particularly in trade. Thailand’s social system allowed and encouraged Chinese migration, which led to the prominence of Chinese merchants, even at the grassroots level. Chinese merchants established trading posts along transport routes, especially waterways, as canals and rivers were major travel routes. Thus, Chinese merchants set up shops along riverbanks, creating both markets and communities, often called "market communities."

Similar communities emerged across Thailand, including at Rahaeng Market in Pathum Thani. The first settlers at Rahaeng Market were Teochew Chinese who migrated from southern China. Around 1915, they recognized the area’s potential for trade and established shops along the Rahaeng Canal. Initially, these were simple, single-story wooden buildings that served as both homes and shops. As more Chinese traders joined, the area developed into a fully recognized market by around 1920, as indicated in old maps. The Chinese settlers built community structures, including the Rahaeng Shrine, as a spiritual center and a wooden bridge connecting both sides of the canal, facilitating access.

Early trade at Rahaeng Market focused on agricultural products like fruits and rice, supplied by nearby farms and rice mills. Although product variety was limited, the market was frequented by locals and visitors alike, as boat traffic allowed people from surrounding areas to access the market easily. The Rahaeng Canal was central to daily life, used for both transport and domestic needs such as water for household use.

In this phase, the lifestyle was simple, and relationships were close-knit. Some Chinese settlers intermarried with local Thais, creating a mixed Thai-Chinese heritage in future generations.

Phase 2: The Era of Commercial Prosperity (1926 - 1938)

During this period, the Rahaeng Market community experienced significant growth, transforming into an important commercial hub. The primary driver of Rahaeng Market’s prosperity at this time was the development of the private Bangkok–Bang Bua Thong–Lat Lum Kaeo railway line. This railway project was initiated by Chao Phraya Woraphong Pipat (Thai: เจ้าพระยาวรพงศ์พิพัฒน์), who sought to improve travel between his residence in Bangkok and his relatives in Nonthaburi, near Wat Chalerm Prakiat (Thai: วัดเฉลิมพระเกียรติ). In those days, travel was difficult and time-consuming, prompting him to create a railway route to make the journey between Bangkok and Nonthaburi faster. Construction of this railway line began in 1909, but it was halted upon the death of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว รัชกาลที่ 5). It resumed in 1914 and was completed in 1926, with the route passing along Khlong Rahaeng and ending near Rahaeng Market, where the present-day Wat Bua Kaeo Kaesorn Community School (Thai:โรงเรียนชุมชนวัดบัวแก้วเกษร) is located.

With the railway service reaching the area near Rahaeng Market, the number of people using the market significantly increased. Soon after the railway was completed, the market became lively with people coming to shop because of the ease and speed of travel. People from various areas could now conveniently buy and transport goods by train. The railway’s arrival not only brought more customers but also attracted merchants who saw the potential for profit in the growing market. As a result, more people moved into the area to settle and engage in commerce, leading to a surge in both buyers and sellers, and quickly establishing Rahaeng Market as a bustling commercial center for the region.

As for the types of goods sold by merchants, this period saw notable changes in Rahaeng Market's trading activities. Initially, the market's products were limited, focusing primarily on agricultural produce. However, as the number of customers and vendors grew with the advent of the railway, the variety of goods and stores expanded as well. Items and businesses introduced during this time included fishing gear, agricultural tools, opium dens, prepared food shops, and coffee houses. The increased diversity of stores and products available at the market further attracted more people, contributing to the market’s vibrancy and prosperity.

The market’s prosperity was also evident in the changes to local architecture. Some merchants, having accumulated capital from the thriving trade, began to improve and expand their buildings. As a result, certain houses in the market transformed from simple, single-story homes into more durable two-story wooden shophouses with zinc roofs. The upper floors of these buildings were used for residential purposes, while the ground floors served as storefronts.

In terms of transportation, in addition to the railway reaching the area, locals continued to rely primarily on waterways for travel. A new service during this period was the introduction of longtail boat routes, providing transport from Lat Rahaeng to either Phra Nakhon or Nonthaburi. The increased speed of water travel encouraged even more people to visit Rahaeng Market.

Phase 3: The Decline of Commerce (1943 - Present)

100year Rahaeng Market

The decline of the Rahaeng Market community began when the Bangkok – Bang Bua Thong – Lat Lum Kaeo railway line was decommissioned. From 1941 onwards, the railway faced various challenges. The revenue generated from the railway operations was insufficient because the country was embroiled in World War II, which made locals hesitant to use trains due to safety concerns. Consequently, the railway's profits were minimal, barely enough to sustain the staff. Continuing operations became unfeasible, and the railway also faced maintenance issues due to wartime import restrictions, procuring spare parts from abroad was impossible. So, repairs to damaged trains were postponed, and services eventually ceased. These compounding issues led to the gradual discontinuation of the railway, with the official announcement of its termination on January 2, 1943.

This railway closure significantly impacted Rahaeng Market, reducing the flow of visitors to the area along the Rahaeng Canal. With fewer people coming to the area, trade at the market dwindled despite other routes being available. Customers outside the immediate area began frequenting more accessible markets serviced by rail. Consequently, the market’s vibrancy and prosperity waned since the railway closure.

However, the railway’s end did not completely halt activities at Rahaeng Market. Traders and merchants continued to operate, selling goods to the remaining local visitors who traveled by boat. While the bustling trade of the past was gone, they maintained modest business. The later development of the road transportation network, however, marked a turning point in Rahaeng Market’s commercial downturn. Road development as part of Thailand's First National Economic and Social Development Plan (1961-1966) emphasized infrastructure growth under Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat’s government. This plan brought road expansion, notably National Highway 346, connecting Lat Lum Kaeo and three major roads from Bangkok. The highway made it easier to travel in and out of Rahaeng subdistrict, and the convenience of road and public transport caused a shift away from waterborne travel.

Over time, with fewer people traveling by water, traffic along Rahaeng Canal waned until no one passed through the market by boat. Simultaneously, the emergence of new markets and modern convenience stores near roadways offered more variety, drawing customers away from Rahaeng Market. The diminished customer base left the market.

The commercial stagnation deepened as merchants recognized better opportunities along the new road. Many left the market to set up shop in shophouses along the road. As a result, many businesses within the market gradually closed, though some families stayed out of attachment to the area, having resided there for generations.

Rahaeng Market eventually lost its former role as a commercial hub. Despite efforts by the Rahaeng Subdistrict Municipality and local residents to revitalize the market, these attempts were unsuccessful due to inconsistent cooperation. For instance, in 2010, the TV show Talad Sod Sanam Pao (Thai: ตลาดสดสนามเป้า) filmed in the market, raising awareness and drawing new vendors. However, after a year of struggling to meet sales expectations, some businesses ceased operations.

While the market couldn’t fully recover its former commercial vibrancy, remaining residents and the Rahaeng Subdistrict Municipality maintained a commitment to preserving the community. This led to a rebranding of Rahaeng Market as a heritage water market, transforming it into a cultural tourism attraction for Pathum Thani Province. Collaborative efforts between the municipality and locals aimed at restoring and promoting the market for tourism include cleaning the canal, maintaining greenery, and creating an appealing environment. The municipality also supports local vendors, organizing spaces for them and promoting the market through various media.

Residents with long-standing shops in the market contribute by preserving the traditional look and feel of their stores. Some houses, even if no longer operating as businesses, display family heirlooms, such as household tools and past occupation-related items, creating a mini-museum feel for visitors. Some families also display old photographs of the community to evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Through these collective efforts, Rahaeng Market, while no longer a bustling economic center, has become a distinctive historical community. In 2008, this dedication to preservation earned Rahaeng Market the prestigious Traditional Community Preservation Award from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Thai: สมเด็จพระกนิษฐาธิราชเจ้า กรมสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี).

Today, Rahan Market remains a beautiful heritage attraction in Pathum Thani, open to visitors daily free of charge. The market includes long-standing shops, some still in operation, and others preserved for viewing. Visitors can explore or shop at their leisure, visiting places like the Pare Phochana (Thai: ร้านแปโภชนา), a 90-year-old fishing gear shop, a traditional barbershop, a Chinese herbal pharmacy, an old general store, and Ta Phoang’s Noodles traditional noodle shop (Thai: ร้านก๋วยเตี๋ยวโบราณตาพ้ง). On weekends, the market offers an extra selection of local snacks, traditional Thai desserts, and farm-fresh produce.

Market Sections

• Boon Charoen Antique Shop
• A-Gong Steak Restaurant
• Tai Heng Fishing Gear Shop
• Lat Lum Kaeo OTOP Center
• Sutthapirom Ice Shop
• Pare Phochana Thai Restaurant
• Rahaeng Shrine
• Ta Phoang’s Noodles Reataurant
• Men's Barbershop
• Parking Lot

Transportation

Traveling to the Rahaeng Market community can be done either by private car, with a parking area available for tourists near the bridge over the canal next to the Chalermrajakumari Public Library (Thai: ห้องสมุดประชาชนเฉลิมราชกุมารี), or by public bus. The routes to reach the market are as follows:

Travel by Car

• Route 1: Start on Chaeng Watthana Road, and when you reach the Pak Kret five-way intersection, turn right onto Tiwanon Road. Follow Tiwanon Road until you reach an intersection, then turn left onto Route 345 and cross the Nonthaburi Bridge (Nuan Chawi, Thai: นวลฉวี) over the Chao Phraya River. Continue straight at the first intersection to Pathum Thani, then turn right onto Route 346 towards Lat Lum Kaeo. After entering Route 346, proceed to the intersection where you’ll turn left into Lat Lum Kaeo District. Around kilometer 24, you have to pass Wat Bua Kaew Kesorn and see a bridge crossing over Rahaeng Canal. Cross the bridge, make a U-turn, then park on the left side near the bridge. From there, you can walk into Rahaeng Market.
• Route 2: Start from Lak Si or Don Mueang and drive along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, passing Zeer Rangsit. Turn left onto Rangsit-Pathum Thani Road. At the three-way intersection near Krung Siam St. Carlos Hospital, turn right towards Pathum Thani and cross the bridge over the Chao Phraya River. Continue straight on Route 346 towards Lat Lum Kaeo and Bang Len. When you enter the Lat Lum Kaeo area, around kilometer 24, pass Wat Bua Kaew Kesorn and cross the bridge over Rahaeng Canal. After crossing, make a U-turn, then park on the left side near the bridge. From there, walk into Rahaeng Market.
• Route 3: Start on Ngam Wong Wan Road and head straight toward Rattanathibet Road, crossing the Chao Phraya River. Then, enter Kanchanaphisek Road (Taling Chan–Suphan Buri), following the signs for Suphan Buri. Continue straight on the route toward Lat Lum Kaeo. When you reach the intersection where a right turn leads to Pathum Thani, turn left towards Lat Lum Kaeo. Around kilometer 24, pass Wat Bua Kaew Kesorn, then cross the bridge over Rahaeng Canal. After crossing, make a U-turn, park on the left side near the bridge, and walk into Rahaeng Market.

Travel by Public Transportation

• From Bangkok: Take bus route 90 from Saphan Khwai, Thahan Road, Pracharat 1 Road, or Tiwanon Road, or route 33 from Sanam Luang and Thewet. Get off at the Pathum Thani market, then transfer to either the Pathum Thani–Bang Len or Pathum Thani–Lat Lum Kaeo bus and get off in front of Wat Bua Kaew Kesorn. Walk under the bridge crossing Rahaeng Canal to reach the market.
• From Rangsit/Future Park: Take a bus to Pathum Thani market and transfer to a bus that goes to Rahaeng Market.
• From Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom: Take the Bang Len–Pathum Thani bus route, which stops directly at Rahaeng Market.