Shopping at Rong Grua Market

Posted by Mr Tuk Tuk on November 18th, 2011 filed in Up Country, shopping

People crossing from Thailand to Cambodia at the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border could easily spend half a day browsing through the massive market on the Thai side of the frontier. Talat Rong Rua, which translates as salt warehouse market, was a small trading post until 20 years ago. Nowadays it is an excellent location to buy cheap designer products, second-hand clothes and eclectic products from Cambodia and China.

Specialities which many Thai people visit the market for are dried fish from Cambodia’s Tonle Sap River and woven articles from China. Traders from all regions of Thailand head to the market to stock up on brand-name used jeans and footwear. A year ago a pair of tatty Levis was around 40 Baht, while ones in reasonable condition could be snapped up for 150 Baht. Cheap watches and fake leather handbags are other big sellers here.

Shoppers who work up a thirst can enjoy traditional beverages from both countries as well as gourmet coffees at several small cafés dotted through the market. The sprawling market complex is just before the Thai Immigration Office, where many visa-runners pass through on their way into Cambodia. Poipet is a pretty nondescript town with its only saving grace a number of casinos which draw visitors from afar.