Bangkok Night Market Saphan Buddh night bazaar

Phra Buddha Yodfah Chulalok Bridge, officially Pathom Borommarachanusorn Bridge, was built by King Rama VII to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok and as a memorial to King Rama I, the founder of Thailand’s new capital, Bangkok. The new bridge was to provide a quick way to connect Bangkok from Tripetch Road. In the process, it offers and alternative to those having to rely on the customary water transport.

At the time, the state had to allocate 4,000,000 Baht for the construction of Phra Buddha Yodfah Chulalok Bridge, a 230-long and 17-wide-meter bridge that is approximately 7.5 meters from water surface to the crown of the bridge. It was built in such a way that ships were allowed to pass through the sections that could be raised when required although it is permanently closed today. King Rama VII inaugurated the bridge when the construction was completed on 6 April 1902.

Apart from being the memorial to King Rama I with his statue dominating the east end of the bridge, the space in front of the statue is dedicated to a public park, made available by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for schoolchildren’ recreational purposes. Thus, children playing football, cycling and skateboarding after school in this park are part of the common scene.

However, starting from 6.00 p.m. midnights, the space under the bridge takes on a new life, being turned into a night bazaar where shoppers can shop for all sort of merchandise including trendy apparels and used goods like clothes, trousers, shoes, bags and jewelry.

Independent artists, most of whom are students of Poh Chang collage to offer their artistic works and some impressive painting services at inexpensive rates. With products and services that are attractive to young shoppers, the youngsters who happily hang out in this Saphan Buddh night bazaar open-air daily “nightly” market, except Monday night.