Wororot Market

---

I like markets, especially in other countries, though to call Wororot a market is a little like calling New York City a neighborhood.

This marketplace covers a huge area, roughly square, about half a kilometer per side. Into this sector are crammed about half a million little shops, stalls, and sidewalk vendors. Like many places in hot climates, vendors take full advantage of the five-foot way, making walking a challenge and avoiding the ubiquitous scooters a necessity.

But the fun part is just wading through the sheer volume of stuff that’s on offer – and trying to figure out what it is. I could identify the dried chrysanthemum blossoms, and I think those things over there are crispy fried pig intestines, but is that larvae? And what I thought might be dried fish turned out on closer inspection to have hair. And there were lumps of stuff (spices? dough?) that I never did identify. The frustrating part is not speaking enough Thai to ask the question – or to be able to understand the answer.

The basement, by virtue of being the coolest spot, has fresh vegetables and fish, the ground floor is spices, dried foods, and other unidentified food items, the top floor is mainly clothing. Some of the clothes are poor quality knock-offs of name brands (Levi 501 jeans gets changed to “Lexi” 501 jeans, but some of it is made by northern Thai tribal crafters and is rather nice.

The vendors here pretty much leave you alone to look, unlike Indonesia where I sometimes felt I needed a whip and a chair to make my escape. However, if you are interested in an item, the merchant will go out of her way to answer your questions and find the right size, color, design you want.

---

Photos

Wororot gold
The building in the center is a very large gold shop. The sign is in Chinese, not Thai. Chinese gold is usually 23.95 karat or better.

Wororot Market
From the outside

rambutan
Looks strange, tastes delicious.

shirt seller
This lady worked very hard (and successfully) to find me the right shirt.

Wororot
Inside one of the main market buildings.

fake flowers
You would expect a lush display of flowers in this climate, but these are all plastic.

Comments

[Tammy]

Oh My!
I am speechless, I cannot believe you are there, you are all by yourself, and the mystery food sounds absolutely HORRIFIC!!!! Keep the updates coming! I sure hope you are having a great time and finding something to eat besides hairy larvae!!! :)