ChangChui, Bangkok's plane market is a place to absolutely experience
Thailand has reopened its borders, and with the abandonment of tourist corridors and the end of restrictions from Italy, it will be possible [...]
Thailand
Thailand has reopened frontiers and, with the abandonment of tourist corridors and the end of restrictions from Italy, you can finally go where you want, when you want and how you want.
In this article:
When you go to Bangkok everyone suggests visiting Maeklong, the famous market overlooking the tracks, or the Damnoen floating market. Here this ChangChui is something completely different, a place that is a unique and ever-changing melting pot of things.
It is located outside the center of Bangkok, taxi drivers know him and complain that he is far away just to have the excuse to raise the price and take a ride without a meter. Depending on the starting point, If they ask between 200 and 300 baths, it is a sustainable expense. You could go there in other modes as well, but if you are not familiar with BKK, better to play it safe and enjoy the air conditioning.
It all started in 2017 and revolves around an airplane that is parked in the center of the area. It is a real decommissioned airplane, an L-1011 Lockheed TriStar, originally only supposed to be there turned into a starred restaurant.
HS-AXE, this is the license plate of the aircraft that began flying in 1974 for the American airline Delta and then finished its glorious career in Asia for Thai Sky Airlines before being retired and finding a second life as a restaurant, which is not so unusual.
However, things did not go as originally planned and Today the whole area around the plane has become precisely the Chang Chui market. A place where you can eat, drink, shop, look at artwork, watch artist performances, and more.
What has remained is the concept, very fashionable today, of recycling. In fact, all the structures are the result of salvage from other places: there are art galleries selling works made from salvaged materials and art installations made from discarded pieces.
From the skeleton without the jaw, to the dinosaur head and painted walls of hangars housing stores, dance centers and creative companies.
When to visit
This place comes alive with the sunset and lives well into the night, is still open from the morning but the risk is to find everything still closed. It is perfect for a stop on the way back from a hike Or as a second stop after the very famous and huge ChatuChak market., since they are relatively in the same area.
Because it is not yet another tourist trap
First because it's such a crazy place that it simultaneously houses stalls selling used goods, boutiques offering haute couture creations by up-and-coming designers, and an "everything for 10 bath" store. All amidst Italian restaurants, street food and cocktail bars in the shadow of a giant airplane's wings.
According to because it is also visited so much by locals who go there to eat or shop at the stalls.
Third because there are activities inside the market, for example, a dance school, many art galleries, a graphic design studio. Activities that therefore also attract people who come to this place for business reasons, whereas the usual tourist traps see nothing but vendors and tourists.
What's inside the TriStar
The airplane has been emptied and hosts art exhibitions, private events, and of course a restaurant that serves French cuisine. Yes, that's right they do "haute cuisine."
In addition, there is a cocktail bar on board, and an emergency exit has been converted into a slide for children and others.
What to eat
Of the plane we have said. Then there is everything from classic street food to a noodle bar, Italian restaurant, Bavarian beer garden, or rooftop cocktail bar.
Everything for all budgets. If desired, there is also a restaurant that cooks only insects.
What to do
The whole area is divided into zones identified by color. The green zone is alcohol free: opening early in the morning and closing in the evening, there are cafes and clubs that would be super trendy in New York.
The Night zone is that of late hours and alcohol. In Thailand, in my opinion, DNA evolution has led people to have no liver and to dispose of alcohol in ways that we humans cannot even imagine.
Here you can enjoy concerts and performances of all kinds until the doors close, just in time to move to Sukhumvit road where the night is about to begin.
It is suitable for children
Of course, the airplane slide will be an incredible attraction, but some of the artwork inside the market will also be very attractive to young children.
There is an ever-present area (a parent trap) where you can rent motorized riders like those found in our malls, a small game room, and other activities that are sure to intrigue children as well, allowing them not to be bored or "stress" their parents too much as might happen in other parts of the city or in a traditional market.
In conclusion
Many know it as the plane market, others as the Night Market, and still others as Chang Chui. Little does it change, it is a place to visit at least once for all the reasons we have listed and for the new things that are sure to have come from our last visit.
