Trok Rong Ya (Walking Street)

Trok Rong Ya has an interesting translation; in English it means ‘Opium Den Alley’, and that’s exactly what it was. The area used to be a base for Chinese émigrés working by the river, the street being the centre for opium trade. The Thai government banned opium in 1977, so that was the end of that. Nowadays the soi is filled with stalls to create a decent night market which comes alive every Saturday. There is a small museum off the main street which showcases the alley’s former function and claim to fame. Walking up and down, the atmosphere is good, with queues for the well-regarded food stalls and enough of interest to catch the eye if you are looking for a new outfit.  Not much in the way of arts and craft, mind.