Market No. 5

January 26th, 2008

A lunch-hour JJ right in heart of the city.

Right at the corner of Lang Suan Soi 5, an otherwise desolate parking lot turns into a busy and crowded market when the clock strikes twelve. For lunchtime shopping and eating, Talad Lang Suan Soi 5 is your new best friend.

Start off with some daily fresh homemade Thai desserts at P’Gai (08-9413-5025. Open Mon, Thu and Fri 11am-2pm.): tako (tapioca pudding with waterchestnuts, B25), peakpoon (black and green steamed cake, B20) and khanom mun (sweet potato in syrup, B20). But you’d better hurry as these yummy Thai treats get sold out in an hour, especially the popular khanom sai-sai (steamed dumpling with sweet coconut filling, B20-25/piece).

Now lets shop for fun, kitschy, gifts and gadgets at this miniature version of a LOFT shop—Prop (08-9531-0540. Open Thu 10am-2pm). Sitting in the middle of the market, this shop can defi nitely excite the inner child in you with its imported fi gurines and toy models. Funky clocks make perfect desk accessories for your boring offi ce (prices range from B10-4,000).

Working women who want to be pro and casual at the same time can take a look at MEGZ (08-9995-3133. Open Fri 11am-2pm). Their earth tone and monotone outfi ts should work in any environment. The designs are all original and prices are reasonable (B200 for shirts, pants or dresses). However, most of their clothes fi t only Thai ladies’ tiny frames; if you’re a larger size, don’t be shy; ask to get yours fi tted. Finish off your new look with accessories by K’Oom Accessories (08-1426-2432. Open Fri 11am-2pm). The earrings, bracelets and necklaces are, they claim, imported from Korea, but with prices as low as B80, we’re not going to vouch for them. Closer to home, genuine leather secondhand belts from K’Piak (08-1868-8727. Open Thu 10am-2pm) offer a cheap alternative (B100-800) to plastic and fabric. Now you just need to grab a pair or two from Shoes Shop (08-1309-0256. Open Thu-Fri 10am-2pm); choose from a selection ranging from sandals to high-heels (B250-400).

Enough with the clothes! Time to pimp your pad. K’Nok Curtains (08-1930-0248. Open Fri 9am-2pm) has curtains (B100-150), pillows B100), pillow cases (B50), cushions (B170). Some things can be made to order as well. Now that you’ve got the pillows, grab a book to chill out completely. The secondhand bookstore (08-1699-6133. Open Thu 10am-2pm) has various novels and children books both in English and Thai (B30-100).