A Day and Night Inside Khlong Toei: Bangkok's Legendary Food Center

[@OTRontheroad]

Only one location- Khlong Toei Market ( maps.app.goo.gl/eQq4HnZX7EoP4xim8 ) FYI here are the pins for the Isaan restaurant owned by the family of Wan Di: maps.app.goo.gl/MSYiUFCi5Hpv4LiF9 ...and Canvas: maps.app.goo.gl/k47vXva3pVrCMGbz5 I tried to map out everywhere we filmed within the market to give some pointers on where to find stuff- if you look closely, in a few of the very first shots, you'll see me holding a pen and notepad. That didn't work. It failed hilariously- I ended up with a few lines drawn and the single word "ducks". It's a maze, stuff moves around and every few hours, the entire market rearranges itself. Good luck. Just go in and get lost, that's the fun of it, you'll probably find stuff we didn't even see.

[@juderickman8275]

Incredible video, gets better as it proceeds including the nighttime shoot with chi Riley

[@juderickman8275]

Awesome episode. Phenomenal episode!

[@komkritanonvatana832]

I’m from Thailand, but currently studying college in Duluth, Minnesota; whenever I get homesick I watch your videos, and they never fail to put a smile on my face! Thank you for reminding me of home, Adam!

[@michaellapalme]

I though Minneapolis was the capital of Laos 🙂

[@Miyaki-t6m]

It is normal for homesick as a man who leave his home country. I have spent my time studying in the USA and the UK for 7 years, so becoming lonesome. However, this makes you stronger each day. Please, continue your future.

[@MrSippiMekong]

Welcome from St Paul. Glad to meet you if in the Twin Cities. My daughter is Thai adoptee and we’d love company at a Thai restaurant❤

[@komkritanonvatana832]

@@MrSippiMekong I will gladly take up on your offer!

[@allancabz]

This channel is underrated. It deserves millions of subscribers and views. Great job!

[@hellothere6760]

I cannot believe you guys let us watch this for free

[@LarryThiland]

Truly Amazing documentary deserving of national recognition. Your contribution to preserving history, discussion of misrepresented topics is critical to the world's understanding. Thank you for your efforts. A masterpiece forever in time!

[@APNambo]

I've just recently discovered you channel and what an amazement in terms of quality and subject. This is what KZbin needs, not those sell-out videos only intended to deliver advertising to their viewers.

[@eswillie]

This is so damn special, Adam. So much to unpack beyond the reality of what Khlong Toei Market is. This is life, this is what we lose a bit of every single day. All I can say is "Food is life, food is love", and if we lose this, we lose part of our soul.

[@AllanEdwin]

OMG. It was worth the wait. (1) Thank you for the last plea for wet markets at the core of our human experience. Maybe it won't be the last plea. Humans are constantly moving around and wherever humans go, wet markets will appear. It's so ingrained that they show up in our sci-fi. In Blade Runner, Star Wars, Star Trek, and more. (2) I always look forward to the voices you put up on screen and even more that they are speaking in their own language. The more I watch, the more I see that much of Thailand's success is rooted in the incredible diversity of cultures jostling together in one place. (3) My dad's family were farmers in the hills of Luzon, Philippines. Our family have a long history in our city market. I appreciate very much the highlights of the people whose lives are intertwined with the market, the city within the city.

[@OTRontheroad]

Great comment. Thanks so much.

[@foodhistory1387]

A potentially troublesome topic in public forums, but necessary, in my opinion. There are people who would balk at the realities of a wet market, but if you are buying produce in neat plastic packages straight from the supermarket freezer or refrigerator, you need to know that this is the reality for most of the worlds' population. Not only that, but while far from perfect, there are enormous advantages of these systems over what most of the Western world is accustomed to.

[@TheKingOfBeans]

Such as

[@oakoakoak2219]

@@TheKingOfBeans waste, for one. All these modern packaging are just a ton of dead waste.

[@estellegregory2522]

@@TheKingOfBeans freshness - go to a market and get a duck or chicken that was slaughtered a few hours ago rather than days ago. Veg and fruit also harvested days, not weeks ago.......

[@KT-jy1ok]

@@TheKingOfBeansFood waste. Most if not all of these vendors sell out same day and re-stock daily. Where as supermarkets in the West are constantly throwing away perfectly good food items that didn't sell.

[@AllanEdwin]

Yes, absolutely necessary. Carl Safina (ecologist, author who writes on the human relation to the natural world, and a vegetarian) clarified the issue for me. The issue is not death: all animals die. Nor is it eating: animals eat each other. These things are entirely natural. The issue is one of unnecessary suffering and an unnatural life. The balance of power shifted long ago. It is entirely on us humans to treat animals humanely and provide them a reasonably natural life. The single biggest reason we don't do this is because it is "not economically viable". That is unacceptable. We humans need to do a much better job of treating all life in all aspects with respect, not merely as commodities (or slave labour). Stand in the middle of a modern supermarket and look around you: almost all that you see is "food product" and artificial. Stand in the middle of a traditional wet market: the ratio of synthesized factory product and raw foods is reversed. I know which I prefer to get my food from.

[@rsc7589]

I randomly stumbled on the sriracha video a few months ago, and since then OTR has quickly become my favorite channel on youtube. Every one of your videos is masterclass. Great narration, engaging topics, deep dives into history that I never knew I needed, the feel of genuine curiosity, and all with such a respectful approach to the subject matter, and the people who make it possible. It's such a refreshing departure from the usual influencer-centric food show. Thank you.

[@supreeyakritsaneephaiboon2304]

OTR smashes it again! I'm usually a bit suspicious of youtube vids longer than 25-30 minutes, but this one and the Myanmar vid are both well worth the attention. And the OTR team and guests were perfect. Thanx, again.

[@foodtaliban]

Thanks for your effort much appreciated! Going here at 3am and experiencing the morning rush (and smell) should be on every Bangkok Foodies to-do list.

[@meekop1119]

WOW, I’m glad you made this video. This too is one of my happy places in Bangkok, if not the whole world. When I travel I love to visit the local fresh markets. I believe you can learn more about the people, the city and its culture byvisiting these markets were local people shop. Khlong Toei, definitely is not a place for everyone. As mentioned with the many adjectives used in this video Khlong Toei can be overwhelming and be a sensory overload for the average tourist. Khlong Toei is the true definition of a wet market (I do not recommended wearing open shoes there). Anytime I have been there I am usually the only foreigner (farang) there. This is truly where local Thai people shop for food. I know having been there it is impossible to show everything you will see in this market especially some things that are not suitable for everyone to see. Unfortunately for me it’s been a few years since I have been able to visit the market, good to know they are open 24 hours a day, I always tried to get there early not knowing this. Now I’m looking forward to my next visit to Bangkok.

[@matthewsheeran]

Khlong Toei "time is a flat circle".

[@bifcake]

I've lived in Thailand for the last 15 years and you have really captured the spirit of the food culture in your videos and especially this one. I could literally smell the fish as they dropped it onto a tire and it sprayed all over you. You've done a terrific job, the type that I've never seen on KZbin. Kudos to you and your supporting staff. As a long time resident of Thailand, I have been exposed and I have tasted dishes made from insects. Some of them were ok, none of them made my stomach turn, while others were surprisingly good! I would be thrilled to see a video on the insect based dishes along with the history, the explanation and the tasting. In fact, who wouldn't want to become an OTR sponsor after seeing Darya eating the giant waterbugs and crickets? Just a thought...

[@aerosuffly]

Just a small correction that most mackerels sold in Thai wet market are actually steam cooked already, the ones in bamboo baskets and Styrofoam treys for sure. This came from lack of temperature control transportation in the past, and mackerel spoil very quickly in hot and sticky Thai climate, so the fishermen steamed it. We usually still quick fried them in the pan before eat. Yes, it can get quite dried if you are not careful. Nowadays, you can get the true fresh mackerels in some big market, and they are definitely better.

[@youngchronicpain]

Checked in this morning because I felt it was probably time for another video. Was disappointed when I didn't find anything. I'm happy now! My partner and I really enjoy watching your videos. Food, history, and culture. The best! ♥️

[@rataplanrrr]

Marvelous doc about a marvelous market! Bourdain would be proud.

[@bermberm2255]

อยากให้ทำเรื่องเกี่ยวกับน้ำปลา เทียบกับหลายๆประเทศใน southeast asia ที่มีวัฒนธรรมการทำน้ำปลา

[@jesshumphries3745]

WOW!! Just WOW!!! - what a fantastic video. Is there a standing ovation emoji??

[@ThePenn7]

Totally agree!

[@Bumpy_Ears]

Yes! thank you so much for making this, after my recent trip to bkk, I was blown away by Khlong Toei. I shot so many amazing photos there felt a real pulse. It is absolutely a continent in its own right. kudos on your dedication to these types of productions.

[@theent01]

I am trying to parse out the next phase of my life, and I really think I want to come to Bangkok/Thailand and go everywhere in your videos. It is honestly one of the only things that makes me excited about the future. Thank you for this amazing content.

[@dougsinthailand7176]

Teerak, OTR just dropped another vid. Gotta go!

[@pannachawangkul585]

😂

[@gritklawaja5307]

😂😂😂

[@blacklad112]

what a remarkable documentary! Thank you so much for making this! 🙏🏽

[@mr.cookie7308]

Adam, your passion for food, especially Thai food and history is unprecedented. Your knowledge and passion is unsurpassed and you will get to a million subscribers before long. Also, the government of Thailand just need to give you honorary Thai citizenship, bc I feel you are more Thai than most Thais.

[@lostinsydney]

I was about to go to bed and now I need to watch 1hr + of amazing narration!

[@NicHeuwGuitar]

Totally agree, his narration on all the videos has been really amazing.

[@AhoohAat]

Yep, same here & totally agreed !

[@axeman1973]

Fantastic episode, a great mix of history, anthropology and food. Truly great research and writing. Keep up the good work. Your passion drives the channel:)

[@Ironhorsejailer]

Superb episode...! i will probably watch this several times over, due to the amount of content. If this was a mainstrem TV production, i beleive it would have be over 4 episodes, as no doubt there was more that could have been included. Thank you.

[@noelokeefe1924]

Another triumph , and thats an understatement !!!! Just so good

[@jim.pearsall]

My friend Chef Anon took me there in December 2023 as he wanted fresh ingredients to cook green curry and noodles for 80+ people for new year. 😊😋🤤

[@baht_and_paid]

My 2 favorite Thailand channels on the same video. SE Asian wet markets are an awesome experience.

[@warrenpenner2315]

Dude, you are epic. I've watched from the early times - I'm 16 years in Indonesia and am one of the only white guys that get stuck into it like you do there. Well done you. I'm not working in culinary; my family and friends tell me I should be. 52 y/o hippie working international oil and gas exploration - I watched Bourdain on Travel Channel. You are that. Great attitude brother. I've had the chance to work in 23 countries and visited 57. GBU and I hope you break out to a bigger audience; you can handle it I'm sure. Best regards from my family here to yours.

[@OTRontheroad]

Cheers and thanks. Fingers crossed for a filming trip to Indonesia within the next two months

[@LakeSG1985]

Feels like only youtubers with their small crew setups can weave through such a densely packed market and capture them in their entirety.

[@anothaiseta7890]

This is another great episode of Thai culture and cuisine.

[@sfalpha]

Wet market can be cleaner, there are a lots of Bangkok Wet Market that are quite clean. No fish smell on the floor, have proper drainage and treatment. Khlong Toei is hard to clean because it's too busy and too packed. A few years back is when government try to modernize the market by hired some private sector to manage, reconstruct the whole market to make it cleaner. A lots of vendor resist to this idea and protesting, so it stay dirty as it was. I guess till some large fire broke out and destroy the whole market.

[@OTRontheroad]

Most of those other markets sell products that come from Khlong Toei

[@jasontaiwan]

Been living here my entire life. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@peteswandering2768]

Absolutely fantastic ….thanks for all of your incredibly informative content

[@petehunter8355]

Beautiful messages in this doc. We, as humans, will someday recognize the immense value of these traditions that we pushed into extinction in the name of "progress." But not now, it seems... As Joni Mitchell says, "don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone?"

[@Ajhmee]

I'm Thai and I can say Pat knows about Bangkok more than me. One more thing, please do a story about Yum (ยำ). I saw you already did about Tom Yum (ต้มยำ) and Curry (แกง). Yum (ยำ) is also the main line of Thai food. The symphony of tastes and textures that you can have sour, salty, sweet, spicy and bitter with many different textures such as Crisp Catfish Flake Salad (ยำปลาดุกฟู) or Trio Crisp Thai Salad (ยำสามกรอบ) to the Instant Noodle Salad (ยำมาม่า), etc.. This topic would be really interresting one.

[@LeJohnathan]

This is an AMAZING video. Wow. The commitment you put into this is next level. Thank you for this content!

[@bertieb9510]

Thanks for bringing me back to Khlong Toei. one of the best wet markets in the world. It will be a tragedy to see it disappear but sadly it probably will. I've travelled the world for 50+ years and whether in Europe, Asia or South America they are the first place I try to visit to feel the heart and soul of a new city. And so many are being driven out by "big food"

[@etpe4830]

this is fascinating. I'm here trying to listen/watch at the same time I'm working and I can't take my eyes off the video.

[@prcr8tion]

All those raw meat and seafood sitting outside all day and night under 30c degree heat and not single flies to be seen landing on them. Amazing. 😮

[@GlocknerBua]

Amazing content - love the way of your videos 😋🤩😍

[@peterthermocline]

One of your best Videos👌👌👌👌👌

[@rajgutierajgutie6139]

I love your work! Beautiful approach and poetic. keep up the great work my friend!

[@jimshelley8831]

I often walk through the market to watch Port FC ground at rhe PAT just across from the market. The market also has one of the best coffee shops in Bangkok, run by Mark, Phu Chai Kai Cafe. Many middle class Thai people over say theyq ont go the markwt because of the smell. Doesnt bother me personally. Great vblog bu the way.

[@paul-martintandetzki731]

Listening to this while driving by with a motorbike and smelling the dried squid and chicken is a whole different mood

[@praniglowdayspa]

What a dedication! Thanks for this great doco. ❤

[@dondobbs9302]

Just amazing! I don't know how you could stay up. My Thai wife isn't even sure of what some of the things you picked up are!! Will have to go, next time in Bangkok.

[@alexp852]

Watched the full video now the second time. Love it …. Great one ❤

[@carverbob54]

That was a great one! Coincidentally, we ran into Daria on Sukhumvit and brashly introduced ourselves on the morning of your shoot. Also, I spent part of that day in a walkabout with Bangkok Pat, so, a cool 'twofer'. Klong Toei is a national treasure. Thanks for the great videos!

[@OTRontheroad]

Ha yes Daria told me! (So did Pat). One of those “small world” types of days I guess

[@nthshore]

Remarkable guys. That was so intersesting. Love your work.

[@jariyaquinn6113]

Just came across the documentary, haven't watched the whole video, yet I wanted to comment lol I gave this video a ''liked" just because 9.39 minutes, I saw a cat is sleeping. so cute and this is my cat mom energy to you LMFAO

[@benjamincrichton7739]

Fantastic! Love these documentary style videos!

[@talogodz]

so glad we have you

[@saigongriffin]

Great video…I love Klong Tloey, my family shops there regularly and though I don’t go at 2am, it has everything. It’s 10 minutes by tuk tuk from my house. I buy my Krueng Kaeng (current paste) from the Muslim vendors you showed and salted Spanish mackerel from the seafood sellers. We have our favorite vendors…

[@javachan]

I don't usually comment on videos, but what you said about there being “no place in a rich cosmopolitan country” for places like Khlong Toei cut me like a knife… almost making me tear. I am from Singapore, and I am writing this a few days before I turn 50. I am old enough to remember the “wet markets” of my youth being quite similar to Khlong Toei. There are many Singaporeans like me who are furious with our government’s overbearing autocracy not only for getting rid of such markets and replacing them with soulless sanitized versions, but also for banning traditional foods like pigs blood cake because of the remote, but ever present health risks related to them. To them, a progressive country must not have such “dirty” places of business. Every damn thing must be spick and span and look welcoming for the world at large; and every "dirty" wet market must be destroyed - like what you mentioned Beijing did with theirs. Every food remotely dangerous must be banned. I fear for Khlong Toei market as the Thai government seems hell bent on emulating Singapore’s success and assuming that would involve taking the same actions like our government did - such as getting rid of street food vendors, which they have done; as well as traditional markets like KT. I’d rather live in a “poorer” country with soul and character-rich places like Khlong Toei than a wealthy one that sells its soul for “progress”. Long live Khlong Toei.

[@OTRontheroad]

Fantastic comment. Thank you.

[@rmarkcorkery]

Damn, really good stuff! Love the eastern KY music to close out, it works

[@samuelmahoney6878]

Longest I was up for work was over 70 hours. At that point over 50 hours was happening pretty often so it wasn’t so crazy. But that was with military ops. We have some farmers markets here but it’s pretty much just what I can buy at the grocery store.

[@jampasurprenant1794]

I agree with the last lady that you interviewed with, but all of them are great all of them probably around my age anyway I was there back in the sixty almost as sixty years ago.

[@estellegregory2522]

I very much appreciate your videos. After watching your other video I found stink beans here - something I never would have know about without you. Saw live ducks and some packaged ones - asked when they had been killed "this morning". Of course they then would cut it to order (no extra charge) I knew it was 24 hours but your video has encouraged me to make a visit at one of those crazy hours when I first arrive and jet lag had me waking up at 3am - now something to look forward to instead of tossing and turning trying to go back to sleep!

[@jlee104]

Another great video, keep up the good work guys!

[@EarthCamper]

This market is entire world in it self.... amazing ❤ Video is greatly done....👍🙏🙏🙏

[@nfuryboss]

Amazing 24hours!

[@oatmeal255]

Im in bangkok on vacation right now and i forgot that ive never been to khlong toei, im gonna go there tonight it looks awesome 👌

[@suellenelm3087]

This is so important and thank you for doing this. 🙏💯🐲

[@chrisnn9281]

Another excellent video - well done.

[@SMA582]

This is all so fascinating. Thank you! 😮 😮

[@buddhidev7877]

Do you know that the present day Klong Toei was the old city of Paknam or Samut Prakarn before being relocated to the present location due to construction of the Bangkok port. The old Paknam (or present day Kloytoei) was a maritime city of Siam connecting the world. And about a hundred year ago, the railway was built and operated connecting this area and Bangkok train station. So back then, this area was the sea-land trading point since Ayutthaya era.

[@neozionzz]

My parent brings me to this market when I was a child, like 30 years ago. All I remember is how bad it smells. I have to tell my mother to bring me out immediately, or else I'll puke. Now I'm working in the building opposite of this market. I can literally turn my head and see this market at any time lol. Nice video.

[@spamtoncrocker9067]

Hong Kong still has a bunch of wet markets, which is great

[@aqupocmemei]

Always the best, you guys! Down to big corporations and their huge supermarkets! Down to capitalism and neo imperialism!

[@redletter8547]

My thanks to you and you team

[@ginettevandenkerckhove6593]

Great place 👍

[@Angeltran567]

I have being here before ...everything in the market very fresh

[@siamiam4306]

Great opening as I was one of many victims of those villainous compounds offending my nostrils at first arrival. Miss that funk.

[@PKP1]

Fascinating video

[@gagamba9198]

Great video. Will Khlong Toei survive? Maybe. Here's the question to ask: Do you want your children and grandchildren to carry on doing this? If the answer is yes, then there's a good chance it will continue. There are many three-, four-, and five-generation family businesses in Thailand, so it's in the culture. As you pointed out, much of the market is sustained by the labour of new arrivals, chiefly from Burma. Would the place be as viable without them? Thailand's fertility rate has collapsed; it was last at replacement 35 years ago, so that's two smaller generations of young people and it keeps getting smaller. A country does not bounce back from this in a year or two. If Thailand's fertility rate were to resume replacement rate tomorrow, it's still about two decades before the recovery begins to be seen in the streets and markets. Assuming no laws are introduced to change or close the place, it's going to depend even more on the migrants. The trade-off of a 365-day-a-year market is the lady who works every day that year. Maybe Thai people will not want that in the future. Whether industriousness and desires change or not, there will be fewer Thais to do so. This is a certainty not only in the market but also on the farm as well as those in the logistics of it all. I suspect most of your viewers are not 365-day-a-year workers, so it's easy for us to romanticise the market. We don't live that life.

[@afteryou55]

I think the White Popinac seeds is กระถิน aka สะตอเบา (southern Thai). It's rare in Bangkok but perfect for Khao yam (ข้าวยำ)

[@estellegregory2522]

did you do a video including Canvas? I can find others when I search, but only this one of yours comes up with the brief mentions. TIA

[@OTRontheroad]

We did a quick segment with Riley at Canvas in our Sataw bean video

[@mmhuq3]

Thank you

[@dammeedee]

หมดแก้ว ยาดองนี่สุดมาก😊

[@DannyStrange236]

The best part of Thailand is Thai people ❤

[@hiddenbunny7205]

I like it when Civ6 image is used for Cyrus, but I think it supposes to be Cyrus II

[@OTRontheroad]

ah you're probably right- my fault. I got too excited throwing the Civ image in there just for fun for anyone who might catch it

[@claytonalexander9105]

i always wonder if you understand thai or laos? I never see any translators?

[@TeddyBear-zj4qg]

lovely. 👍👍👍

[@andyadams1222]

Way do you walk around with a backpack

[@masaya0107]

19:03 Periods 🤌

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Excellent 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 +1.

[@freissweiss]

13:44 OOOF!

[@rheh2570]

it's so true.. people in city thinks they have the best food or pay a bomb for freshest! far from reality.. in supermarket supply chain.. most things even greens are atleast 3-5 days old

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

Not bad for a guy from Oklahoma my man.

[@w.sungkomsilp3811]

😊😊😊 อยากไป ❤❤❤

[@SuperPromethee]

and until recently, opening the land, running it as a market of any kind is becoming 'trendy' for landlords...flea markets are mushrooming all over the country, also, probably, as a financial way out for many.

[@TheKingOfBeans]

I bet the sleep was amazing

[@dojchinstanojkov8397]

Greetings from what was Yugoslavia. There was no hunger in Yugoslavia after 1949. I didn't quite understand what were you trying to say. If it is coment fishing, you got me 😂

[@OTRontheroad]

...it’s quite a famous story, I’m not sure what was confusing? It’s one of the biggest anti-communist propaganda efforts during the late 1950s. Look it up, it’s pretty fascinating

[@Shokamoka]

This here in the info even more than half of Thais today do not know of...

[@darraghchapman]

33:44 I'd honestly never heard of a fruiterer before

[@jessehughes88]

I can’t agree more with his words. They eat better than us. The food in the west is 💩. 1000% agree.