Some people might think that the inhabitants of the small province of Samut Songkhram in Thailand are off the rails - and they would be right.

The local Maeklong market straddles the last 100 metres of the state railway line and stall holders and shoppers are disrupted four times a day as a train cuts through this little but vibrant market.

With the sounding of a tooting horn, stall holders hurriedly fold away all the awnings that have been shading their produce from the burning sun, before the approaching train rumbles into the station. Shoppers also have to leap to safety, as the main walkway through the stalls is right down the middle of the railway tracks.

There is little space between the traders and the train but surprisingly little produce is actually removed from the side of the track. As the train slowly moves through the market, belching diesel fumes as it does, it often only misses these goods by mere inches.

As soon as the train has passed and the fumes dispersed the stall holders swing back into business, the awnings are replaced and trade continues - at least until next time the train pulls up.

Surprisingly there have only two deaths in the last 20 years and the market actually works very well. Packed with locals and a mix of tourists it is 6kms from the sea and home to some of the best fish and produce for sale in Thailand.

MUST CREDIT PHOTOS BY
Richard Crampton / REX FEATURES