Collectors with collections to sell turned the massive park near the Lat Phrao subway station into a lively, narrow, open-air market called the Ratchadapisek Night Bazaar in 2005, and suddenly the place was abuzz with shoppers - and especially car buffs.

Every Saturday night the kilometre-long lane is chock-a-block with splendid antiques and collectibles, and many of the 150-plus vendors are selling spare parts for vehicles.

Right at the mouth of the bazaar you can find pieces of cars, trucks and bikes - a lot of them out of the ordinary. Running lights, steering wheels, tyres and mag wheels are everywhere you look, and the stall run by Niruth Boontin has a lot of vintage motorcycles, scooters and bicycles in well-known brands.

Folks with no mind for mechanics will move on to the retro furniture and decor items touted by Suchart Ajaranont. He's got old wooden cabinets, armchairs, lamps, telephones, radio phonographs and bikes.

A little further along the path are stacks of the old Thai comic book "Kai Hau Rua", show-business magazines and posters dating back 40 years.

How about some zinc toys, near-forgotten action figures, archaic televisions, wood furniture from upcountry, clackety typewriters or - going way, way back - abacuses?

Photographers make a beeline for Somyos Rattanapornpis' stall, jammed with classic Zeiss, Ricoh and Minolta cameras, plus old wristwatches and pens.

Music lovers head for Paisan Samsuwan's dazzling array of rare records by the likes of Rewat "Ter" Bhudhinan, Carabao, the Impossible, Micro, Nok Lae, Grand Ex and Suntraporn, not to mention some great discs by Elton John and Elvis Presley.

What are we missing? Oh, yeah - clothes! There are tonnes of stylish gear and  handmade accessories, plus cosmetics and used sneakers.

Hungry? Grab a traditional Thai dessert and an iced luk tan loy kaew - date palm with syrup. By Pattarawadee Saengmanee

Daily Xpress

plan a long, long evening

>> The Ratchadapisek Night Bazaar (Ratchada Night Bazaar for short) is open every Saturday from 6pm to 2am

>> You don't want to miss

Niruth Boontin's motorcycle mart. Call (085) 059 4558.

Suchart Ajaranont's furniture. Call (089) 675 1559.

Paisan Samsuwan's records. Call (081) 625 4563.

Somyos Rattanapornpis' cameras. Call (089) 765 6076.

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