Iconic toy market returns with over 600 stalls selling world-famous brands
| FOR over 30 years Saphan Lek (or Metal Bridge) on the banks of Klong Ong Ang was the go to market in Bangkok for computer games and toys imported from Japan, Europe and the US. And we’re not talking just simple playthings peddled to children. Serious collectors seeking sound investments regularly found valuable items available to buy here. And business was booming. That all came to an end last October, however, when the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was directed to clear the area and remove the stalls. Turns out that for the past three decades the sellers (around 700 vendors in total) had actually been operating illegally and, according to the BMA, their stalls had affected water management in the area. Oh dear. So the vendors dispersed, the market was torn down, and the area’s toy industry was left in tatters. Game over. Or so you’d think. |  |
Last month, Saphan Lek returned bigger and better than ever, and under a new guise, as Mega Plaza Saphan Lek. And it’s a toy, model and IT gadget paradise.
Located at the old Merry King shopping mall on Somdet Prachao Taksin Road (a five minute walk from the market’s previous home), the new location also boasts a wealth of clothing and cosmetics stores, so there are products to please shoppers of all ages and tastes.
As Mega Plaza hosts most of the vendors that once sold their wares at Saphan Lek, toy collectors and gamers can expect to find over 600 stalls selling items from famous brands such as Hot Toys, Sideshow, Egg Attack, Bandai, Hasbro, Figma, McFarlane, and Disney. Good news for parents: alongside the expensive collectibles, there are also plenty of bargains to be had.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Mega Plaza Saphan Lek is to ride the MRT to Hua Lamphong station and then catch a taxi to Somdet Prachao Taksin Road, Yaek Wang Burapha (roughly 30mins/B80). Mega Plaza Saphan Lek is open daily, with most shops operating from 10.30am-8pm.
Located at the old Merry King shopping mall on Somdet Prachao Taksin Road (a five minute walk from the market’s previous home), the new location also boasts a wealth of clothing and cosmetics stores, so there are products to please shoppers of all ages and tastes.
As Mega Plaza hosts most of the vendors that once sold their wares at Saphan Lek, toy collectors and gamers can expect to find over 600 stalls selling items from famous brands such as Hot Toys, Sideshow, Egg Attack, Bandai, Hasbro, Figma, McFarlane, and Disney. Good news for parents: alongside the expensive collectibles, there are also plenty of bargains to be had.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Mega Plaza Saphan Lek is to ride the MRT to Hua Lamphong station and then catch a taxi to Somdet Prachao Taksin Road, Yaek Wang Burapha (roughly 30mins/B80). Mega Plaza Saphan Lek is open daily, with most shops operating from 10.30am-8pm.
