Central Market - Psah Thmay, Phnom Penh

4 more images

As all around in Asia, one of the best places to visit is local market. As coming from a grey and sterile country, I am always, again and again, surprised about the amount of stuff I never knew exist, local habits, like bargaining in different cultures and cool atmosphere of these places. I can roam for hours just looking, smelling and searching the environment.

Photo 1: Main gate to inside. Be warned, there is the middle building and branches, multiple exists, so take some kind of navigation rule that you find back. I used a colorful sun umbrella but my wife said that similar are in every exit. They were almost similar, small differences could be found.

Photo 2: This young lady was outside before exit we went in. She made a couple of deals with us and she smiled like she were better with bargaining than us. Probably she did, but some scarfs, silk ties and polos we bought and they were cheap. Probably not done under the logos presented, right.

Photo 3: The main building inside. Mostly jewelry and "more expensive stuff" like in all better department stores, at least in our country. The best profits and the most expensive rentals for sellers.

And from the other parts of the building you can find everything you need in your life, and a lot of more, I concentrated to spices and drinking beer as normal. This is must in Phnom Penh (and in all other towns these exit).

Barber and sewing department included, so if you have some of your clothes damaged, take with you and you get em repaired.

4 more images

Central Market is listed as my favorite market in Asia. This distinctive building has an unique art deco and shape like a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. This is the landmark of the city as you can spot this architectural building from several mains streets in Phnom Penh including Street 63, Charles De Gaulle, Kampuchea Krom, street 130, 67, 61 and 53. It is like being in the center of the town.

It was first built in 1937 being the largest market in Asia. Between 2009-2011, it was renovated by the French Development Agency spending over US$4.2 million.

Today, it remains as one of the most popular markets in Phnom Penh for both tourists and locals. It is painted yellow gold both interior and exterior. It does't require light during the day as it depends on the sunlight shine it thought holes in the roofs and walls. It is decorated with European style lighting. Vendors are selling an amazing collection of gems and jewelry inside the building. You could find vendors selling souvenir, handicrafts, silks, t-shirts, postcards, fresh produces, beg and etc at the entrance and hallway of the building.

Don't miss...

Opening Hours: 7:00 - 17:00

In Khmer: Phsar Thmey

The Central Market or New Market is a huge dark yellow building built in the shape of a dome with four separate hallways that are attached pointing in 4 different directions. It was the biggest market in Asia when it opened in 1937, and still in operation today from early morning to early evening. Inside there are gem stalls, gold stalls, money exchangers, coins and medals, and outside there is mainly clothes, baggage, souvenir t-shirts, magnificent flowers, books, seafood and a wide range of souvenirs, electronics, and other products. Nearby is a new shopping mall with a supermarket.

If you have read any of my other pages, you will know that I love markets, and particularly Southeast Asian markets with their bustle and activity, sights and, yes, smells. I remember wandering about Phsar Thmey (Central Market) for ages last time I was on town in 1991 and my memories are of a wonderful, vibrant market. Unfortunately for me, but probably fortunately for stallholders and customers alike, at time of writing in February 2010, the whole central building is under some sort of renovation and completely closed off.

There are still stalls in the surrounding streets, clinging like barnacles to a shipwreck but it is a pale shadow of the place I remember. Hopefully when I return (and I fully intend to) it will have returned better than ever, although I can't help but worry it may become a bit antiseptic and lose some of it's charm. We shall see.

3 more images

The Central Market was built in 1937 and is a masterpiece of Art Deco design - perhaps one of the finest examples of this era in Southeast Asia. The building features a huge central dome with four wings but it was being renovated when I visited in December 2008 and all the food stalls were crammed next to each other outside. Normally the inside is teeming with numerous stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, men and women apparels, clocks, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, fish, seafood, dessert, luggage, and countless other products.

2 more images

The Central market is in a large ART DECO building.

There are heaps and heaps of stalls, inside and surrounding the market, where I think you could find virtually everything, including, gold shops, money changers, electronic shops, & more.....
You can buy a Khmer scarf from here if you wish.

All roads seem to lead here, and it is very busy. I thought the items that I bought here, were very reasonably priced. These were a couple a pair of shoes and some nice bags.

WELL WORTH A BROWSE AROUND!

1 more image

If you can’t find what you need in the Russian Market, head out to the Central Market. Before you enter the main building you can find rows and rows of food & drink stalls which goes at a really cheap price. Inside the main building you can find things like pirated watched, jewelry, clothes, books and other stuffs which sure to make you want to take out your wallet and buy them all.

This is great for a visit, soooo much shopping you can do, it is fun!! You can find really many clothes, watches, bags, etcetera... and the prices are really cheap, just bargain and you will get your price. Just walk pass the 'shops' and enjoy!

Visit this busy market for gold shops, money changers, electronic shops, stationary, second hand clothes, food, watches etc... Though the choice of goods for sale may seem comparable other markets, the quality is usually superior to what you would buy elsewhere.
The structure was built in 1937 in Art Deco style on an area that was until 1935 a lake collecting the runoff during the rainy season.

4 more images

This is an excellent opportunity to try to find anything you need, or you don't need, but could serve you for a present to one of your friends, when coming home. Impossible to imaging something they don't sell. And even , when they don't have what you want, they will send somebody away to find it for you.

4 more images

Worth a go to wander around, inside the huge easter egg looking structure itself houses lots of watches, jewelry, silver and etc. Outside there is a bonanza of foods and little shops selling clothes, bags and little trinkets. Overall I didn't feel like there was a ton to buy here, more just things to see and a chance to sample some foods. There are definately better markets in Phnom Penh.