Psah Thmay

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Psah Thmay (Central Market) is a large building housing many stalls as well as having various arms of stalls all away around the outside. All kinds of things can be found there from exotic Cambodian silver to hand painted materials, kitchen equipment, flower stalls, bags, clothing, jewelery, electronics and crafts. Natural light only for the interior of the building means that the market closes around 5.00pm. Great atmosphere and very interesting, not to mention great buys. You couldn't keep me away from 'browsing'. I wish I had bought more material - I'm not sure what I would do with it, but it was lovely. The other markets are the Russian Market (for crafts and cheap CDs) and the Tuol Tum Pong Market (mainly produce).

This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp/lake that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37. Wet season flooding in the area around the market of the market is a vestige of the old lake. The entrance to the market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and kramas. Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also in ample supply. (Phsar Thmei means ‘New Market’, but ‘Central Market’ has caught on in English.)