Cum on Feel the Talat Noi(ze)

It is, I’ll admit, an incongruous connection. But for some reason, Bangkok’s Talat Noi neighbourhood makes me think of Quiet Riot’s early 80’s hit—Cum on Feel the Noize.

Growing up predominantly preppy in the ‘80s, heavy metal wasn’t a strong feature on my teenage landscape. I was more of a Soft Cell (yup, Tainted Love) kind of kid. And yet, the raw, rambunctious, ripping energy of Cum on Feel the Noize somehow wormed its way into my ear. At least for a short time, I totally loved it.

I feel much the same way about Talat Noi. It’s not the kind of neighbourhood I’d want to sip on a daily basis. But as an occasional high-octane shot it’s absolutely phenomenal. Pure, undiluted, gritty charisma. Hugging the banks of the Chao Praya river, roughly bookended by the market intensity of Chinatown and the marked mellowness of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Talat Noi has long been a hub and hive of trading activity. Waves of Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Khmer merchants have set up shop here over the centuries, each adding a layer of flavour and contributing to the general wear and tear.

These days the area is defined by a thriving commerce in car parts and assorted metalwork. Searching for an engine block? Need a new tie rod? How about a mile of wire? Some custom brass millwork? If it’s greasy, rusty and/or blackened, you’ll likely find it in Talat Noi. As a friend recently put it, “strolling these streets is like stepping onto the set of Blade Runner.” Which is to say, it totally rocks. Heavy metal style.