Phsar Thom Thmei

Phsar Thom Thmei, also known as Central Market, is large market built in 1937 in the shape of a dome, branching out into various arms of stalls. It is located in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh.

Nowadays, the market is a hot spot for tourism. Most tourists visit this market because they want to see the varieties of products for sale. The four wings of the yellow coloured Phsar Thom Thmei are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and silver jewellery, antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes and luggage. The market closes at around 5pm.

This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a 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 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.

Note: Phsar Thom Thmei in Khmer means ‘Big New Market’, but ‘Central Market’ has caught on in English.