Except to satisfy the thirst of cruising collegians at certain favored bars, it seems to me that JJ Market is pretty much a bust. I believe that a Rimping "Express" there was recently closed due to lack of business, not that it seemed much worth visiting, anyway.

So, what's with or was with JJ Market? It would seem to be pretty reachable in a good area, near the flower shops, and a big box store for basics, nice sort of design, reasonable parking (sort of, depending on which side of the road)....

I always had the impression that no one, relatively speaking, lives in that area.

JJ market also tried to establish in Pattaya, in a good location, and actually went bust before it was set up. It has the banner opening soon for a few years already now.

Old style mall, lack of anchor tenant and poor road visibility. Had JJ been sandwiched between Tesco and Kampthieng it may have prospered.

From what my other half says is that its been pretty well much a spot for the locals to hang out. Lots of bars and not a lot of foreigners. Niman is for the young and hi~so. Whereas JJ is more student and workers. Or so Im told.

Which JJ Market, right or left side of the street? I suppose it doesn't matter, they both seem to be slooooow going. I also always wondered why the area didn't take off.

Not easy to ascertain in a drive-by what the purpose of the place is. The layout is weird, and there are a bunch of specialty shops within that don't have much appeal. The long awaited Rimping was a disappointment. Everybody likes the full size Rimping, but what good is a micro version?

Good point about "visibility." Very low. You really have no sense of it as a destination or notice it much as you pass by even though the access is good. And perhaps the split personality --- one part on one side of the road and the other opposite --- throws people off.

Which JJ Market, right or left side of the street? I suppose it doesn't matter, they both seem to be slooooow going. I also always wondered why the area didn't take off.

It's absolutely packed with students and other young people each and every night. Business is booming. But during the day, nothing goes on there. Most businesses fail there after a short period of time.

Not easy to ascertain in a drive-by what the purpose of the place is. The layout is weird, and there are a bunch of specialty shops within that don't have much appeal. The long awaited Rimping was a disappointment. Everybody likes the full size Rimping, but what good is a micro version?

On visibility, we went there a few years ago. The huge sign was pointing to the right side of the road (travelling from the moat). We looked around at the fruit and veggies (hardly any, nothing different to other markets) a couple of stalls selling hand made craft stuff, a plant nursery and a lot of closed and shuttered shops which may have sold furniture, but we'll never know. I remember thinking what a disappointment, what on earth are people raving about it on Thai Visa for, especially the bit about organic veggies - the ones we saw may have been, but nobody spoke English and Mr K didn't know the Thai word for organic. We had no idea that it was also over the road - it was Sunday lunchtime and we were ready to eat. Went elsewhere of course, but would have at least had a look around to see what was there by way of restaurants..

I remember when that Rimping was going to open and I tried to figure out where they would put it, and it was only last year when there was a discussion about fish and chips that I looked again when we were on our way back from Tesco. We were in traffic and going slowly enough to spot something on the other side of the road.

It's as though nobody in Thailand understands the concept of marketing. Perhaps the owners are making enough money with the tenants they have got and the tenants are happy with the amount of trade they do, if it's the lower end and poor students who populate it, there wouldn't be too much money being thrown around.

As they often say, mai pen rai.

Which JJ Market, right or left side of the street? I suppose it doesn't matter, they both seem to be slooooow going. I also always wondered why the area didn't take off.

It's absolutely packed with students and other young people each and every night. Business is booming. But during the day, nothing goes on there. Most businesses fail there after a short period of time.

Which is great if you are under 21 and cruising! But as Rimping found out, apparently, not a lot of people go cruising there in the afternoon! Looking for prunes, maybe, but not possibilities!

Not easy to ascertain in a drive-by what the purpose of the place is. The layout is weird, and there are a bunch of specialty shops within that don't have much appeal. The long awaited Rimping was a disappointment. Everybody likes the full size Rimping, but what good is a micro version?

On visibility, we went there a few years ago. The huge sign was pointing to the right side of the road (travelling from the moat). We looked around at the fruit and veggies (hardly any, nothing different to other markets) a couple of stalls selling hand made craft stuff, a plant nursery and a lot of closed and shuttered shops which may have sold furniture, but we'll never know. I remember thinking what a disappointment, what on earth are people raving about it on Thai Visa for, especially the bit about organic veggies - the ones we saw may have been, but nobody spoke English and Mr K didn't know the Thai word for organic. We had no idea that it was also over the road - it was Sunday lunchtime and we were ready to eat. Went elsewhere of course, but would have at least had a look around to see what was there by way of restaurants..

I remember when that Rimping was going to open and I tried to figure out where they would put it, and it was only last year when there was a discussion about fish and chips that I looked again when we were on our way back from Tesco. We were in traffic and going slowly enough to spot something on the other side of the road.

It's as though nobody in Thailand understands the concept of marketing. Perhaps the owners are making enough money with the tenants they have got and the tenants are happy with the amount of trade they do, if it's the lower end and poor students who populate it, there wouldn't be too much money being thrown around.

As they often say, mai pen rai.

Actually, this is Northern Thailand, not England!