Pasar Karat Flea Market Photo Walk

I stumbled upon “Pasar Karat” – a direct translation from Bahasa Malayu is “Rusty Market” while on my photo walk around Chinatown – Kuala Lumpur. In the 80’s the market was also referred to as the “Market of Thieves” apparently due to the questionable source of the goods for sale.

Pasar Karat is on the fringe of Petaling Street and starts at 5 am and stall owners are around to 10 am and I understand that Sunday is the busiest day with all the vendors turning out with their wares. Some of the old timers have been hawking for 20 – 30 years.

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Signage for Pasar Karat

For me Pasar Karat was not a destination, more a part of my photo walkabouts.  The occasions I’ve been strolling through the Jalan has generally been after 10 am, therefore I’ve missed the hustle and bustle of the busy trading times.

These street portraits from Pasar Karat are both candid and posed. I’ve Included a small vignette of a watch trade, and some items that remained unsold. Decorating the Jalan are colourful wall murals which I imagine are not as obvious during prime trading time.

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playing up for my camera, he’s blowing kisses
posing_portrait_photo_pasar_karat
laughing at his mates antics
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closely checking out the watch for sale
timepiece_sale_pasar_karat_kuala_lumpur
will he buy it?
stall_vendor_pasar_karat_Kuala-lumpur
vendor looking on hopeful for a sale
teddy_flea_market_pasar_karat_kuala_lumpur
teddy for sale, better luck for a home tomorrow perhaps
flip_flops_childrens_sale_karat_pasar_kuala_lumpur
flip flops looking for some little feet
denim_jacket_flea_market_pasar_karat_kuala_lumpur
nice denim jacket for sale

Pasar Karat is worthy of a visit to see some of the character of Kuala Lumpur. However, personally I do prefer to buy my watches from the shopping mall!

ADDRESS for Pasar Karat – Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia

Jalan Raja Muda Musa,

Kampung Baru,

50300 Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Happy exploring ♥

About Tahnia Roberts

Tahnia is a Kuala Lumpur based photographer, and she loves telling stories with photography. She contributes to several platforms for photography and arts, and has received acknowledgement from FWA Photo and other publications on several occasions.

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