Where would you go if you are looking for a cheap (maybe also secondhand) action cam for underwater photography?

another option is the camera markets near khlong thom, specifically along charoen krung road. there's a few shops that sell used waterproof point-and-shoots like the old olympus tough series which can be found under 2000 baht. they're not action cams but the image quality is actually better than a hero 4 for stills and they're built for snorkeling just fine.

the tradeoff is they're bulkier and the video won't be as wide angle. if you want something that fits in a pocket for the aquarium, the go pro is still the way to go. just make sure to bring a dry bag for the housing when you test it, most sellers will let you run it under a tap for 30 seconds to check for leaks

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honestly for 2000 baht you're prob looking at used GoPro Hero 4 or 5 territory, maybe a Session if you're lucky. head to Fortune Town on Ratchada, the 4th floor has a bunch of secondhand camera stalls that deal with this stuff. i've seen Hero 4s go for 1500-1800 there, just check the waterproof housing seals are still good and the lens isn't scratched.

fwiw the Hero 4 is old but the video quality is still fine for snorkeling, just don't expect amazing low light in your aquarium. if you can stretch to 2500 you might find a Hero 5 which has built in stabilization and is more reliable with older batteries. avoid the random no-name Chinese cams on Shopee for underwater use, they leak way too often

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if you're up for a bit of hunting, check out the camera section at MBK on the 3rd floor. there's a few stalls that sell used gear and sometimes you'll find an old GoPro Hero 3+ Silver for like 1200 baht. the quality is def worse than a Hero 4 but for basic snorkeling and aquarium shots it's totally fine just make sure the lens isn't fogged up from humidity damage.

fwiw i'd avoid the stalls in the main electronics aisles at Pantip Plaza, they tend to price things higher for tourists. also check the Facebook marketplace groups like "Bangkok Secondhand Camera" lots of locals selling old action cams for cheap if you can meet up near a BTS station. just test the wifi connection on the camera before buying, those old models have spotty connectivity sometimes

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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