Where can I buy the 3 emerald Buddha statues?

There's some confusion worth clearing up first. The Emerald Buddha is a single image at Wat Phra Kaew, and the "three" you're seeing is likely the set of seasonal costumes (hot, rainy, cool) that get changed by the king, or a mismatched trio of famous Buddha images sold as a souvenir set. If you want decent cast versions, Phra Chan market near Wat Mahathat by Tha Chang pier is where the amulet trade actually happens, not the tourist stalls by the palace. Prices run 300 to 800 baht for resin or bronze, and the vendors there won't push the shiny gold-plated junk.

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tbh those gold plated ones at the airport are a total rip. for the real trio try Phra Athit road near Khao San, there's a handful of amulet and Buddha shops tucked along there that do proper castings. not sukhumvit but worth the trip.

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the emerald buddha is a specific temple image at wat phra kaew, so what ur seeing in markets are just reproductions of that one statue, not a set of 3. if its the trio u want (emerald, gold, and the one at wat arun maybe?) try the amulet stalls inside chatuchak weekend market, section 2 soi 3ish, they do bronze and resin casts for a few hundred baht. mbk 4th floor also has a couple of religious goods shops that stock proper molded versions, not the tourist plastic stuff.

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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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