In the capital of Thailand, you can buy absolutely everything; the main thing is to know the places. We have prepared an overview of the most interesting traditional and night markets, as well as unusual floating markets in Bangkok with detailed descriptions and addresses. Follow us, and you will not just go shopping, but embark on an exciting adventure.
Patpong Night Market
Patpong is an interesting “attraction” for tourists and a very contrasting place. Until 5 PM, it is just ordinary and unremarkable streets – Silom Road and Surawongse Road. But after that, within a few hours, this place transforms beyond recognition. The sidewalks are filled with stalls selling souvenirs, jewelry, textiles, shoes, bags, fruits, and other goods. You can also order local dishes that are cooked on-site.
The market is targeted at tourists, and accordingly, prices here are initially very high. Bargaining is not only possible but necessary, as you can reduce the cost of goods by up to 4 times. The market is always lively. After the tour, you can visit a nearby bar; the choice of establishments is huge.
We recommend a great place where you can listen to live music – The Irish Exchange (Convent Road), near Silom Complex shopping center, as well as The Barbican, where you can try local cuisine and spend time in a pleasant atmosphere (address: 9/4-5 Soi Thaniya). Curious travelers here may also be interested in “spicy” shows. It is better to discuss the ticket price in advance, otherwise, you may face an unpleasant surprise later. Patpong Market is located near the Sala Daeng Skytrain station. Hours: 7 PM – 2 AM.
Ratchada-Lad Phrao Night Market
This place can be recommended to those who are interested in antiques and vintage vehicles. At this market, you can find many interesting things – from books, clothes, shoes, and cute souvenir trinkets to bicycles, motorcycles, and cars. Even if you are not in the mood for shopping, we recommend visiting this place out of simple curiosity. Among the variety of things, you might find something unusual, like an interesting accessory that will complement the interior of your home.
Ratchada-Lad Phrao Market is open only on Saturdays. Hours: 6:30 PM – 2 AM. It is located near the MRT Lat Phrao station. You will need exit No. 1.
Khlong Toey Fresh Market
For those who want to see authentic Asia, this market is open daily. Here, they do not try to impress tourists. Everything is as it is. You can see the usual daily life of Thais, where they work, buy food for their homes or their food stalls, cafes, and restaurants. The market is open from 6 AM to 2 AM.
We warn you immediately, there are very bright and intense aromas here, as Khlong Toey Market sells not only fresh fruits and vegetables but also freshly caught fish, seafood, and various types of meat, and even such delicacies as frogs. Prices here are pleasantly surprising, you can’t find lower prices, so if you want to buy inexpensive but high-quality and fresh products, head to the Klong Toey station and Queen Sirikit.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
A rather famous floating market located in the outskirts of Bangkok is Damnoen Saduak. It is aimed exclusively at tourists who come here not only for products and souvenirs but also just to see the local trading system in all its color. They say that it is here that you can see the life of Thais as it was many years ago.
To get to the market, you need to travel more than 100 km southwest of Bangkok. Use bus route No. 78, which starts from the Southern Terminal. The journey to Nakhon Pathom province will take about 2 hours, after which you need to transfer to a bus heading to Samut Songkhram, which passes through the market.
But it is more profitable to purchase a special tour. This will allow you to get to Damnoen Saduak before other groups of tourists, giving you the chance to see the market in all its glory and be the first to buy the desired goods. You can also drive there in rented transport. Damnoen Saduak allows you to buy fresh exotic and familiar fruits (papaya, pomelo, melons, tangerines).
They also sell delicious dishes at affordable prices, which are cooked right before your eyes. Separate from the boats are souvenir shops, the assortment of which, unfortunately, is almost the same. The market operates from early morning when the sun is just rising. Remember that the majority of tourists arrive here by 9 AM, and the canal becomes almost impassable for boats.
Taling Chan Floating Market
There is another unusual floating market near Bangkok, which, undoubtedly, is smaller in size than Damnoen Saduak but will be interesting to those who love tasting Thai cuisine and exotic fruits, which are sold here in abundance. To get to this place (12 km from the city), you can use a bus, personal transport, or the skytrain.
In the latter case, at the “Wongwian Yai” station, you will need to transfer to a taxi, which will take you to your destination in 15-20 minutes. Such a trip will cost 150 baht. If you take the bus, the journey will take at least 1 hour. Fresh fruits, sweets, and original snacks are always on sale, which you must try. Freshly cooked shrimp, crabs, and fish, which are grilled right here, are especially popular.
But be prepared that by noon it will be difficult to find any free place at the tables of the improvised cafes. If desired, for 200 baht, you can get a good foot massage right in the open air, which will relieve fatigue after a busy walk. Taling Chan operates on weekends from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Memorial Bridge Night Market
For tourists who are looking for good deals, it is definitely worth going shopping at the night market called Memorial Bridge. Here you can buy excellent goods at the most affordable prices. It is believed that the local trading stalls are among the oldest in all of Bangkok, which is why they attract many guests. It starts its work at 7 PM local time, and the last stalls close around midnight. The day off is Monday.
The main assortment of goods looks like this: high-quality and cheap clothes (jeans, T-shirts, and dresses), accessories (belts, bags, and jewelry). There are also second-hand pavilions where you can buy previously used items at minimal prices. Therefore, Memorial Bridge is highly popular among Thais.
Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak can compete for the title of the largest market in Thailand and the world. Just imagine: by the most conservative estimates, from 12 to 16 thousand shops, stalls, and pavilions actively offer their goods to tourists! Here you can buy absolutely everything: from “penny” souvenirs to the most exotic representatives of the animal world.
The total area of the market exceeds 141 thousand square meters. And it works only on weekends from 9 AM to 6 PM local time. According to official statistics, up to 200 thousand people manage to visit the market during the day, and the daily revenue often exceeds 700 thousand dollars! Right among the shopping rows, every tourist can order tailoring from any collection of world-famous designer ateliers or buy a ready-made outfit they like.
The assortment of goods looks as follows:
- Shoes, clothes, including national costumes
- Exotic plants and shrubs
- A huge selection of animals
- Dishes, household items
- Jewelry, including those made of precious materials
- Religious paraphernalia
- Antiques
- Books, musical instruments, and art objects, and dozens of other product names
Despite the high popularity among tourists and competition between sellers, here are some of the lowest prices in the whole city. The quality of goods is not affected; it remains consistently high. There is also one important nuance: tourists should be vigilant, as dozens of professional pickpockets operate in the area.
Getting to Chatuchak is easiest by the skytrain, getting off at Mo Chit station and walking no more than 5 minutes at a leisurely pace. Determining the right direction is not difficult – just follow the crowd of people rushing to the market. Many bus routes pass through Chatuchak. You can also easily order a taxi.
Chinatown Market
Chinese goods and souvenirs can be purchased at the Chinatown market. Here you can find absolutely everything: gadgets, souvenirs, household items, exclusive designer clothes, and high-quality fakes of world brand products. There is a wide selection of watches, tools, and jewelry, tea, spices, traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, ready-made medicines, cult items, various types of plants, and many other products. You can also buy items made of Chinese porcelain, sculptures, which are numerous here and sold at ridiculous prices.
The market is located on a large area in the eponymous district. You can get here by taxi, hire a rickshaw (if you know how to bargain, you can reduce the fare), or by boat, docking at the “Tha Ratchawong” shore, from where you need to walk a few hundred meters along the street. Buses numbered 1, 7, 8, 37, 49, and 75 also go to this area. Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (every day).
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