Markets
Bangkok doesn't lack for markets, and they are generally the cheapest places to shop.
This doesn't necessarily reflect on the quality of the goods sold either, and some excellent bargains are for the taking in Bangkok if you know where to look.
Chatuchak Market is the largest and probably the best of the lot, but there are many more.
Patpong shopping
The Patpong night market features all the usual Asian knock-offs and assorted tourist goods. Prices are considerably inflated compared to most any other market so be prepared to fight for a bargain.
Despite being one of Bangkok’s original red light districts, Patpong attracts loads of tourists to its market with its vast array of fake designer goods and prices that are hard to beat.
The goods are of decent quality and most people will probably only realise their lacking authenticity on close inspection.
It’s an excuse for the more curious to pop in on the go go bars and ‘ping pong sex shows’ upstairs, most leave them disappointed by the boring shows and expensive beer. Bargaining very hard is essential to get a good deal and the touts for the go-go bars that Patpong is most famous for are persistent, annoying and can be aggressive.
Patpong is between Silom and Surawong roads, and any taxi driver will know it.
Location: Silom & Sathorn
Open daily: 6.00 pm - 1.00 am
Pratunam Market
Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate.
The market is open 24 hours a day with varying offerings, from 9-20 (in reality more like 11-18) the retail shops are open, later on the evening outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come to populate the street sides. It's located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads in the district Ratchathewi.
This is maybe the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak weekend market probably is the low price leader. Other merchandise include watches, handicraft and others.
You can reach the market by BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station; from there, exit down the right-hand stairs, take a right at the next main intersection, Ratchathewi, and walk down Phetchaburi Road until you see Platinum department store, the market is directly across the street from Platinum Fashion Mall.
Or exit at another BTS Chit Lom (Chidlom) station, turn north (right) at the Gaysorn Plaza corner, Ratchaprasong intersection, and walk past BigC and CentralWorld to the next intersection of Pratu Nam. Pratunam market covers the whole area around and behind Amari Watergate and Indra Regent hotels with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the towering Baiyoke Tower II hotels inside it.
If you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the area is very safe unless you do something stupid like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If the area looks unappealing you might consider doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum Fashion Mall.
Location: Patumwan
Suan Lum Night bazaar
Suan Lum Night Bazaar (Subway Lumphini) is a less chaotic option offering much the same fare and then some, including alot of artsy pieces that might actually look good back home. The quality of goods and displays are generally higher than Chatuchak Weekend Market, but so are the prices. However, the stalls are modern, thoroughfares are wider, and there are many good dining options here (see Eat).
A money changer and ATM is located right in the middle of the market area, but it closes two hours earlier than the rest of the market does. The bazaar is open nightly until midnight.
Note: The market is presently under threat of demolition (Still open as of July 09). Check locally.
Location: Silom & Sathorn
Chatuchak Weekend Market
BTS Mo Chit, Metro Kampaeng Phet. Northern Bangkok's biggest draw, this incredibly vast, 35-acre outdoor market has over 8,000 vendors selling anything and everything under the sun. To put that number in perspective, if you browsed each stall each one minute, non-stop for 8 hours on both Saturday and Sunday, it would take you around two months to visit them all! A good rule of thumb is to buy immediately if you spot something interesting, because you will never find the same stall again. The market opens at 7 AM, so get there early to beat the crowds and the heat. Keep an eye on your belongings here as pickpockets work in the crowds, and avoid Chatuchak on rainy days as the roofs and drains here aren't quite up to a tropical downpour.
Location: Pahonyothin
Open: Saturdays and Sundays, 6.00 am - 5.00 pm
Banglamphu Market
The large Banglamphu market extends over Phra Sumen road, Chakrapong road and others nearby.
Despite it's proximity to touristy Khao San road, this is still mainly a market frequented by locals to buy clothes, household accessories etc...There's a separate market on Khao San road itself, which sells anything the foreign backpacker could need including backpacks, stereos, pirate CD's, books, clothes, traveling accessories etc...
Ordinary buses 2, 15, 39, 44, 47, 59, 68, 79 and air-con 3, 9, 11, 39 and 44 all stop on Ratchadamnoen Klang road, just a few minutes walk from either of these markets.
Alternatively, get a taxi to dta-laht bahng-lam-phu (Banglamphu Market) or tanon kao sahn (Khao San road).
Not far away is Bo-Be market, located where Khlong Saen Saep meets Krung Kasem road, a wholesale clothes and textiles market with cheap prices. There are a couple of amulet markets nearby also at Wat Ratchanada (in Banglamphu) and Wat Mahathat (in Ko Rattanakosin).
Across the river from Banglamphu is the Pin Klao - Nakhon Chaisi road area, which has a general market in the area close to the Southern bus terminal ('Sai Tai'). South of here in Thonburi, close to the King Taksin statue roundabout, is another large general market. Tourists are pretty rare in either of these areas.
Location: Rattanakosin
Pak Khlong Talat
Flower Market
Pak Khlong market is a very large and busy wholesale market for fresh flowers and vegetables. Many flower vendors throughout the city buy their stock here at night and sell it on the following morning. It's best to go between 2.00am and 4.00am when boats on the Chao Phraya River and trucks from nearby provinces arrive with large quantities of flowers, vegetables, spices, and fruits. These all are piled high inside the market and along nearby streets, making the market very photogenic, though the smell given off by some off the produce can be quite overpowering.
The market takes place where Khlong Lawt meets the Chao Phraya river, next to the Memorial Bridge on the northeastern edge of Chinatown. To get here, either walk south on Maharat road from Wat Pho, take a river taxi to Tha Saphan Phut or ask a taxi to go to bpahk klong dta-laht (Pak Khlong Market) or sa-pahn put (Memorial Bridge). The wholesale market is mainly near the river, the cheap normal market in small streets nearby.
Ordinary buses 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 21, 37, 42 and 82 all pass nearby. The market is over by about 10.00am.
Very close to here is the Memorial Bridge night market, a large all-purpose market night market with very cheap prices if you bargain.
Location: Chinatown
Bobe Market
Bobe Market is located next to the Khlong Phadung Krungkasem canal and offer clothes, more clothes and even more clothes. Behind the canal, all kind of garments are sewn by hundreds of women and some men. Bobe Market is somehow a little unplanned and large in size, so prepare yourself for some walking. If you are looking for a larger consignment of clothes, this is definitely the place. The fabrics and clothes are often sold by weight. You can go here by canal boat, taxi or tuk-tuk.
Location: Rattanakosin
Klong Toey Market
Klong Toey Market, Klong Toey (just south of Queen Sirikit Convention Center MRT). A huge and surprisingly centrally located definitely off the tourist trail: the stalls sell goods for Thais, at Thai prices.
Open 24 hours, but best experienced in the early hours of the evening.
Location: Sukhumvit
Sampeng markets
Sampeng Market in Chinatown is one of Bangkok's center for gold jewelry and gems. If you are not an jewelry or gem expert, give it a good thought before you purchase anything.
Location: Chinatown
Chinatown food market
Markets, food and all kind of businesses is what you will find in
Bangkok's Chinatown. Chinatown is one of the oldest areas in Bangkok and
the Chinese settled down here about 1780. Yaowarat road is one of the
streets that we recommend you to visit.
Location: Chinatown
Thieves' market (Woong Nakhon Kasem)
The Thieves Market, or Nakhon Kasem, has good prices on antiques, second hand, electronics and many other products and goods. Go there by taxi, tuk-tuk or boat on Chao Praya river.
Location: Chinatown
Noi Market
Off the beaten path, this is mostly a market for locals buying fruit. Nearby is the Sieng Kong Zone, an area with large piles of car parts. It's the oldest spare parts center of Bangkok and you will see plenty of locals working with them.
Location: Chinatown
Pahurat Fabrics Market
An indoor market near India Emporium, but it is hard to find, as you need to walk through other stores to get into it. You will find hundreds of shops inside, selling fabrics in every color, shape and pattern you could possibly imagine. It's the most typical market the Indian neighborhood has to offer.
Location: Chinatown
Chinatown Night Bazaar
located right under the Memorial Bridge near Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market, this cramped night bazaar is a nice walk. It mostly sells clothes and accessories for teenagers. Plenty of colorful lights bright up the place.
Location: Chinatown
Tang To Kang Gold Shop
Chinatown is one of the oldest districts of Bangkok and about 14 percent of the buildings have been designated as historical landmarks. Tang To Kang is one of them, and it's colonial European-style makes it stand out from other buildings in the area.
Location: Chinatown
Wanit 2 Market
Officially a nameless market, it's located on Wanit 2, in front of the Holy Rosary Church. It's nice to sit down on a plastic seat and eat Chinese snacks.
Location: Chinatown