People who visit Bangkok will typically shop until they drop, and we’re not against it; of course not. It would be a sin to arrive in Bangkok and abstain from getting your hands on cheap clothing, or Thai handicrafts. However, aside from carrying back shopping bags in your own weight, why not explore other different markets as well? You may or may not have heard of or visited the following ten markets we’re about to introduce, but if you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat, as each market is different from the rest, and have a lot more to offer than an everyday shopping experience!
1⃣ Khao San Road
Photo Credit: Bangkok.comIt’s not called a market, exactly, but what’s in a name when the concept is the same? Commonly referred to as “the backpacker area” in Bangkok with its many budget hotels and bars, Khao San Road is the place you need to go to if you’re looking for good food. There’s not much going on during the day, but once the sun goes down, the people start swarming. Besides massages, shopping, partying, and food, it is also a good place to people-watch. Observe the interactions between foreigners and locals alike, and drink in the lively local atmosphere!
⏰ Opening Hours: 5 pm – 12 am daily
📍 Address: Khao San Road
2⃣ Talad Neon Downtown Night Market
Photo Credit: Shout.sgConveniently located in Pratunam, this happening night market is very near to Platinum Fashion Mall. Visit the mall during the day, and when it closes, all you have to do is cross over to this market, and continue your shopping adventures here! Relatively new, it only opened at the end of 2016, and houses more than 900 food and retail stalls. Compared to most of the other markets, this market is led by the younger generation, which means that they know how to cater to diverse tastes. Stalls adorned with neon lights are organised neatly in rows, and they even have live music performances every night!
⏰ Opening Hours: 4 pm – 12 am daily
📍 Address: Phetchaburi Road between Phetchaburi Soi 23 and 29
3⃣ Patpong Night Market
Photo Credit: Bangkok-InfoGuideUnlike the other night markets, Patpong Night Market is famous for other reasons: it is arguably one of the best-known “red light districts” in Bangkok. If you’re looking for food and drinks, this is not the place as they have few F&B stalls. But if you’re looking for fake goods, this is the place for you. Vendors here will produce catalogues of the fake goods they sell, and you choose your desired items. Once you make your selection, someone will produce the items from somewhere within the market. Also, do not be surprised if you are offered sexual services, massages, or DVDs.
⏰ Opening Hours: 6 pm – 1 am daily
📍 Address: 2 Khwaeng Suriya Wong, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500
4⃣ Chatuchak Weekend Market
Photo Credit: TripSavvy⏰ Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
📍 Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak
5⃣ Jatujak Green Night Market
Photo Credit: Bangkok.comAlso known as JJ Green, this market is Chatuchak’s younger sibling, and is trendier compared to Chatuchak. In terms of location, they’re close to each other as well, so you can visit two markets in a day (if you haven’t spent all your time at Chatuchak already). JJ Green focuses more on vintage and second-hand items, so collectors might be able to find some treasure here. A mixture of permanent shops and makeshift stalls, vintage flea market and local drinking place; JJ Green is a good place to chill!
⏰ Opening Hours: 6 pm – 1:30 am on Wednesdays to Sundays
📍 Address: 1 Kamphaeng Phet 3, Chatuchak
6⃣ Amphawa Floating Market
Photo Credit: DepositPhotosYour visit to Bangkok doesn’t count unless you visit a floating market! Amphawa Floating Market is the second biggest floating market in Thailand, and the most popular one. At Amphawa, you’ll get a very authentic feel of Thailand; according to some tourists, there aren’t many foreign tourists there (yet), so you’ll get to observe Thai tourists just hanging out with their family and friends. An afternoon and evening market, you need to visit Amphawa if you’re a seafood-lover, because they have a great selection of fresh seafood. Eat your way through this 50 km market as they offer various types of food as well!
⏰ Opening Hours: Some say 12 pm – 8 pm, some say 3 pm – 10 pm; Fridays – Sundays
📍 Address: It’s on a river, so just say Amphawa and someone will take you there
7⃣ Changchui Night Market
Photo Credit: Bk MagazineIf you somehow accidentally wander into Changchui Night Market, you’ll know you’re there by one very obvious, impossible-to-miss landmark: an actual aeroplane right in the middle of the market. They call it a night market, but it’s “a chance for the new generation to use their creativity in making a living from single-mindedness, inspiration, knowledge and art”. They have an art gallery, a theatre, a cinema, a co-working space, cafes and restaurants, and a bookstore among other things. It may sound artsy, but it still has plenty of fashion stalls nevertheless!
⏰ Opening Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Green Zone, 4 pm – 11 pm Night Zone; daily except Wednesdays
📍 Address: 460/8 Sirindhorn Road, Bangpld, Bangkok 10700
8⃣ Sampeng Market
Photo Credit: Bangkok-InfoGuide]
Sampeng Market sells trinkets, souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, accessories, and much more, but what’s really interesting is that it’s the place of Yaowarat and Phahurat. Translated, each of those words mean Chinatown and Little India respectively. The Chinese sells gold, whereas the Indian Sikhs deal in wholesale textile imports and exports, so it’s known as Bangkok’s gold and textile hub. With all the excitement going on, it’s only natural to go hungry, so yes, you can fill your belly with Thai, Chinese, and Indian food here too!
⏰ Opening Hours: 10 am – 9 pm daily
📍 Address: Thanon Chakkrawat, Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100
9⃣ Victory Monument Market
Photo Credit: World Of BuzzThe Victory Monument is one of the busiest transportation hubs in Bangkok, as it is the place to be at if you want to travel to other provinces in Thailand. Therefore, traffic will be very busy especially in the daytime. However, it is also one of the best places to shop at, as the stalls here provide fashionable clothing which are of the latest styles and sell them cheaper compared to shopping malls. Of course, besides clothes, you can also find accessories, bags, phone cases and the like here.
⏰ Opening Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
📍 Address: The Victory Monument
🔟 Khlong Toei Market
Photo Credit: Culture TripAs Thailand’s biggest wet market, Khlong Toei is for the adventure junkies who are looking for a little something different. Even though it may not be the most hygienic or aesthetically pleasing place to be at, but it’ll teach you a thing or two about how markets operate in Thailand. You’ll see live produce (squawking chickens, flopping fish), butchered-up meat (piles of intestines, whole goat heads), and fruits and vegetables. Go the extra mile and check out stalls that sell dead rats, and critters to eat such as cockroaches and scorpions! In January 2010, CNN listed it as one of the most authentic markets in Bangkok, as well as a place to avoid when hungover.
⏰ Opening Hours: Wikipedia says 24 hours, other sources say 6 am – 2 am daily
📍 Address: 1 Kasem Pat Road, Khwang Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110
Which market got your attention the most, and will you be planning to visit it? Let us know your thoughts! 😁