8 best markets in Bangkok – where are they located, what to see, opening hours, map
In the capital of Thailand, you can buy absolutely everything, the most important thing is to know the places. We have prepared an overview of the most interesting traditional and night, as well as unusual floating markets in Bangkok with a detailed description and addresses. Follow us, and not just shopping, but an exciting adventure awaits you.
Patpong Night Market
Patpong is an interesting “attraction” for tourists and a very contrasting place. Until 17 pm, these are just ordinary and unremarkable streets – Silom Road and Surawongse Road, but after, in just a few hours, this place is transformed The sidewalks are filled with stalls selling souvenirs, jewelry, textiles, shoes, bags, fruit, etc. You can also order local dishes cooked on the spot.
The market is focused on tourists, and, accordingly, the prices here are initially very high. Bargaining is not only possible, but also necessary, so you can bring down the cost of goods by 4 times. The market is always busy. After the tour, you can go to a bar nearby, the choice of places is huge.
We recommend a great place to listen to live music – The Irish Exchange (Convent Road), near the Silom Complex shopping center, as well as The Barbican – where you can taste local cuisine and spend time in a pleasant environment (address: 9/4-5 Soi Thaniya). Curious travelers here may also be interested in “spicy” shows. It is better to negotiate the ticket price in advance, otherwise you may be in for an unpleasant surprise later. Patpong Market is located next to Sala Daeng Skytrain Station. Opening hours: 19.00-02.00.
Ratchada-Lad Phrao Night Market
This place can be recommended to those who are interested in antiques, as well as rare vehicles. You can find a lot of interesting things in this market – from books, clothes, shoes and souvenir cute knick-knacks to bicycles, motorcycles and cars. Even if you are not in the mood for shopping, we recommend visiting this place for the sake of simple curiosity. Perhaps, among all the variety of things, you will find something unusual, for example, an interesting accessory that will complement the interior of your home.
The Ratchada-Lat Prao market is only open on Saturdays. Opening hours: 18:30-02:00. Located near MRT Lat Phrao metro station. You will need exit #1.
Khlong Thoey Fresh Market
For those who want to see authentic Asia, this market is open daily. Here they do not try to throw dust in the eyes of tourists. Everything is as it is. Here you can see the usual everyday life of Thais, where they work, buy products for the home or their macaroons, cafes and restaurants. The market is open from 06:00 to 02:00.
We warn you right away, very bright and rich aromas reign here, since the Klong Toi market sells not only fresh fruits and vegetables, but also freshly caught fish, seafood, as well as meat of various varieties and even such a delicacy as frogs, etc. Prices here pleasantly surprised, you simply cannot find it below, so if you want to buy inexpensive, but high-quality and fresh products, then go to the Klong Toey station and Queen Sirikit subway station.
Damnoen Saduak floating market
A fairly famous floating market, which is located in the vicinity of Bangkok, is Damnoen Saduak. It is focused exclusively on tourists who come here not only for food and souvenirs, but also just to see with their own eyes the whole flavor of the local trading system. 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 overcome more than 100 km in a southwest direction from Bangkok. Take bus route number 78, which starts from the South Terminal. You will have to spend about 2 hours on the road to the province of Nakhon Pathom, after which you need to transfer to a bus that goes to Samut Sonkhram and the route of which runs through the market of interest to us.
But it is more profitable to purchase a special tour. This will allow you to get to Damnoen Saduak before other groups of tourists, that is, get the opportunity to see the market in all its glory and become the first buyer of the goods you like. You can also get there by rented transport. Damnoen Saduak allows you to buy fresh exotic and familiar fruits for the Russian consumer (papaya, pomelo, melons, tangerines). They also sell delicious dishes at affordable prices, which are prepared right in front of your eyes. Separately from the boats there are souvenir shops, the assortment of goods in which, unfortunately, is practically the same.
The market is open from early morning, when the sun is just rising from the horizon. Remember that the majority of tourists come 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 inferior in size to Damnoen Saduak, but will be of interest to those who like to taste Thai cuisine and exotic fruits that are sold in abundance here.
To get to this place (located 12 km from the city), it is enough to use a shuttle bus, private transport or elevated metro. 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 go by bus, the journey will take at least 1 hour. Fresh fruits, sweets and original snacks are always on sale, which are definitely worth a try. Freshly cooked shrimp, crabs and fish, which are fried here on equipped barbecues, are in special demand. But be prepared for the fact that by noon it will be difficult for you to find at least one free seat at the tables of impromptu cafes.
If you wish, for 200 baht you will get a good foot massage right in the open air, which will relieve fatigue after a busy walk. Taling Chan is open on weekends from 8 am to 5 pm.
Saphan Phut Night Market (Memorial Bridge)
For tourists who are looking for profit in everything, you should definitely go shopping at the night market called Memorial Bridge. This is where you can buy great products at the most affordable prices. It is believed that the local stalls are among the oldest in all of Bangkok, which is the reason for the interest of numerous guests. He starts his work at 19 o'clock local time, and the last counters 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 trading pavilions where you can buy previously used items at meager prices. Therefore, Memorial Bridge is very popular with Thais.
The world‘s largest market Chatuchak (Chatuchak)
Chatuchak may well compete for the title of the largest market in Thailand and the whole world. Just imagine: according to the most conservative estimates, from 12 to 16 thousand shops, tents and pavilions are actively offering 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 sq.m. 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 amount of daily revenue often exceeds 700 thousand dollars!
Right among the malls, every tourist will be able to order tailoring from any collection of world-famous design studios or buy a ready-made outfit they like.
The product range is as follows:
Despite the high popularity among tourists and competition between sellers, here are some of the lowest prices in the entire city. This does not affect the quality of goods in any way, it remains consistently high. There is one important nuance: tourists should be vigilant, dozens of professional pickpockets are operating on the square.
The easiest way to get to Chatuchak is by skytrain, getting off at Mo Chit station and walking no more than 5 minutes at a leisurely pace. It is not difficult to determine the right direction – just follow the crowd of people who are in a hurry to the market.
Many bus routes run through Chatuchak. You can also easily order a taxi.
Market in Chinatown Chinatown
Chinese goods and souvenirs can be purchased at the Chinatown market. Here you can find absolutely everything: gadgets, souvenirs, household utensils, exclusive clothes from designers and high-quality fakes of world brands. A wide selection of watches, tools and jewelry, teas, spices, ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, prepared medicines, religious objects, various types of plants and many other products are presented. You can also buy products from Chinese porcelain, sculptures, which are numerous here and they are sold at ridiculous prices.
The market is located on a large square in the district of the same name. You can get here by taxi, or by hiring a rickshaw (if you know how to bargain, you can reduce the fare), as well as by boat, mooring off the coast of Tha Ratchawong, from where you will need to walk several hundred meters along the street. Buses numbered 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 also go to this area. Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (every day).