Like many other modern cities, Bangkok has been subjected to a certain amount of homogenization in recent year. Shopping malls have sprung up all around the city and that’s led to the wide availability of the same global brands you might expect to find at home.
For tourists who want to find unique items and souvenirs to remind them of their trip, the solution is to skip the malls and, instead, visit some of Bangkok’s famous night markets. Get ready for a whirlwind of color, music, smells, and tastes. Here are 6 of the best.
Rot Fai Market, Srinikarin
This huge market is unlike any other. It is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 5 pm to midnight, and it attracts a ton of locals and tourists, given it a unique flavor. The market is divided into three main sections:
- Everyday clothes and fashion
- Rare and unique collectibles from all around the world
- Food and snacks
All three sections are worth visiting whether you’re in the market for furniture, a funky t-shirt, or just a tasty sampling of street food.
Asiatique: The Riverfront Night Market
The Asiatique Market is located on the banks of the Chaopraya River, and the proximity to the water gives the whole market an ambience that’s both romantic and relaxed. This market is a great choice if you’re traveling with your family due to its abundance of clean bathrooms. In addition to a wide array of restaurants featuring every kind of cuisine imaginable, you can also watch Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and the well-known Thai puppet show, which plays at the Joe Louis Theater.
The best way to get to Asiatique is to take the water shuttle, which is a unique experience in itself. You can catch the shuttle at Sathorn Pier. It runs every 15 minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm.
Patpong Night Market
If you’re not traveling with kids and you want a glimpse of Bangkok’s famous Red Light District, then try Patpong Night Market. It’s open from 6 pm to 1 am every night except Monday, and it’s known for the wide availability of designer knock-off merchandise. It definitely draws a diverse crowd of tourists. If you want to stock up on souvenirs, then bring your haggling skills and head to Patpong for a night of bargain hunting.
Patpong is located right next to SalaDaeng BTS Station, making it easy to get to from anywhere in the city.
Siam Night Market
If you want an opportunity to mix with a wide cross-section of Bangkok natives including everyone from teenagers to business professionals, check out Siam Night Market. This market is located very close to the Siam BTS Station near one of Bangkok’s busiest streets.
The market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 pm to 11 pm. Before you head to the market, slip into one of the many restaurants in the area to enjoy a delicious meal. Then, put on your bargaining hat and head to the market.
The best items to buy at Siam Night Market are clothing and accessories, and there’s something for everybody. This market has a lot of stalls packed into a small space, but if you don’t mind throwing a few elbows to get through the throngs it can be a lot of fun to visit.
Khaosan Road Night Market
Khaosan Road Night Market is a mecca or international tourists and backpackers. It has a young, cool vibe that makes it different from any other market.
Khaosan Road Night Market is a great place to find hip clothing of every description – but it’s worth a visit even if buying clothes doesn’t interest you. In fact, this market offers some of the best people watching anywhere in the world. It’s not to be missed.
Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak Market is only open one night a week, Fridays from 10 pm to 4 am. However, it’s also open during the day the rest of the time and it is home to an impressive 10,000 stores of every description. If you visit at night, then you can avoid getting overheated by the sun and instead enjoy a cool nighttime breeze as you browse the market.
The market itself is massive, and you should plan on picking up a map to help you navigate its 27 different shopping zones. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re in the market for clothing, plants, books, or artwork. There’s also an impressive array of food to choose from.
The market is located near the Mo Chit Station and the Chatujak Park Station so it’s easy to reach while avoiding the Bangkok traffic. In fact, you might want to consider spending part of your evening at nearby Chatujak Park before the market opens.
Conclusion
Bangkok’s night markets offer tourists a unique shopping experience. Be prepared to browse and bargain as you take in the city’s nightlife.
Author Bio – Paul Mesh, the author of this article, writes occasionally on behalf of Ferry Samui, a leading ferry agent based in Thailand. If you’re on the lookout for transportation from Bangkok to Koh Samui, don’t forget to visit ferrysamui.com for the best deals and offers.