Bangkok Markets

Even relatively small stores geared to tourists will ship items home for you, they re nearly always reliable but ask for insurance to be included, if you are ordering an item, say a suit, and the store owner asks for a deposit do not be afraid to give it them they will give you a receipt and are honest and will complete your order. In the extremely unlikely event you have any problem with any store owner threaten to call the police or actually call the tourist police that will always resolve the problem. But we can’t say we have heard of anyone who has ever had to do that.

Shopping seems to be an obsession in Thailand and no where more so than Bangkok, a mecca for bargain hunters from across the planet everything you ever dreamed of and many things you never imagined are available in this massive market of a city. Another preconceived notion about Thailand is that all you can buy are dubious $20 Rolex’s and Tom Cruises latest movie for $1, well you can’t walk down the street without falling over vendors selling these items but Bangkok has a million other items for sale such as a real Rolex for a fraction of the cost in the west.

There is every kind of shopping opportunity from little market stalls selling handicrafts the huge shopping malls with all the genuine designer labels to silk kimono’s, exotic perfumes and so much more.
Bangkok stallholders always want to charge as much as they can and will always come down in price if you don’t want to pay that much don’t be afraid to walk away, small shops will also haggle, big stores will give you a discount if you buy several items so don’t be afraid to ask even in the biggest department store if you feel you are spending a lot of money ask to pay less or ask what they will throw in for free.

Street Stalls Everywhere, absolutely everywhere are street stalls set up to sell everything from clothes to furniture and everything in-between real bargains can be had from these sellers and also real rubbish so shop carefully and haggle, its half the fun. These stalls are limited in number during the day because of the sun but as soon as dusk falls the pavements/sidewalks come alive as thousands upon thousands of stallholders hit the streets selling their wares often late into the evening, Even then in some areas as the bars close these stalls transform into bars right there on the street staying open till the early morning, when back come the day shift to start it all over again. Only In Thailand!

Day Markets are usually set up in covered walkway areas between buildings or undercover purpose built areas; they usually open early and tend to sell food, every kind of food imaginable and many that you can’t quite figure out what they are, fresh fish, fresh meat, exotic local fruit, spices, vegetables, cut flowers, Orchid plants for 50 baht, a huge selection at very low prices, stallholders are often keen for you to try a little piece as they usually take great pride in what they sell. Some markets will also sell other goods pots and pans, utensils, bamboo goods, baskets well worth a look around even if you don’t want to buy the sights and smells are what make it worthwhile.

Just a few of many locations, Pratunam Market for clothes Chinatown in the streets (Soi’s) around Yaowarat Road Outside the big temples Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew or Wat Rakhang or the Grand Palace , Thewes Market near to Wat Indrawiharn ask at your hotel for the nearest markets.

Floating market of Damnoen Saduak A complex of canals are transformed every day into a floating market of hundreds of ladies in traditional clothes all vying for the attention of local and tourist buyers, it’s a real spectacle of colour and sound don’t forget your camera for this truly Thai Experience. Location is an hour or so south of Bangkok, the market starts early around 06.00 and ends about10.00 before it gets to hot. Best way to visit is by organised tour easily booked at a local travel agent of your hotel, often combined with a trip to the Crocodile farm or Rose Garden this is about 75 acres of gardens combined with Thai boxing, and sword fighting. For the children’s entertainment there’s an elephant show, there is also a Spa and golf course.

Night Markets Thai’s traditionally like to do their shopping after dark so many night markets also called night bazaar’s are scattered across the city some are ‘local’ and some are local and tourist orientated. All night markets have huge numbers of hot food vendors.

Ask your hotel which are the nearest, below are some of the better known.
Patpong a very busy tourist type market attracts large number of foreign visitors, .Location near Skytrain's Sala Daeng Station, and Bangkok Metro's Si Lom Station.

Khao San Road The ‘backpacker’ street of Bangkok at night is lined with stalls great place for a bargain. open until 01.30 Noted location of the hotel in Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘The Beach’ the street is also lined with bars and café’s catering to the young backpacker crowd. No Skytrain or metro so best reached by taxi.
Memorial Bridge Night Market More a local market than tourist renowned for bargain prices ..by taxi
Pratunam Market If you just cant find time to fit all this shopping in then there’s this market open 24 hours every day known mostly for clothes and fabrics traders from across the world come here to buy. Air con bus 12 or taxi.
Suan Luam Night Market is now closed.