Market shopping in Thailand
-
A
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market seems to unite everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. JJ, as it’s also known, is the ideal place to finally pick up those gifts for people back home, not to mention a pretty item or two for your own home. The market is roughly divided into thematic sections, the best guide to these being Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok. Because Chatuchak is a Thai institution, food also plays a significant role, and there are numerous drinks and snack vendors, and several good restaurants on the outside edges of the market. Plan to spend a full day, as there’s plenty to see, do and buy. But com…
reviewed
-
B
Amulet Market
Catholics with their parade of saints and protective medals will recognise a great kinship with this streetside amulet market. Ranging from pendant-sized to medallion-sized, prá krêu·ang (amulets) come in various classes, from rare objects or relics (like tusks, antlers or the dentures of abbots) to images of Buddha or famous monks embossed in bronze, wood or clay. Itinerant dealers spread their wares on blankets along the broken pavement across from the temple, and more-permanent shops proliferate in the sunless alleyways along the river. Taxi drivers, monks and average folk squat alongside the displays inspecting novel pieces like practised jewellers. Mixed in with …
reviewed
-
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
The most famous of the floating markets – the one you’ve seen photographed hundreds of times –is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. You can hire a boat from any pier that lines Th Sukhaphiban 1, which is the land route to the floating market area. The going rate is 150B per person per hour, but you’ll need to haggle to get it. The 100-year-old market is now essentially a floating souvenir stand filled with package tourists. This in itself can be a fascinating insight into Thai culture, as the vast majority of tourists here are Thais, and watching the approach to this cultural ‘theme park’ is instructive. But beyond the market, the residential canals are quite peace…
reviewed
-
C
Pratunam Market
The city's biggest wholesale clothing market, Pratunam is a tight warren of stalls trickling deep into the block. In addition to cheap T-shirts and jeans, luggage, bulk toiletries and souvenirs are also available.
reviewed
-
Don Wai Market
Not technically a swimmer, Don Wai Market claims a riverbank location in Nakhon Pathom Province, having originally started out in the early 20th century as a floating market for pomelo and jackfruit growers and traders. Like many tourist attractions geared towards Thais, the main draw here is food, such as fruit, traditional sweets and Ъèt pálóh (five-spice stewed duck), which can be consumed onboard large boats that cruise the Nakhon Chaisi River (60B, one hour). The easiest way to reach Don Wai Market is to take a mini-bus (45B, 35 minutes) from beside Central Pinklao in Thonburi.
reviewed
-
Nonthaburi Market
Located a short walk from Nonthaburi Pier, the northernmost extent of the Chao Phraya Express boats, this is one of the most expansive and atmospheric produce markets in the area. Come early, as most vendors are gone by 9am.
reviewed
-
D
Pak Khlong Market
Every night this market near the Chao Phraya river becomes the city's largest depot for wholesale flowers. Arrive as late as you're willing to stay up, and be sure to take a camera, as the technicolour blur of roses, lotuses and daisies on the move is a sight to behold. During the day, Pak Khlong is a wholesale vegetable market.
reviewed
-
E
Phahurat Market
If it sparkles, then this market has it. Phahurat proffers boisterous Bollywood-coloured textiles, traditional Thai dance costumes, tiaras, sequins, wigs and other accessories to make you look like a cross-dresser, a mŏr lam (Thai country music) performer, or both. This is cloth city, and amid the colour spectacle are also good deals on machine-made Thai textiles and children’s clothes.
reviewed
-
F
Ratchada Market
Most night markets are dominated by knock-off Vuitton but this one fancies vintage and Vespas instead. In Thailand, Vespas were once only workhorses used to deliver bolts of linoleum, but a boho crew of Thais have joined the global trend of outfitting these retro scooters as portable fashion accessories and this weekly flea market is both their supply house and showroom.
reviewed
-
G
Vespa Market
Uniting urban cowboys, hip-hoppers, wannabe mods and pissed-off punks, this expansive outdoor market is a virtual melting pot of Bangkok youth subculture. The original emphasis was on vehicles, and you can still find heaps of vintage Vespas and Lambrettas, Volkswagens and Austin Minis for sale or show betwixt quirky T-shirts, used sneakers and modern antiques.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Banzaan Shopping Plaza
Banzaan has two faces. There are the tumbledown shopping stalls with your garden-variety knock-offs and handicrafts if you’re into bargain hunting, and the newly built fresh market. It’s a posh version of a traditional Thai market, with a terrific seafood selection, a food court upstairs and just enough funk to satisfy the soul.
reviewed
-
I
Khlong Toey Market
This wholesale wet market, one of the city’s largest, is inevitably the origin of many of the meals you’ll eat during your stay in Bangkok. Get there early, and although some corners of the market can’t exactly be described as photogenic, be sure to bring a camera to capture the stacks of durians or cheery fishmongers.
reviewed
-
Soi 16, Th Charoen Krung
This ancient fresh market splays along the cramped alley between Th Yaowarat and Th Charoen Krung. It’s fascinating, but anyone who suffers even the mildest form of claustrophobia should not contemplate it. North of Th Charoen Krung funerary items for ritual burnings dominate the open-air stalls.
reviewed
-
J
Saphan Phut Night Bazaar
On the Bangkok side of Tha Saphan Phut, this night market has bucket-loads of cheap clothes, late-night snacking and a lot of people-watching. As Chatuchak Weekend Market becomes more design oriented, Saphan Phut has filled the closets of fashion-forward, baht-challenged teenagers.
reviewed
-
Amulet Market
If you need a charm to stop bullets or even a set of pre-owned dentures, wander through this streetside market catering to fate and fortune and the ability to alter the two. The amulet market begins on Th Maharat and follows the narrow soi that lead to the river.
reviewed
-
K
Sampeng Lane
This wholesale market runs roughly parallel to Th Yaowarat, bisecting the two districts of Chinatown and Phahurat. Pick up the narrow artery from Th Ratchawong and follow it through its many manifestations – from handbags, homewares, hair decorations, stickers, Japanese-animation gear, plastic beeping key chains.
reviewed
-
L
Chiang Mai Night Market
Chiang Mai Night Market is a fresh-food market that's particularly busy with locals shopping for takeaway Thai and northern Thai food. A night food market then sets up across the street next to the moat and stays open past midnight.
reviewed
-
M
day market
The quiet west coast features some of the best seafood on Samui. Na Thon has a giant grocery and a day market – it's worth stopping by to grab some snacks before your ferry ride.
reviewed
-
Chatuchak Weekend Market
You’ve got to see it to believe it: this market is a veritable village of vendor stalls selling clothes, decor, junk and collectibles. It is the number-one shopping destination in the city despite the heat and crowds.
reviewed
-
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar specialises in modern Thai souvenirs, clothes and handicrafts. Highlights among the 3700 stalls are handmade jewellery, one-of-a-kind designer T-shirts and a unique furniture and home decor section.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Talat Thiphanet
Talat Thiphanet is a large municipal market that offers all manner of goods and sees surprisingly few tourists. A great place for a find. If you're after greenery the Chiang Mai Plant Market is just up the road.
reviewed
-
Night Market
Chumphon’s night market is excellent, with a huge variety and good street lighting. Come for the delicious food and linger for good photographs. Two other markets run during the day.
reviewed
-
O
Talat San Pakoy
Talat San Pakoy is a low-key municipal market that offers all manner of goods and sees few tourists. San Pakoy opens around 4am and does a brisk trade until around 10am.
reviewed
-
P
Day Market
This market near the town centre traces its history back to the days when pirates, Indians, Chinese, Malays and Europeans traded in Phuket. You might still find some fabrics from Southeast Asia, though it mostly sells food now.
reviewed
-
Q
Downtown Plaza Market
Ramshackle stalls with a host of fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, sweets and spices. Comes complete with all requisite market aromas, from sweet to funky.
reviewed
