Must-see shopping in Thailand

  • Sweet stall, Sunday walking street market.

    Sunday Walking Street

    Chiang Mai

    On Sunday afternoon Th Ratchadamnoen is taken over by the boisterous Sunday Walking Street, which feels even more animated than Th Wualai's Saturday…

  • MBK mall.

    MBK Center

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    This eight-storey market in a mall has emerged as one of Bangkok’s top attractions. On any given weekend half of Bangkok's residents (and most of its…

  • CHIANG MAI, THAILAND - 2006/08/13: The popular walking street market which attracts thousands of locals and tourists each weekend. The market opens in the evening and vendors sell a wide range of goods from traditional produce to pirated DVDs and CDs.. (Photo by Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Saturday Walking Street

    Chiang Mai

    The Saturday Walking Street takes over Th Wualai, running southwest from Pratu Chiang Mai at the southern entrance to the old city. There is barely space…

  • Seenspace

    Hua Hin

    Seenspace is Thailand's first beachfront mall and word is still getting out. A trendy layout of concrete walls and open-air areas comprise food stands and…

  • ICONSIAM

    Bangkok

    This megamall on the Chao Phraya River has six floors dedicated to luxury shopping, encompassing everything from high-end to high street. It also rolls in…

  • Lhong 1919

    Chinatown

    Spanning a group of restored defunct Chinese warehouses on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, this concept shopping complex combines the old-world…

  • Municipal Market

    Mae Sot

    Mae Sot’s municipal market is among the largest and most vibrant we’ve encountered anywhere in Thailand. There’s heaps of exotic stuff from Myanmar,…

  • Kawinthip Hattakham

    Loei Province

    This shop selling Phi Ta Khon masks and other festival-related artefacts makes for a fun browse and is great for unusal souvenirs. It also has bike hire …

  • Siam Discovery

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    With an open, almost market-like feel and an impressive variety of unique goods ranging from housewares to clothing (including lots of items by Thai…

  • Asiatique

    Bangkok

    Considered one of Bangkok's most popular night markets, Asiatique is housed within restored warehouses next to the Chao Phraya River. Expect clothing,…

  • Sarongs

    Khao San Market

    Banglamphu

    The main guesthouse strip in Banglamphu is a day-and-night shopping bazaar peddling all the backpacker 'essentials': profane T-shirts, bootleg DVDs of…

  • Ranida

    Phuket Town

    An elegant antiques gallery and boutique featuring antiquated Buddha statues and sculptures, organic textiles, and ambitious, exquisite high-fashion women…

  • Chandra

    Phuket

    Fashionistas will adore this sparkly, sophisticated Ko Samui–born boutique that captures all that's young and glam about Phuket. Flick through gorgeous,…

  • Siam Square

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    This open-air shopping zone is ground zero for teenage culture in Bangkok. Pop music blares out of tinny speakers, and gangs of youngsters in various…

  • Studio Naenna

    Chiang Mai

    The colours of the mountains have been woven into the naturally dyed silks and cottons here, part of a project to preserve traditional weaving and…

  • Sip Song Naksat

    Nakhon Si Thammarat

    Housed in the lower section of a beautiful, historic, wooden house that is open to visitors, this gift shop is the pick of the ones that line Th Tachang…

  • Siam Paragon

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    As much an air-conditioned urban park as it is a shopping centre, Siam Paragon is home to Sea Life Ocean World, Major Cineplex and Gourmet Paradise, a…

  • Baan Kang Wat

    Chiang Mai

    Though a little out of the way, Baan Kang Wat is worth the trip simply to coo over the cute architecture and picturesque ambience. The open-air artists…

  • Seek35

    Hua Hin

    Seek35 is full of funky take-homes you won't find elsewhere in Hua Hin. Spread across two shops opposite each other at Seenspace mall, one is filled with…

  • King Power Mahanakhon

    Bangkok

    Occupying the first four floors of the Mahanakhon skyscraper, this vast duty-free outlet is run by King Power, a Thai duty-free company that also owns…

  • Hachi Coffee & Bike Shop

    Prachuap Khiri Khan

    Hachi cafe and secondhand shop is a treasure trove of Hawaiian shirts, vinyl and other quirky items that could make cool souvenirs. Grab a coffee and sit…

  • Kinokuniya

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    Managed by one of Asia's best-known bookstore chains, this is Thailand's largest English-language bookshop. There's a vast catalogue of bestsellers,…

  • Heritage Craft

    Banglamphu

    Handicrafts with a conscience: this boutique is an atmospheric showcase for quality domestic wares, some of which are produced via fair-trade practices…

  • Pranburi Old Market

    Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf

    Every Saturday evening, this walking street near Pranburi's train station opens for a relaxing local market with a retro vibe. Old wooden shophouses sell…

  • Emquartier

    Thanon Sukhumvit

    Arguably one of Bangkok's flashiest malls. Come for brands you're not likely to find elsewhere, or get lost in the Helix, a seemingly never-ending spiral…

  • Sueb San

    Khon Kaen

    This cute little shop behind a pan-pipe arch stocks natural-dyed fabrics plus some creative handmade notebooks, postcards, bags and other souvenirs, and…

  • Punchard

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Though pricey, this is the best all-round handicrafts shop in Ubon. It specialises in silks and homewares; many of its products merge old methods and…

  • CentralWorld

    Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi

    Spanning eight storeys of more than 500 shops and 100 restaurants, CentralWorld is one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping centres.

  • Drawing Room

    Phuket Town

    With a street-art vibe reminiscent of pre-boom Brooklyn or East London, this wide-open cooperative is by far the standout gallery in a town full of them…

  • Bar, Talat Rot Fai market.

    Talat Rot Fai Srinakharin

    Bangkok

    The emphasis at this night market is on the retro, from vintage clothes to kitschy antiques. With stalls and food trucks, van-based bars, land-bound pubs…

  • Paya Shop

    Thanon Sukhumvit

    Shop for flat-weave rugs, pottery, reclaimed wood furniture, woven baskets and trinkets sourced by a husband-and-wife duo from Chiang Mai. Most of the…

  • Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the city’s main night-time attractions, especially for families, and is the legacy of the original Yunnanese trading…

  • Ban Tawai Tourism Village

    Chiang Mai Province

    About 2km east of Hang Dong, Ban Tawai is a sprawling, pedestrian-friendly tourist market, with hundreds of small shops selling handicrafts and knick…

  • One Nimman

    Chiang Mai

    Featuring upmarket Chiang Mai clothing, cafes and art, eclectic Nimman also houses an open-air food hall, regular pop-up markets, and even free salsa and…

  • Lemongrass House

    Phuket

    Phuket’s top homegrown all-natural health and beauty producer, Lemongrass has shelves stacked high with moisturisers, body scrubs, essential oils, chunky…

  • River City

    Bangkok

    Several upscale art and antique shops occupy the 3rd and 4th floors of this riverside mall. The vast majority of pieces appear to come from Myanmar and –…

  • Night Market

    Ko Samui

    The island's travelling market takes up the outdoor space behind Central Festival mall when it comes to Chaweng. The popular street market is full of…

  • John Gallery

    Chiang Mai

    Opened in 1980, this place is a warren of paintings on cotton, cards and rocks, often inscribed with feel-good or creative quotes. John also hawks dusty…

  • Island Books

    Ko Samui

    Scouse owner Paul Wotham belongs to a different age; one where people read and loved to wander the isles of a decent bookshop. There may not be many of…

  • Chandra

    Phuket

    Exclusive Ko Samui beachwear boutique Chandra nails the high-end Thai-island look with its breezy style and graphic prints woven into cotton dresses and…