10 Best Street Shopping(Bangkok)
Shopping in Bangkok offers an experience that surpasses the typical day at the mall or a quick scanning through a market. In Bangkok, shopping is an all-day affair that competes with top western standards yet retains the distinctive essence of eastern culture. As you explore the diverse shopping venues, it becomes clear why Bangkok is renowned as a premier shopping destination.
1. Platinum mall
Platinum mall is a 4 storey building with approximately 1,300 shops inside fitted, it is a chatuchak shopping market version but with air-conditioned and malls like feel. The interesting part about this street shopping mall is you can haggle like you do on streets, which is more fun as you save up a lot of money but end up buying in large quantities.
It has a large food court, cafes and fast food joints. There is 4 star hotel Novotel on the top of the mall. This is a heaven for wholesale shopping and has many small compact shops selling mostly women’s clothes and accessories.
Every floor is named by famous shopping centers from around the world, namely Orchard, Nathan, Ginza, Soho, Oxford and Camden.
Lastly, you can buy anything from top to bottom, from children’s wear to men and women’s accessories. You can do a little mix and matching during the browsing session.
2. Chatuchak market
Bangkok is widely known for its famous markets. So, here it is, for all the explorers.
Chatuchak market which was once famous for wholesalers and traders now it is basically a chor Bazaar of India but a better version of it where you’ll can experience variety of shopping products like, clothes, antiques, books, foot wears, furniture’s etc.
The most important is, here we also get pets and pets accessories that are displayed in bulk and all at reasonable rates. This market is only available on weekends from 6 am to 6 pm.
To come here, one should be well versed in all the bargaining skills and smart enough to handle the crowd as the market size is crazy with diverse collections.
Chatuchak is home to 8,000 market stalls which is spreaded over 15 hectare plot. So, if you have one weekend in Bangkok do visit this market, it’ll not disappoint you.
3. Maeklong and Damnoen market
Maeklong railway and Damnoen Saduak market are the traditional and the most famous markets of Thailand that are now famous through social media sites. These are so famous that these two places are always recommended to visit, under 10 best places to visit in Bangkok.These market have gained utmost established popularity and to experience this beauty you need a day trip, which has a particular working day and time from 2 pm to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Maeklong market is a railway market also known as “Pull down umbrella market”, where trains pass trough the narrowest street market on a busy hours. There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and shopping hubs and it is the freshest seafood market in Thailand to explore. Meanwhile, Damnoen is Thailand’s famous floating market, where you can shop from floating boats and shops with lots of products in food, clothing, drinks and gifts in a variety of designs. The best way to start your day for this is early in the morning to avoid the heat and capture the liveliest market with scenic photos and later can hop on to Maeklong market.
4. Chinatown
Chinatown is famous for its hustle bustle and here we get to see some different sides of Bangkok with loads of exceptional Chinese food choices, beautiful and vibrant decor and pleasant Chinese temples, one of the famous temple is Wat Traimit here. This is again the busiest tourist attraction in Bangkok with some of the coolest markets which you would like to add on to the list of 10 best shopping places to visit in Bangkok.
Food here is again for the fearless people, who are fond of trying some unique varieties of seafood and insects. But, make sure most of the food stalls are closed on Monday and start early in the morning the rest of the days.
Strolling through the small alleyways, you could end up in a market, a narrow road with shops, or a bustling area full of street vendors selling all sorts of things.
The heart of shopping in Chinatown is the maze-like Sampeng Lane. There, you’ll see lots of gold stores, as well as bags of roasted chestnuts, sparkly sequins, colorful feather boas, unusual items claiming to increase sexual power, and weapons used in martial arts.
5. Khao San Road
This road in Bangkok is a wide street stretched up to approx 410 meters with large varieties of food carts, bars, restaurants, fascinating nightlife, cafes and massage parlors, also the most interesting market in south-east Asia. Surprisingly, this is also a challenge for faint-hearted people to walk past this road as there are live counters of fried insects for foodies to hog on and savor their taste buds.
To be precise, these are common street food options here. Also, the most famous area for foreigners to meet-up and have the time of their lives.
Adding to this, the place is meant for hardcore shopaholics with good bargaining skills. There is an enormous variety of products like branded clothing, footwear, souvenirs, sunglasses etc.
It is noticeable that the streets are themselves loaded with dancers and street clubbing, making it an interesting place for bachelors and youthful crowds. The best time to visit this Khao San road for a spree is in the evening after dawn.
6. Pratunam market
Shopping in Pratunam market is usually the best place to shop your heart out. As this market is listed in 1 of the best things to do in Bangkok’s busiest area of retail and shopping district. Pratunam market is the largest market for clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories giving it an ultimate experience for tourists all around.
As soon as you enter these narrowed down lanes, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a chaos where people are shouting, bargaining in front of large piles of clothes in between.
It is more than a shopping experience as people are hustling during the rush hours, some are working with sewing machines, some are packing and unpacking. But the best part here is the products are at a cheaper rate and are best for wholesale buying.
For single piece they charge a retail price that too is cheap, so, no bargaining needed. This street shopping gives an absolute stark experience of shopping before the air-conditioned shopping center.
7. Patpong market
The Patpong night market, located in the Silom area of Bangkok, a popular red light district is highly recommended for tourists and is available in the evenings only. It’s a renowned nightlife destination where many tourists both stroll and stay. In terms of lodging, there is a wide range of options available, including mid-range to upscale hotels.
At this market, you can shop amidst the vibrant red lights and discover a diverse array of items, including fashion, souvenirs, and flashy and kitschy items, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
Let me tell you, these mini artifacts are adorable and unique to purchase and can be put as a showcase at homes. Unlike other markets, here there less options for food carts though there are some selling authentic Thai food in the lane.
8. Pak klong talat
Pak Klong Talat is the busiest and the most beautiful flower market in Bangkok, it is located in such a location which is near by to Wat Pho and The Grand Palace. The interesting fact about this location is, it is just off the Chao Phraya river in a historic city stop namely Rattanakosin.
As soon as you enter this aesthetic market you will feel like you are in an ocean filled with scented, fragnant and colorful floors, which you wont be able to resist.
All sorts of species and colors can be found from yellow to very unsual colours which you might not have heard. Pak klong market is a 24 hours market available for wholesalers and consumers, also a lot of hotelers and florist come around to buy these gorgeous flowers on an every day basis.
They do not only sell piles of individual flowers but also garlands for temples and a lot more exciting stuff.
9. Asiatique the riverfront
Asiatique the riverfront is again a popular night market but the major difference here is, it is a mixer of air-conditioned and street shopping giving an ideal exposure to shopaholics, means two of the best shopping experience a night market and a mall combined. These are in a one complex which includes 1500 plus boutiques and 40 plus restaurants.
The shopping starts here around 5pm also you can find every possible thing for yourself and also gifting items for your loved ones with so many other fashionable products because boutiques and other stores has a lot to offer.
You can also count on discovering something delicious to eat, and if that isn’t sufficient entertainment, there are nightly attractions that span from Calypso ladyboy cabarets to traditional Thai puppet performances.
This market in Bangkok stands out as the one where you can easily locate a stall just by consulting a map. Asiatique has been divided into four distinct categories to simplify the search for your desired items, making the shopping experience much more convenient.
9. Asiatique the riverfront
This night market Rot Fai is placed on an abandoned train track, which gives a very convivial atmosphere to mingle in. It is located in the Ratchada area of Bangkok that brings in antique curios and street food delicacies from its original spot to a more accessible area in the city. Ratchada Rat Foi Market features long aisles with central avenues housing antiques, secondhand toys, and quirky collectibles.
Along the edges, you’ll find general market items like clothes, shoes, handbags, and various snack stalls. Towards the rear, there’s a row of bars in VW vans playing a mix of Thai and Western music under fairy lights, creating a friendly atmosphere where conversation flows easily.
Bargaining is customary here, and while prices are generally lower than Chatuchak Market, unique antiques and vintage items can still be relatively pricey.
