Bangkok Markets - An Overview of Bangkok's Most Popular Markets

The total number of markets in the Thai capital has already exceeded a hundred. The main mass of sellers and buyers are indigenous people from villages and small settlements. The most popular markets in Bangkok are Chatuchak and Patpong.

These bazaars are "for tourists": neat and clean, with no shocking scenes or super exotic goods on the shelves. It is convenient that most markets are close to metro stations. And even if you do not intend to shop, it is still worth going to at least one market in Bangkok for a unique experience.

Floral

The Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market is perhaps one of the most colorful places in Bangkok. The thousands of stalls here sell only flowers. A large part is taken up by wholesale outlets: for ridiculous prices you can buy whole bags of insanely beautiful lilies, orchids, etc.

It is near the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Memorial Bridge.

Unlike Chatuchak, it is not a spontaneous market: the outlets are located on two floors of a three-story building, and the overall atmosphere is quite calm. Pak Khlong Talad is open 24 hours a day; but it is most striking for tourists after 6 p.m. When evening comes to Bangkok and the heat gradually subsides, the delightful scents of flowers can be heard long before one approaches the market.

It is at night here, as in Patpong, you can leisurely stroll through the rows and stores, choosing "your" flower and enjoying the delicate scents given by the Thai nature. Even the budget tourist will not leave here empty-handed: bouquets of 50 roses go for an average of 30 baht, and paper envelopes with orchids - for 20 baht.

Will not be bored here and lovers of exotics: among the usual chrysanthemums and lilies, the shelves lurk rare flowers, common only in some provinces of Thailand.

Address: 239 Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200,Thailand

Grocery

Most of all in the Thai capital, of course, grocery markets. There are bazaars built especially for tourists: here you can easily buy a set of products for every taste. But most of the markets are very exotic places, where you can get close to the exotic Thai cuisine.

In such outlets for a few baht you can buy a lot of gastronomic curiosities, but do not forget to try before you buy. The taste of some Thai products may come as a real shock to you.

The largest and busiest food market is Klong Toi Fresh Market. Like many markets in Bangkok, it is open 24 hours a day. But unlike Sunam Lum or Patpong, it is not a night market.

It's best to come here in the late morning or near lunchtime, when all the vendors have had time to display their wares on the shelves. In the central sections they sell juicy meat (they also cut it up right next to the counters), and in the next row - fresh exotic fruits, on which the dew is still dry.

By the way, in some places you can not only taste the unusual gifts of nature, but also ask to make fresh juice. Even an experienced tourist can discover new tastes here.

Address: Soi Rong Ngan Yasup, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand

Suan Plu Market has a mesmerizing atmosphere. Here you can feel the national color most vividly, because Suan Plu is a place where not tourists, but locals do the shopping. If you want to get to know Bangkok from within, you are welcome to this market. Many Thais prefer to eat here. For 35 baht you will not only be treated to fragrant noodles but also told the secrets of Bangkok.

The work schedule of this market is quite unusual for Bangkok: only 12 hours from 10:00 to 22:00.

Another amazing food market in the capital is Or Tor Kor. According to tourist guides, it is the fourth-largest fresh food market in the world. It is located next door to the large Chatuchak market.

It sells literally everything: seafood and meat, fruits and vegetables, as well as a very huge assortment of flowers. Or Tor Kor is also a great place for a hungry tourist. In addition to the stalls, there are many food outlets where you can try exotic snacks and unusual desserts.

Address: 139/4 1, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Open

Before you go shopping in Bangkok, you should familiarize yourself with the opening hours of the markets. For example, Chatuchak is a weekend bazaar and Patpong is a night market. But there are also places of trade that are open every day. Among the most popular is the Vang Lang market.

It is located in a cozy alley near Siriraj Hospital. Van Lang welcomes tourists with a wide range of fashionable clothes and Thai technology at ridiculous prices. But the highlight of this market is the national street "fast food": the aromas of roasted pork and sweet coconut pancakes waft from all sides.

It also sells such exotic delicacies as sea cucumbers, deep-fried scorpions and soups of rotten sea crabs.

One of the busiest parts of the city is Bangkok's Chinatown, or Yaowarat, where there are many impressive markets. One of the most striking is Sampeng Bazaar. A century ago this was not a market, but a huge center for drug trafficking.

But now Sampeng is famous for its rich selection of Thai fabrics, jewelry and all kinds of souvenirs. The rows are lined with "snack bars on wheels.

This market is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Address: Yaowarat Rd, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

A curious place to visit is Rod Fai (Railway Market) in Bangkok. It sells not only trinkets in the open air, but also collectibles, like in Patpong. Here you can find antique furniture and furnishings, unique costumes in the style of hippies and much more.

The huge area is divided into several dozen sections. Three of them sell stylish clothes; there is also a small car market. It's probably the only place in Thailand where a '50s Cadillac is sold next to rare leather goods.

Floating

Bangkok's floating markets are one of the must-visit places in the city. Here everyone feels away from civilization and can fully immerse themselves in the local culture. In the capital of Thailand there are several markets on the water, which specialize in different types of products. Now you can even buy a special excursion tour by boat through the different river bazaars.

Damnoen Saduak is where all the Thai guidebooks bring you, because famous scenes from the James Bond films were filmed here. This is the place where tourist boats and maneuvering boats with delicacies and souvenirs mingle.

In Damnoen Saduak, there are popular floating stores with fresh fruit. The best way to get here is to take a bus tour (an hour from downtown Bangkok).

Address: Tambon Damnoen Saduak, Chang Wat Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand

Amphawa is the second most popular floating market in the Bangkok area. Unlike Chatuchak and Patpong, almost all visitors here are native Thais. It is located not in the city itself, but 50 km from the capital, on the site of a small village.

On large wooden boats here sell huge squid and shrimp, fresh fruit and drinks. Along the canal there are cozy cafes with traditional Thai cuisine, wooden stores with souvenirs and sweets; vendors with carts offer fragrant ice cream.

Wholesale

Retailers from all over Thailand come here - the prices at the wholesale markets are really amazing. And tourists are pleased with the fact that the wholesale in some outlets start from 2 goods. The most "promoted" market in Bangkok is Chatuchak.

Just imagine, the total area of the bazaar is more than 140 thousand square meters. To prevent tourists from getting lost among the rows, free market cards are handed out right at the entrance to Chatuchak. In one weekend this place is visited by about 200,000 people. In one day to get around this wholesale market is unreal. Therefore, the entire area is divided into thematic zones.

Tourists usually come to Chatuchak to see animals (sections 8-9, 11-13), handmade furniture and interior (sections 1, 3-4, 7-8), ceramics (sections 15, 17, 19), and of course to expand their culinary horizons in local mini-cafes (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26).

Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road

Pratunam market is much smaller than Chatuchak, but only here can you buy brand-name clothes and fashion accessories for a few baht. Along the sidewalks are hundreds of stalls with quality and inexpensive products.

Address: Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400

Officially the stores are open from 9:00 to 21:00, but some close after 17:00.

Nightly

When darkness falls in Bangkok, there is a lot of activity. Many shopping malls remain open until 10 p.m., but the bazaars are sometimes open until 4 a.m. The most popular night market in Silom is Patpong Night Market. It is surrounded by nightclubs, restaurants and hotels.

But in Patpong you rarely see locals among the buyers. The prices here, compared to the wholesale market Chatuchak, are several times too high. Although, of course, Patpong deserves tourists' attention as a center for selling gadgets and technology, pirate movies and unusual clothes.

Address: Patpong Soi 1, Bangkok

An unforgettable night shopping experience is a stroll along Kaosan Road. This area is youth-oriented, with trendy trinkets, original souvenirs and T-shirts with inscriptions on all sides.

Unlike Patpong, there are also Internet cafes, banks, and convenience stores.

Address: Khao San Road, Phranakorn, Bangkok