Best Bangkok Markets

 

While Bangkok is quickly becoming one of the shopping capitals of Asia, it’s not solely down to the wealth of mega malls and shopping precincts that now dot the city’s skyline. The true heart and soul of Bangkok shopping has to be its many amazing markets, some of which have been around for a number of decades. OK, they may be hot, humid and sticky, and yes, some are so big and chaotic you can easily end up getting lost in them, but if you only visit the malls and avoid the markets then you are really missing out some amazing shopping experiences.

Within the markets of Bangkok you’ll find almost everything, from boutique fashion to unique furniture, from exotic pets and animals to field-fresh flowers and original art. Not only this, but all at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in the malls. However, it’s not just about the bartering and buying, visiting a Bangkok market is a way of experiencing traditional Thai culture and sampling so of the best local food the city has to offer.
Here are some of our favorite Bangkok markets:
For fresh food check out the Or Tor Kor
Known to be one of the best fresh produce markets in the world, Or Tor Kor is a mecca for any local or visiting chef, and where you’ll find some of the finest fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood in Thailand. Even if you are just a passing tourist it’s still worth a visit, and its close proximity to the Chatuchak Weekend Market means you can easily combine a visit to both in one (shopaholic) day.
For flowers and plants head to the Bangkok Flower Market
With both retail and wholesale fresh flowers available, this is the biggest market of its kind in Bangkok. Best described as a stunning explosion of sound, sight, and smells, a trip around this lively market is a real treat. You’ll find all kinds of flowers, plants, and related items, from classic roses to more exotic orchids, mostly sold in groups of 50 or more and at surprisingly cheap prices. Also known as Pak Klong Talad, this much loved market can be found in the Old City near the Memorial Bridge, just to the south of Wat Pho, making it easy to combine with a visit to some of the city’s historical attractions.
For Antique try the Rod Fai Market
Rod Fai Market has recently moved from its spot by the Chatuchak Weekend Market, across the city to a location by the Seacon Square Mall, in On Nut. Despite this epic move the market has not lost any of its charm or attraction and is still the place to go for antiques, collectables, hip fashion and kitsch furniture. Part outdoor market and partly set within neat quaint shop houses, you’ll also find lots of food, drink and entertainment here, with several bars hosting love music (mostly acoustic sets), and a museum-like collection of vintage cars and motorbikes.
For something different visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Bangkok has a number of floating markets which travel agents, taxi drivers, and tourist leaflets will try to send you too, but there’s only one you really need to visit and that’s the Damnoen Saduak. It’s also the most popular floating market in Thailand, so expect to find lots of other tourists clicking away on their cameras here, but why not? The place has loads of great scenes and photo opportunities, giving you a unique look at the days when Bangkok daily-life was based around its huge network of canals (many of which are now gone). The market is almost an hour outside of the city, so it’s more of a day trip, although there’s plenty of fantastic food available, to make it with your efforts.
For everything else it has to be the Chatuchak Weekend Market
No mention of Bangkok markets would be complete without mentioning the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the largest open air market in Thailand, and one of the biggest in Asia. Its mammoth size and the diverse collection of products available here makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, taking up 35-acrs of space, with over 8000 market stalls and shops, attracting over 200,000 visitors every weekend of the year.

These are some of our favourite Bangkok markets, but you’ll also find notable street markets among busy tourist areas, such as the bustling Patpong Night Market, which cuts through the raunchy gogo bars, the Khao San Road market, where cheesy T-shirts and counterfeit clobber are rife, and the Sukhumvit Road market, stretching from soi 3 to soi 13, selling everything from gifts for you grandma to sex toys and erection aides.