Bangkok Markets

Despite the presence of way too many glittering new shopping malls, Bangkok is still a city of markets. There are markets in just about every neighborhood, and some have become so famous that they draw customers from all around the city, as well as international visitors. Here's a list of the more interesting markets that you may want to work into your visit:

Chatuchak Weekend Market: This massive market is only open on Saturday and Sunday. Here you'll find everything from pets and plants to clothes and antiques. The market is open-air, though mostly covered, and can be incredibly hot on even a mild day. The small twisting aisles make it easy to get lost but it's hard to go too far in any one direction before hitting the open center area with its clock tower, or the drive circling the market. The market is ostensibly organized into sections for clothing, pets, furniture, etc. but you'll find anything anywhere. The market is located towards the northern edge of the city center, roughly half way between the old airport and the city center. The best way to get there is by subway to the Kampangphet station.
Garment District: This large rabbit-warren market sells mostly ready-to-wear clothes of the kind mass produced in Thailand. You can pick up clothes very cheaply here, but the styles are generally destined for Walmart. There are cloth and custom shops here as well.
Patpong Night Bazaar: It may seem odd for Bangkok's infamous red light district to be the site of a popular market, but, well, Thailand is full of such contradictions. Beginning around 7:00 p.m. every day, the sidewalks of Silom road as well as Patpong itself are filled with stalls selling clothing, trinkets, music and sundry other items. It can be quite crowded and there are of course a lot of touts on the prowl, so you need to be on your guard.
Asiatique The Riverside: This ambitious project is built in and around the old East Asiatic Company's warehouses, which were first established back in the mid-nineteenth century, although the refurbished buildings date from the early 1900s. It provides a night-time entertainment area with restaurants, shops and a few shows.
Plant Markets: Chances are you won't be able to take anything home from these markets, since most countries won't allow you to bring in plants, but a stroll through one of Bangkok's larger markets for houseplants may still provide some interesting sights.
Railroad Market: The Railroad Market, or Talat Rotfai, is a relatively new option for antique hunters in Bangkok. If you only have time for one of the weekly night markets, this is probably the one to take in.

Bangkok Fresh Markets

Fresh markets can be a feast for the senses. Those really "into" Thai food, or just into food in general, may really find them interesting. While modern supermarkets are quite common all around Bangkok, many Thais still prefer to get fresh produce at traditional markets. The big markets are the most interesting, and there are several that are easy for the independent traveler to find:

Aw Taw Gaw: The Agriculture Ministry's demonstration fresh market is one of the easiest markets to get to, and it's also the one of the nicest fresh markets you'll find in Bangkok.
Klong Toey: The sprawling market next to Bangkok's main sea port sells fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and just about everything else you can think of.
Pak Klong Talat: Right next to the royal city is Bangkok's oldest wholesale fresh market. With lots of fresh flowers and traditional sweets, the market is definitely a feast for the eyes.

In this section

Aw Taw Gaw Farmers Market

The farmers market The Thai Agriculture Ministry's demonstration market is, both literally and figuratively, one of the most accessible fresh markets in Bangkok. Literally in that one exit from the Kampangphet subway station is right inside the market. Figuratively speaking, the market is a lot less dark and grotty than most fresh markets, especially since an extensive upgrade was completed in 2009. In addition, since the Aw Taw Gaw market is right across the street from the Chatuchak market, they're used to the occasional tourist wandering through, so you may see some signs in English as well as some stall owners that have rudimentary English skills.

Bangkok Plant & Flower Market

Street stall selling bonzai trees There are several plant and flower markets around Bangkok. One of the largest and most accessible is on Kampaengphet Road, just a short walk from Chatuchak market, although most tourists never even know it's there. The street itself is lined with small stalls selling bonsai trees, small flowering plants, and even artificial plants. Then there are the two market areas. One is in a large paved lot that also hosts the Railroad Market on weekends.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak market. The weekend market is something of a Bangkok institution. It has a reputation for having just about everything you can imagine on sale (which it deserves) at cheap prices (a reputation it doesn't necessarily deserve). The market is near the northern edge of Bangkok, but thanks to the subway opened in 2004, it is very accessible to visitors. The Kampangphet subway ('Metro') station has one exit right inside the market.

Klong Toey Fresh Market

Tom Yum spices on sale in the Klong Toey market The Klong Toey area of Bangkok is known for several - somewhat inter-related - things. Firstly, the district is home to Bangkok's biggest slum. It's also Bangkok's main sea port. This is where a great many goods are bought into the country. Some of those goods reportedly get, shall we say, "lost", on their way to the distributor and then later turn up at the district's sprawling market.

Pak Klong Talat - Bangkok's Wholesale Fresh Market

A stall selling lots of fresh asparagus Pak Klong Talat is one the oldest fresh markets in Bangkok, and still one of the main wholesale markets for fresh fruit and vegetables. The name translates as "canal mouth market", which is a straightforward description of the market's location on the Chaophraya River at the point where the "Lord" canal empties into it, just outside of the royal city area. The market dates from the earliest days of Bangkok, when it first became the new Thai capital in the late 18th century.

Railroad Market

The Railroad Market, or Talat Rotfai, is a relatively new option for antique hunters in Bangkok. If you only have time for one of the weekly night markets, this is probably the one to take in. Retro 60's furniture on sale in the Railroad Market The market occupies a large paved area and old warehouses on the edge of the Bang Sue rail yard, about a five minute walk from the Kampaengphet subway station (see map below).

Ratchada Saturday Night Market

Note: Sadly, the Ratchada Saturday Night Market is no more. The land it used is slated for development and there is no other suitable space nearby. If you were interested in this market, the Railroad Market is very similar. Every Saturday night, many Bangkok residents flock to what can only be described as a good old fashioned swap meet. As the sun starts to set, cars, trucks and vans jockey for the best spots to set up shop in the vacant lot on the corner of Ratchadapisek and Ladprao Roads, next to the big subway parking garage.