Shopping Like a Local in Bangkok

Are you a bargain hunter? Do you like deals and value for money? If so, there is no better place than Bangkok to hone your bargaining skills. Savvy travellers arrive in Bangkok with empty suitcases and leave with full ones. Bangkok is by all means a shopper’s paradise; you can find everything from traditional Thai silk to precious gemstones, clothing, antiques, carved wood, and much more. Bangkok’s authentic markets are a great way to introduce you to Thai culture. 

You can shop for local handicrafts and luxury designer brands on a single shopping trip. The shopping options of this amazing city will leave you in awe. Leaving the gaudy malls behind, head to some of Bangkok’s authentic markets and bazaars. You will find your favourite purchases like Thai silk, traditional jewellery, gemstones, wood carvings, paintings, antiques, and more.

Chatuchak Market
Located near the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit II), Chatuchak Weekend Market is an enormous market popular with tourists and locals alike. Here you will find a variety of authentic Thai handicrafts and contemporary housewares from the One Tambon One Product (OTOP), a project designed to promote cottage industry goods and folk handicrafts in the Kingdom. 

A shoppers’ paradise for browsers and bargain hunters, more than 200,000 shoppers scour the market every weekend for good deals. Apart from selling OTOP products, Chatuchak is home to more than 8,000 stalls selling everything from antiques to pets. Beginning in April 2021, Chatuchak Weekend Market vendors will open their stalls six days a week under an agreement by Bangkok’s City Hall. During the weekdays, stalls will be allowed to stay open until 6 pm, and the closing time will be 10 pm on weekends.

While you are here, brush your bargaining skills, remember you are in the land of smiles; it helps to put on a smile before negotiating. After a day of bargaining, enjoy some authentic Thai food in one of the many open air restaurants or food stalls freshly prepared in front of you. 

Pratunam
If you are looking for traditional Thai silk and other clothing items, head to Pratunam market. The unique shopping complex is designed for those who want a decent bargain, especially on wholesale goods. Most shops here operate as wholesalers; the more you buy, the cheaper it gets. Pratunam has become synonymous with wholesale shopping and bulk buying; you can find a bargain on various goods, from clothing to traditional Thai handicrafts. Sellers usually get their merchandise directly from the factories. If you are lucky, you may find a brand name item selling much cheaper than expected.

Situated at the intersection of Rajprarop Road and Phetchaburi roads, Pratunam exudes with vibrancy. The markets in Pratunam extend onto the street area, where you will find vendors selling clothes, handicrafts, and Thai snacks (Kanom). OTOP products from Thai villages are sold along with silverware and house decorative items as well.

Floating Markets
Nothing compares to a unique floating market shopping experience. Glide through the murky waters in one of Thailand’s floating markets in a traditional Thai long-tail boat. There are many opportunities to shop for tropical fruits, including the all-time Thai favorite durian, vegetables, spices, freshly cooked food, and Thai snacks prepared in kitchens on floating boats. Be prepared for an early start to your day; most floating markets start at 6:00 am and end their day by 11:00 am.

There are several floating markets in Bangkok, the most popular being Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan, Amphawa, Bangnoi, and Bang Phli, among others. Floating markets are pricier than other markets because they get more tourists than locals, so be flexible with your pricing. Be prepared to tug the oars when the price exceeds your range. 

Khao San Road 
If you are visiting Thailand on a budget, the first place locals will direct you to is Khao San. Considered the center of Thailand’s backpacker society, Khao San is rapidly evolving by the day. Located in the vivacious Banglamphu area near the Grand Palace, you will find scores of tourists and backpackers from all walks of life shopping, eating, and sleeping on a budget.

Khao San is an excellent place to bargain for anything, from clothes, hats, shoes, Thai handicrafts, beach wear, and much more. It has an urban aura; you can find scores of bars, restaurants, internet cafes, convenience stores, and money exchange centers. Khao San is also a crossroads for locals and tourists to meet and mingle. Cheap eats, from Pad Thai and omelets to infamous fried insects, can be found along the several restaurants and stalls gracing its renowned street. Despite its urban and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Khao San is not a complete and accurate representation of Bangkok. 

Sampheng
Sampheng is in a tiny jam-packed lane off Ratchawong road in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Its historical heritage dates back to Chinese immigrants settling in Bangkok. History has it that Sampheng had the strange honor of hosting most of the opium dens, gambling houses, and brothels in the city; however, that has now changed. Sampheng market extends northeast of Yaowarat which is Bangkok’s Chinatown. Sampheng is now home to several Thai-Chinese vendors selling everything from souvenirs to trinkets and household goods. Many items, including women’s clothing, shoes, bags, flip-flops, towels, cosmetics, and accessories, are also sold. 

When you cross paths with Sampheng, you will come across several buildings with signs with Chinese characters. Many renovated buildings look similar to those built in China in the 1900s. A walk through Sampheng transports you back in time to China’s golden age. Whether you are looking for a Hello Kitty paper holder or a counterfeit Mont Blanc pen, this is the place to visit.

Suan Lum Night Bazaar 
One of the larger and more famous markets, Suan Lum night market is on Ratchada Road, close to the Lad Phrao MRT train station. Also known as the Bazaar Ratchdaphisek, it is renowned for its 1,800 stalls, shops, and restaurants. The night bazaar is open from 5:00 pm to midnight; several shops stay open until later. 

The market has an interesting mix of products, from chic urban attires to knick-knacks and souvenirs. You will also find vendors selling printed t-shirts, paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings gracing the seemingly endless maze of stalls. Popular entertainment in the bazaar includes Muay Thai matches, also known as kickboxing, live music band shows, and more. 

Dining is a huge part of the night market experience; a wide range of Thai food and seafood restaurants and stalls are available, selling everything from traditional Thai desserts to fresh fruits and skewered meat. A beer garden and several restaurants offering indoor and outdoor seating complement the bazaar.

So there you have it; if you are visiting Bangkok for the first time, venture out of the high-end malls and gaudy designer stores onto the night bazaars and markets for great deals, unique finds, and authentic Thai food which can be found where you’d least expect and shop like a local in Bangkok!