Bangkok doesn't lack for markets, and they are generally the cheapest places
to shop. This doesn't necessarily reflect on the quality of the goods sold
either, and some excellent bargains are for the taking in Bangkok if you know
where to look. Chatuchak Market is the largest
and probably the best of the lot, but there are many more.
Patpong night market is very popular with tourists, but there's no
real good reason why. It's got the same combination of souvenirs, fake brand
name items and cheap clothes as in any tourist area in the city, but prices
are way over the going rate. Bargaining very hard is essential to get a good
deal and the touts for the go-go bars that Patpong is most famous for are
persistent, annoying and can be aggressive. Patpong is between Silom and Surawong
roads, and any taxi driver will know it.
The 24 hour Pratunam market is situated by the intersection of Ratchaprarop
and Phetburi (Phetchaburi) roads, very near to the Amari Watergate hotel.
This is notable as perhaps the best place in Bangkok to buy cheap clothes,
fabrics and textiles - wholesalers and exporters buy here, as well as individual
consumers. The market is not on the main road, look for the entrances that
lead to it behind the shops. The Bai Yoke market in the same area sells
the same sort of thing. As well as the market, there are many clothes and
textile shops in this area. A little down Phetburi road is the Nai Loet
(also called Nai Lert) market, a kind of scaled down Chatuchak. If you've
already been to Chatuchak there's little point in coming here as the goods
on offer are similar, but it's worth a visit if you can't make it up to Chatuchak
market proper. Ordinary buses 2, 11, 23, 38, 58, 60, 62, 72, 93 113, 139,
140 and air-con bus 12 all stop near all these markets.
The large Banglamphu market extends over Phra Sumen road, Chakrapong
road and others nearby. Despite it's proximity to touristy Khao San road,
this is still mainly a market frequented by locals to buy clothes, household
accessories etc...There's a separate market on Khao San road itself,
which sells anything the foreign backpacker could need including backpacks,
stereos, pirate CD's, books, clothes, traveling accessories etc...Ordinary
buses 2, 15, 39, 44, 47, 59, 68, 79 and air-con 3, 9, 11, 39 and 44 all stop
on Ratchadamnoen Klang road, just a few minutes walk from either of these
markets. Alternatively, get a taxi to dta-laht bahng-lam-phu (Banglamphu
Market) or tanon kao sahn (Khao San road). Not far away is Bo-Be
market, located where Khlong Saen Saep meets Krung Kasem road, a wholesale
clothes and textiles market with cheap prices. There are a couple of amulet
markets nearby also at Wat Ratchanada (in Banglamphu)
and Wat Mahathat (in Ko Rattanakosin).
Across the river from Banglamphu is the Pin Klao - Nakhon Chaisi road area,
which has a general market in the area close to the Southern bus terminal
('Sai Tai'). South of here in Thonburi, close to the King Taksin statue roundabout,
is another large general market. Tourists are pretty rare in either of these
areas.
Pak Khlong market is a very large and busy wholesale market for fresh
flowers and vegetables. Many flower vendors throughout the city buy their
stock here at night and sell it on the following morning. It's best to go
between 2.00am and 4.00am when boats on the Chao Phraya River and trucks from
nearby provinces arrive with large quantities of flowers, vegetables, spices,
and fruits. These all are piled high inside the market and along nearby streets,
making the market very photogenic, though the smell given off by some off
the produce can be quite overpowering.
The market takes place where Khlong Lawt meets the Chao Phraya river, next
to the Memorial Bridge on the northeastern edge of Chinatown. To get here,
either walk south on Maharat road from Wat Pho, take a river taxi to Tha Saphan
Phut or ask a taxi to go to bpahk klong dta-laht (Pak Khlong Market)
or sa-pahn put (Memorial Bridge). The wholesale market is mainly near
the river, the cheap normal market in small streets nearby. Ordinary buses
3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 21, 37, 42 and 82 all pass nearby. The market is over by about
10.00am. Very close to here is the Memorial Bridge night market, a
large all-purpose market night market with very cheap prices if you bargain.
