Joanna James
Bangkok's local markets are some of the city's best retail options for budget travellers but the thoroughfares that open their doors at night serve as dining hubs and a shopper's hotspot. Here are 5-night markets every visitor must explore during a tour of Bangkok.
As one of the most popular retail landscapes on the Bangkok riverside, Asiatique is arguably one of the finest shopping hubs in all of Bangkok. Serving as both a mall as well as a night bazaar, the venue is open from 4 pm to midnight and is just a 10-minute stroll away from the Saphan Taksin BTS station. Home to a whopping 1500 shops and nearly forty restaurants, this night market is contained within the confines of a massive warehouse compound. Ideal for spending an evening shopping and dining, Asiatique is one of the more high-end thoroughfares in Bangkok as the vendors and stores are not mere pushcarts and kiosks.
Open to the public from 9 pm to 3 am, the Chatuchak Friday Night Market is a must-visit venue for bargain shoppers who are in search of tasteful souvenirs, clothing, accessories and food items for reasonable rates. Not to be confused with the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the Friday incarnation of this popular bazaar is less crowded and home to fewer stalls but offers tourists a more relaxed and tranquil atmosphere overall. Located on Chatuchak Park, the Chatuchak Friday Night Market is also a great place to grab dinner for those based at Citadines Sukhumvit 23 Bangkok or any others staying in Bangkok serviced apartments on short stay leases.
Occupying pride of place down Sirindhorn Road in Bang Phlat, Bangkok, the bustling Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Night Market is open only from Thursday to Tuesday from 4 pm to 11 pm. Closed to shoppers on Wednesday, the locale takes Bangkok's nocturnal retail landscapes to the next level with a much more organized layout with designated shopping and dining areas. Complete with contemporary artwork and a modern feel, the market's has been built with the principle of " nothing is useless' so many of the decorative elements at the Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Night Market are made from recycled materials.
Regarded as a must-shop destination once the sun goes down, the Patpong Night Market is a haven for budget shoppers looking for big discounts in Bangkok. Chaotic and always busy the market is open from 5pm onwards and closes only at midnight. The market's proximity close to the Bangkok nightlife district brings countless revellers and party-goers to this thoroughfare where haggling is not only tolerated but expected.
Ideally situated near the Lad Phrao MRT Underground Station, the Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada is a massive marketplace lined with more than 1800 shops, restaurants and entertainment-related attractions. Open from 5 pm to midnight, the venue aims to recreate the now-defunct but tourist favourite Sun Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
