Joanna James
The enticing smell of flowers and spices, many hues of wares on display, eager shoppers and delicious food combine to make Bangkok's markets enthralling. Markets are always worth discovering and Bangkok's markets make the city of angels what it is.
Arguably, the ultimate market in Bangkok, the Chatuchak Market, is pretty big, and divides into 27 sections. Theere are around 15,000 stalls at Chatuchak Market offering a plethora of goods. You can buy wood carvings, local handicrafts, amulets, garden plants, hill-tribe outfits, paintings, handbags, jewellery and all sorts of Thai designs. The art section of the market is perhaps the best of them all. You can walk amongst some beautiful paintings and even spot some artists working on their pieces. A large number of accommodation options in the city including hotels, resorts and serviced residence Bangkok are located near the Chatuchak Market area. For example, Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok is located under 20 minutes away from the market.
This reasonably new market is located in downtown Bangkok Pratunam. You can access it easily on foot or using public transport. You can find the latest fashion wear, shoes, accessories and handicrafts and even jewellery. There are outdoor bars and live music. Fresh seafood is present in abundance at the Neon Night Market. Old containers have been turned into hip bars, some even with rooftops.
A vibrant, filled with pulsating energy and narrow alleys, Sampeng Market is full of stalls and small stores selling seemingly everything under the sun. It is located in Yaowarat (Bangkok's Chinatown), and has been there ever since the Chinese community settled in the area. The market is full of vendors selling Chinese porcelain, herbs, dried food, tea, silk pajamas, kitchenware, shoes and even electronic devices.
A modern market with a strong hipster vibe – Artbox is mostly filled with shipping containers converted into stalls. The market moves around Bangkok, and they post their location on their Facebook page. The Artbox vibe is leisurely, artsy and slightly bohemian. The market focuses on work by local artists and handmade artefacts. You can buy some handmade bags, jewellery and clothing. There is live music and funky bars. The food is delectable, and the entire setting is appealing. You can feast on gourmet burgers, locally brewed beer and listen to some groovy music.
Many hued, fragrant flowers fill the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market with a sense of exquisiteness, and charm. The flowers are vivid and fruits and vegetables fresh at the market. It remains open 24 hours, but it is at its busiest around dawn and after dusk, when loads of trucks make an appearance with flowers from all over Thailand. While florists flock to the market to buy flowers, some small-scale vendors make garlands of sweet-smelling jasmine for buyers.
Khlong Toei Market is probably Bangkok's biggest fresh food market. This is where you will find gleaming silver fish, crabs, meat and fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. But the vendors don't just stick to fresh produce. You can buy shoes, clocks and clothing too at the Khlong Toei Market. The market begins at 6am daily and goes on until 2pm. The market is usually super busy with locals stocking up on fresh produce, and it is worth visiting just to look around and watch life unfold in all its richness.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
