Joanna James
As the sun goes down and the darkness descends, Thailand which is bustling by the day hardly sees any change by night as the country’s slew of night markets take over. Join the lively crowds and hit the vibrant streets, browsing through the merchandise galore, to pick up what tickles your fancy.
A 10-minute drive down from Saphan Taksin BTS station, fronting the unruffled waters of the Chao Phraya River is the large open-air mall of Asiatique The Riverfront. The atmospheric night market that comes to life on the former docks of Bangkok is unlike any other night market in the city, which couples both a night bazaar as well as a mall — surely a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in the bustling capital city. Visitors to the market have over 1,500 boutiques and nearly 40 restaurants to complement your shopping experience.
The distinctive night market taking place within the ChangChui Creative Park is no ordinary Bangkok night market and stays true to the overall creativity boasted throughout the rest of the park. As the name gives it away, the huge shell of the Tristar airliner takes centre stage and is what plays host to the market. “The market in a plane” certainly does take Bangkok night markets to “new heights” and offers a unique experience for all the lively shoppers strolling the night streets of the metropolis.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market that comes alive every Saturday and Sunday actually starts welcoming visitors on Friday night, treating you to a delightful after-dark shopping experience to top off your week. Bringing together over 11,000 vendors and 15,000 stalls, it is the largest market in all of Thailand — an absolutely unmissable experience, market hopping in the city of Bangkok. Not only will you be among the first visitors to the weekend-long market, but will also have the luxury of shopping in tranquillity, where the market sees people in droves come Saturday morning.
The 400 metres of the vibrant Khaosan Road in central Bangkok is the city’s night market capital, lined with scores of stalls bursting with merchandise of all sorts with a particular appeal to backpackers. The ambience is clearly vibrant and animated, with a younger crowd strolling the atmospheric street rather than others. Low-key travel shops are ubiquitous throughout the street which draws the market its incredible number of backpackers while the makeshift street food stalls also make up a sizable portion.
Lining the Srinakarin Road, the sprawling open-air bazaar of the Rod Fai Market comes to life in the eastern suburbs of Bangkok. Browse through the traditional clothes galore, authentic souvenirs, and other nit bits and retreat to one of the best hotels in Bangkok, Thailand, such as the lavish Avani Hotels & Resorts, and call it a day.
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.
