Bangkok markets guide: 10 of the most interesting and best markets to visit in Bangkok Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand has some of the most interesting Bangkok markets on the planet. Within and in the outskirts of this city, you’ll no doubt find the market suited to your touristy needs. Floating markets, secret hidden markets, vintage ones, and colossal ones, you’d be surprised by the variety of marketplaces in and near the city.
Here are our top 10 recommended Bangkok markets for the traveler, the tourist, and the backpacker. Make sure you also bring your camera, because these Bangkok markets are just picture-perfect places.
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market Bangkok
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This is the ULTIMATE Bangkok market. The must-visit market for bargain finds! It is famous for being one of the biggest markets in the entire planet, with a staggering 15,000 booths selling everything under the sun. It is estimated that more than 200,000 shoppers visit Chatuchak every weekend.
Chatuchak is not just your regular Bangkok market. It’s a tourist destination in itself. So even if you’re not planning to buy anything (but it’s impossible to go home empty-handed), you’ll no doubt have fun exploring the booths. While you’re at it, you can purchase snacks and drinks while browsing the goods.
The outdoor market could be a bit overwhelming for its massive size. But do not fret—it is branched off in numbered alleyways, which are grouped in 27 sections.
Board the Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station, take exit no. 1. For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit no. 1). Saturdays and Sundays, 09:00 – 18:00, and Fridays 18:00 – 24:00. Plant sections are also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 07:00 – 18:00.
2. Or Tor Kor Market – Amazing Bangkok food market
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Just next to Chatuchak Weekend Market, Or Tor Kor Market is the haven for chefs and health buffs. Famous for being one of the best fresh markets on the planet, it sells only the highest quality of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus seafood and meat. And the range of the goods is incredible! Fruits of all type and size and the variety of vegetables they sell will thrill you to pieces.
Or Tor Kor Market also sells an ample amount of Thai sweets. Whether you’re on the hunt for the modern or the traditional kind, this market has it: sticky rice, kanom krok (grilled coconut pancakes), kanom bueng (coconut crepes), steamed palm sugar desserts, you name it, they have it.
Other popular buys are custom-cut meats, dried meats, condiments, fresh mackerel. And if you get hungry from all the shopping, then you can hit their food court and enjoy any of the Thai dishes that they offer: pad thai and various noodle soups, braised duck noodles, fried oyster pancakes, and many more.
Opening Hours: 06:00 – 20:00 (every day)
Location: Kamphaengphet Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market
MRT: Kamphaeng Phet
How to get there: Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Exit number three.
3. Damnoen Bangkok Floating Market
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The most popular floating market in the whole of Thailand, make sure you visit at the early hours in the morning when the market is at its busiest and liveliest. This is not in Bangkok, but approximately 2 hours’ drive away. But worth it because this is the floating market. The one featured in books and movies about Thailand. And if you make an early morning start, there won’t be many tourists and you’ll get a deeper sense of the exotic scene. Yes, Damnoen may seem commercialized, but it’s still the best floating market you’ll ever experience.
Boats in Damnoen sell goods that you will also find in Chatuchak Weekend Market. From clothes to toys, to souvenir stuff. But the most popular is the food. Way more delicious. Also, another great thing about Damnoen is it’s highly photogenic. All the exotic colors, the vibrant busy atmosphere, it is almost mandatory to take photos of this wonderful market.
Address: Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi, Thailand
How to get there: Public bus from the Southern Bus Terminal every 40 minutes from 6 am onwards. Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi about 109 kilometers south of Bangkok. The fare is around Baht 50 one way. The most suitable time to be at the floating market is from 8 to 10 in the morning.
4. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
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Now, this market is not exactly in Bangkok—but it is very close, no more than 20km from town and highly accessible: from Wongwian Yai (the last BTS Station on the Silom Line), just take the taxi.
It’s not as popular as Damnoen Saduak, and it is not particularly a tourist destination, but you’ll absolutely be enthralled by the charm of this market. It’s not exactly a floating market per se—yes, there are narrow canals with boats cooking food for customers, but Khlong Lat Mayom is essentially a riverside market.
Similar to other floating markets, Khlong Lat Mayom’s highlight is eating. You sit on a tiny and low wooden stool and enjoy your choice of a dish—noodle soups Pad Thai, Kanom Jeen (cold rice vermicellis) or Hoi Tod (oyster omelet)—from cooked an anchored boat next to your table. If that’s not exotic to you, then I don’t know what is.
Opening Hours: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
How to get there: Take a taxi from Wongwian Yai BTS station… it’s a bit far but should cost 150 baht
5. Rot Fai Market Bangkok
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The huge open-air bazaar Rot Fai Market translates to “Train Market” because it is right next to the train tracks. And this is where you’ll happily find a wide selection of hard-to-find vintage collectibles and memorabilia. From antique furniture to vintage leather jackets, to action figures from Japan from the ‘60s, to French chandeliers, to Coca-Cola items.
The place is divided into three sections, and apart from novelty items from yesteryear, you’ll also find hip and modern apparel, second-hand clothes, vintage electronic appliances and household items. Plus, Rot Fai also boasts of trendy restaurants and bars.
Opening Hours: 17:00 – midnight (Thurs-Sun)
Location: Srinakarin Road Soi 51 (behind Seacon Square)
BTS: On Nut (closest station but still requires taking a taxi). Traffic can be bad on Friday and Saturday nights, and taking the BTS is your best option on those days.
Tel: Srinakarin Rot Fai Market: +66 (0)8 1827 5885, +66 (0)8 6126 7787, +66 (0)8 1732 8778, +66 (0)8 1752 5588, Ratchada Rot Fai Market: +66 (0)92 713 5599
6. Klong Suan 100 Years Market
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Thanks to social media, the hidden gem that is Klong Suan 100 Years Market was finally discovered. This is an absolute one-of-a-kind market—because it also serves as a living museum. It feels like entering a time warp and finding yourself back in the past, browsing through candies and snacks, shampoos, and washing powder from decades ago.
It’s really something as you stroll along endless old-fashioned wooden shops and restaurants with balconies as if you’re Marty McFly in Thailand. You’ll find an old barber shop from 30 years ago—plus Mr. Lee’s Coffee shop, the famous spot that went viral on the Internet for its traditional way of preparing O-Liang coffee. You should recognize the owner, Uncle Lee because his face has been posted both in online and print publications. People take selfies with the famous guy all the time!
Another great way to enjoy this market is to snack on the wide array of food as you browse the vintage stuff. Better if you’re the adventurous type because you can snack on the most unusual-looking food. One must-try at Klong Suan? The barbecued rats. No doubt you’ll have a blast bragging about it back home.
Located outside Bangkok, about 20km past Suvarnabhumi airport.
7. Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada – The Bangkok Night Market
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Just recently opened in December 2015, Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada recreated the popular touristy Sun Lum Night Bazaar that closed several years ago—although the new one has a more modern feel to it.
Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which is split between an indoor and an outdoor shopping area, has more or less 1,800 stalls, shops, and restaurants. The goods sold are your typical bazaar items, like clothes, shoes, souvenirs and such.
The place also offers a variety of entertainment options, including the Playhouse Cabaret Ladyboy Show.
Opening Hours: 16:00-24:00 daily
Location: Ratchada-Lad Prao Intersection
MRT: Lad Prao
Tel: +66 (0)2 938 1471
Website: https://www.facebook.com/suanlumnight
8. Pratunam Market – Clothes, shoes, and accessories market
This is your clothes, shoes, and accessories market. Selling at wholesale prices, Pratunam is a maze of streets and alleyways crammed and overflowing with very cheap items—except single pieces that sell at retail prices.
If you are a fashionista, no doubt you’ll enjoy the crazy variety of clothes her: from sportswear to formal attire, to winter clothes, safari pants, bathing suits, everyday wear, to the most elaborate beaded/feathered/sequined costumes—they practically have everything.
If you wish to escape the outdoor heat, just cross the street to the five-story air-conditioned Baiyoke Tower 1, where you can find the same stuff at Pratunam—plus shoes and accessories too, like belts, bags, faux jewelry, leather totes, baseball caps, and many more.
Open: 24 hours (retail shops open from 10:00am to 9:00pm)
Location: Intersection of Ratchaprop and Petchburi roads to Ratchaprarop Soi 3
9. Sukhumvit Street Market
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Highly popular for its convenience, Sukhumvit Street Market occupies the whole 1-kilometer stretch between Asok and Nana BTS Skytrain stations, right in the very cosmopolitan downtown area of Bangkok. They open every day at dusk until late night, from 5 in the afternoon until 12 midnight, so this market is perfect for last-minute shopping—especially for souvenirs.
The mix of goods here can attract any shopper or late-night strollers. Pirated DVDs, clothes, watches, trinkets, and other very cheap items and souvenirs.
BTS: Nana
Address: Sukhumvit sois 2-12 and sois 3-15
10. Ta Tian Market
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This is basically a secret riverside market. So hidden is this place that most tourists and locals miss the market. Opposite the white walls of the famous Wat Pho, Ta Tian Market is accessible via a discreet door and through a short tunnel. Only the curious ones accidentally venture into Ta Tian.
Beyond the tunnel, you will emerge inside a colossal, busy indoor market with a high ceiling. It actually looks more like a warehouse rather than a market, and you’ll be amazed by the goods inside.
Ta Tian Market sells dried sea products (dry fish of all sizes, colorful dry shrimps), fresh products (from common to the most exotic vegetables), and wholesale cooking ingredients.
Ta Tian looks very old-fashioned, with wooden stalls and hanging fluorescent light bulbs. It also has its own Chinese shrine. Plus, it plays Chinese music all day long, which adds to the exotic ambiance. This place is also ideal for photography.
Address: Phra Nakhon
Helpful articles and blog posts on markets in and around Bangkok.
We only recommend writers and blogs that we read regularly and believe will deliver substantial value to our readers. The following is our top picks of articles we think are worth reading for more reviews and information on some of the Bangkok markets that we mentioned above.
- “Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek” by Khun Wilber Suen or Aroi Makmak
- “Klong Suan 100 Year Market” by Roujak Thai
- “Pratunam Market… a wholesale shopping market in Bangkok” by Wannee of I Am Wannee
- up“Our Guide to Bangkok’s Rod Fai Vintage Market” by Franca of Angloitalian
- “Our Trip to Thailand: DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET (Oct. 29, 2014)” by Fred Hawson of Fred Said: TRAVEL
Interested to check out more of Bangkok’s shopping areas, including malls? You can check our guide for more Bangkok markets, plus malls: Bangkok Shopping Guide, Best Markets, and Malls (Day & Night).
Do you have an awesome link to a relevant well-written article that should be included here? If so, hit us up on Twitter by following and messaging us the link. Looking for the best budget stays in Bangkok? Check out our guide to Bangkok for further information.
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