 Thailand is a paradise for shoppers. Bangkok beats Hong Kong and Singapore for deals in terms of handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery. art and antiques. Nowhere else will you find the same selection, quality and prices.
Fixed prices are the norm in department stores. but at most other places bargaining is a common practice and prices may be reduced by as much as thirty percent. Courtesy at all times is appreciated.
Shopping in Thailand is an adventure in itself. From modern department stores and shopping plazas, to flea markets and road-side stalls where bargaining is obligatory, even visitors with the greatest will-power will no doubt find something to their liking.
Shopping streets
Bangkok has many shopping streets, where you can buy just about anything from clothes, souvenirs, all kinds of antiques and electrical goods. Generally you can obtain a final figure ten-to-thirty percent lower than the original asking price. Much depends upon
your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. With patience, and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price. |
 Patpong Night Market (Patpong Road)
Apart from the colourful night life, where an amazing variety of bars, clubs, discotheques and other exotic venues exist, there is a pulsating night market to attract all-night revellers. This is where you can buy clothing and souvenirs of all kinds. Patpong's lively night market spills over on to Silom Road in one of the city's main commercial districts.
Hotels In Patpong |
 Soi "Lalai Sap"
This is one of Bangkok's most popular lunch-time shopping areas, located next to the Bangkok Bank headquarters on Silom Road. Starting just before noon, and closing not long after lunch breaks on weekdays only, the market is packed with office workers who shop for clothing, leather goods, food, gifts and knickknacks.
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 Siam Square (Rama I Road)
This area is brimming with restaurants, including the trendy Hard Rock Cafe; cinemas, book shops and specialty store. There is also a street market selling clothes and accessories. This area is most frequented by
teenagers.
Hotel Near Siam Square
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 Pratunam
Located on the intersection of Phetchaburi and Ratchadamri roads, this vast bazaar is jam-packed with stalls and countless peddlers which attract large crowds. This is where you can buy fabrics and ready-to-wear fashions. Also of interest here are open-air restaurants, a shopping complex and the soaring Baiyoke II Tower, the tallest apartment building in Southeast Asia.
Pratunam Hotels
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 Bang Lamphu
A shopping area once frequented solely by local people and now a popular place for tourists. This area offers various inexpensive items, especially ready-made clothes, handbags, men's and ladies' shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended.
KhoaSan Road Hotels
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Khlong Thom
Located near Chinatown, in the area around Mahachak Road and Soi Chong Charoen Phanit, this market specialises in hardware such as wire-cutters, screw drivers, and other kinds of tools. This area also features a market
selling all kinds of antiques and electrical goods. |
 Flower Markets
Flower lovers are recommended to visit the following markets:
1. Pak Khlong Talat: literally meaning "a market by the mouth of the canal", is the collective name for five adjacent markets, which have altogether been transformed to become the biggest and most important wholesale market and distribution centre for vegetables, flowers and fruits. It is located on Malta Rat Road near the Memorial Bridge.
2. Talat Thewet: This can be found off Sam Sen Road, on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Bank. It is a riot of colour which will delight enthusiasts of exotic plants and flowers. It has very large selections of plants suitable for the garden, the verandah and indoors.
3. Suan Chatuchak: This is Bangkok's newest and largest plant market and is located on Phahonyothin Road.
The area consists of rows of small shops offering a variety of decorative potted plants. There are many species of orchids available.
 Chatuchak Weekend Market
This is a large open public ground covering approximately 35 acres bus on Phahonyothin Road. Known as Suan Chatuchak, it hosts the popular " Weekend Market"where people buy and sell a thousand local products. Items range from exotic fresh fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, paintings, ceramics, dress materials, furniture, toys, domestic utensils and pets. There is a particularly fine section for plants. Chatuchak Weekend Market is next to Bangkok's Chatuchak Public Park on Pahonvothin Road, the most popular promenade ground for Bangkok's working class. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 07:00 to 18:00
 China Town
Bangkok's China Town is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat Road and Charoen Krung Road (New Road). There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods including wholesale items such as household goods, stationery, and toys. The area is always lively, and market stalls abound. There is a profusion of gold shops as well as traditional Chinese foodstuffs and restaurants.
Hotel In China Town
 Bo Be Market (Krung Kasem Road)
This is a wholesale clothing market where everything is sold by the dozen. At its busiest in the morning, the market is nevertheless active throughout the day.
Penang Market
Located in the Khlong Toei market area under the expressway, Penang Market offers good value electrical equipment, bedding, clothing, and foreign foodstuffs. |
