When it comes to handicrafts, textiles and garments, jewelry, art and antiques, Bangkok will never fail to make it to any shopping guru’s top five list. And so, in order to assist those who have money to spend on their trip to the Land of Smiles, we have our own top five must-shop-in places to assist your appetite for shopping.
These places were chosen for those who are looking for ‘something Thai’ to take on their way back home. We steered away from the upscale shopping centers, so you go home with tons of artistically made products to show your friends back home, without you ending up spending half of your life savings away!
CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
Number 1, of course, is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is most convenient to get to from the Morchit Sky Train station, and two subway stations, Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet . This is said to be Asia’s biggest outdoor market, and by that, you expect to get lost in here; the biggest and the best place in Bangkok to look for just about anything, with market stalls that spread over 35 acres (14 hectares) of Bangkok’s inner northern suburbs.
Chatuchak is yours to enjoy only on weekends. The best time to go there is Saturday early morning, around 8ish. This should give you plenty of time to roam around, when it is not yet unbearably hot, and when there are not that many shoppers yet. We recommend you do not go there anymore, if your only time left is late afternoon on a Sunday, unless you are prepared to just about take off your clothes under the heat, and to get squashed between so many other shopping bodies, trying their best at last minute shopping.
To make the most of your time, list down your top five items of must-sees. It’s best also, if you bring along a picture of those very items to show to sellers as you try to find your way around. Since not everyone speaks English in Thailand, the pictures will save you your breath and your time, trying your darnedest to explain to everyone in your best English what it is you are looking for.
And when it gets too hot outside, you can always traipse down to JJ (Jatujak/Chatuchak) Mall, where you can find some items on sale in an air conditioned, and less crowded shopping environment. Just be prepared to pay a bit more though.
Many orchid lovers from all over visit Chatuchak for its wide selection of Thailand orchids. And to assist shoppers who buy in bulk, they have stores that readily give out certificates/documents so you won’t have any problems at the airport when you fly out with your choice orchids.
And for those buying furniture and other big items, there are numerous forwarding companies such as DHL, on the ready to ship the center table you fell in love with while shopping your way in Bangkok.
A lifesaver when you are out in the middle of Thailand’s shopping jungle: a bottle of water. Never forget to always have one at hand. During the hottest season in Bangkok, which is from February to April, temperatures can get to as much as 35degrees centigrade. For comfort, dress in shorts, or other light clothing. You might want to throw in some sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and flip flops as well.
PRATUNAM MARKET
Our number 2 choice is centrally located, along Phetburi Road. Many wholesalers frequent this place because of its accessibility. It is near Central World, a posh shopping center just opposite the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where former US President Bush stayed during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference in Bangkok in 2003.
Pratunam is where wholesale buyers go for RTWs, fabrics and textiles. If you’re looking for the latest, most trendy and hip designs, or you fancy retro attire, this is the place to be. It is just a walk away from two Sky Train stations, Central Chitlom or Rachathewi.
Pratunam is also mostly an outdoor market, with a few individual shops having air conditioning. Compared to Chatuchak, however, it is less organized. Where Chatuchak has designated places for Thai handicrafts, pets, plants, textiles and fabrics, etc, individual shops in Pratunam sell mostly fabrics and RTWs. But be prepared to find a variety of other goods scattered all over the place.
For comfort, make sure you, again, wear light clothing, and if you’re into flip flops and sandals, by all means, wear them. And like most places in Bangkok, carrying a water bottle around is most wise.
Shops in Pratunam mostly open after 9AM and close around 5-6PM. But don’t fret in case you are still in the mood to shop after 6.Right across Pratunam is the air conditioned Platinum Mall and a few meters away from it, Pantip Plaza. Where the former is a haven of RTWs of all kinds at very cheap prices, especially if you buy in bulk, the latter is a whole building complex of just about every tech gizmo on earth. Pantip is the city’s main computer hardware and software mall, an astonishing hive of high-tech commerce at low prices.
PATPONG NIGHT MARKET
More known to male tourists for its frenetic night fun, Patpong also lures female tourists for its awesome collection of fake but durable designer and signature items such as watches, ceramics and clothes. Also available are DVDs, lingerie, souvenir items from t-shirts to handicrafts and a whole lot of other interesting items.
This market is more often visited by tourists than the locals or expatriates. With its cacophony of neon-lit stands, blaring techno music, beautiful people, and a long stretch of bars lining up both sides of the street, it is a worthwhile destination.
Prices of items in Patpong are much higher than in Chatuchak or Pratunam. So don’t forget to bargain!
SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR
Otherwise known as the smaller and more pricy version of Chatuchak Market, visitors to the kingdom would appreciate the Night Bazaar if they would like to avoid the heat and the crowd that usually accompanies one’s shopping experience in Chatuchak.
Stalls open their doors to eager shoppers at around 5PM and close around 11PM in Suan Lum. It has the advantage of being smack in the middle of downtown Bangkok, next to Lumphini subway station. Mostly, it’s souvenir items shoppers are after, something to remember from their trip to Thailand. But locals and expatriates in Bangkok also frequent Suan Lum for its wide array of local food and local entertainment.
And of course, for those whose visit to Bangkok does not fall on a weekend, Suan Lum provides the alternative for those who would have loved to have the chance to shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market.
For those who would like to savor the fares in both places, they could start their early evening shopping spree at Suan Lum at around 6PM, have dinner after a couple of hours, then head off to the Patpong Night market. The latter is open until the wee hours of the morning, and is just about a 5-minute ride from Suan Lum by taxi. In case shopping goes on until about 1:30, when most establishments around Patpong start closing, there is a McDonald’s at the very mouth of Patpong road, right by the BTS Sala Daeng station that’s open 24 hours, for the not-so-health-conscious.
MBK CENTER (MAHBOONKRONG)
Across Phayathai Road and next to the BTS skytrain National Stadium station is MBK Center, a huge, multi-storey mall thronged with little shops and stalls selling clothes, shoes, bags, sports apparel, and many other stylish yet reasonably priced items. On its upper floors, you can find every phone accessory imaginable, Thai crafts, and on its fifth floor, furniture – the widest selection in downtown Bangkok.
Gold jewelry, set stones and diamonds also abound in MBK, along with silver. This is also a great place to visit if you’re on the lookout for some good leather handbags and luggages.
On one of its upper floors, you can find dried fruits and nuts, along with DVDs of the most recent Hollywood films, soap operas from countries all over Asia, as well as all sorts of TV series from CSI to Desperate Housewives.
Across the road from MBK, is the Siam Square, a whole block of low-rise shops and stalls, full of fashion offerings for the young at affordable prices.
And when you have had your fill of shopping at the MBK, you might be interested to have a look at what’s new among the upscale shopping centers in Bangkok. Just at walking distance from MBK, you have the gigantic Siam Paragon complex. Here you can find the latest from shoe designs by Jimmy Choo to the latest from Maserati and Lamborghini.
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Tags: "CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET", "MBK CENTER (MAHBOONKRONG)", "PATPONG NIGHT MARKET", "PRATUNAM MARKET", "Shopping inbangkok", "Suan Lum Night Bazar"
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