The Best Bangkok Markets You’ve Never Heard Of

There is no such thing as an unknown or even relatively unknown market in Bangkok. 

My son and wife busy in shopping at Pratunam

The unofficial national pastime is shopping, and nearly every bit of sidewalk that sees any traffic hosts several vendors over the course of a day, with shopping in Bangkok ranging in tempo from that of the very quiet and graceful dancer to something more like a full contact sport, depending on where you are and what time of day you are there.

Everyone knows the major shopping hubs in the city like the malls around Pratunam and the sprawling expanse of Chatuchak market, or the shop lined streets on Sukhumvit, but there are a number of markets that the locals intentionally keep to themselves, and it is at these that you will find the best deals on clothing, shoes, luggage, and just about anything else you can imagine (Thailand has a huge manufacturing sector).

Here is a short list of my personal picks of Bangkok markets that remain (relatively) unknown to the tourist.

Ta-Prajam Market

The first market in Bangkok to make my list is a day market (the other two only open at night), and definitely the coolest looking market on the list. Ta-Prajan market is not too terribly far from Khaosan road, which every tourist manages to find easily enough, and very close to Wat Po.

It is tucked away in and behind a host of pharmacies (a strange sort of thing to see in front of a walking market, but not bad for people who want cheap medical supplies) and leads through narrow paths between shops and areas packed with vendors of all sorts to the pier itself (‘ta’ means pier) where you can relax after an exhausting shopping spree with a cocktail and food at one of the restaurants that look out onto the Chao Praya river.  This market gets VERY crowded and would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues to navigate when it is really bustling.

Rajamangala

Night Shopping in Bangkok

The second market is probably the most unknown to tourists: the night market at Rajamangala.  Rajamangala is the national stadium located between Ramkhamhaeng Sois 24 and 26.

An empty lot about twice the size of a football field during the day, this market springs up with a swiftness at around 5 pm, and by sundown is completely packed with vendors of food, clothing, shoes, leather craft, sacred amulets, pet rabbits, and (again) almost everything else you could possibly imagine.  Sometimes during the week, and always on Friday and Saturday, they also erect a stage where they will have a variety show with comedians and electric Morlam (north eastern folk dance music) rockers who can really bring the heat.

Sapan Put

The third and final Bangkok market to make my list is Sapan Put.  Not far from Samut Prakan, it is conveniently located for tourists staying around the Khao San area.  It is also a night market, so don’t bother wandering over there too early in the day.

The market goes up along the river beside the King’s memorial bridge and hosts vendors of all manner of handicrafts and manufactured goods.  Definitely worth a look if you enjoy shopping.

That’s the end of this list, but maybe during your travels you will find new and even more impressive Bangkok markets to add to it, as no trip to the city is complete without at least a little shopping.

Getting around Bangkok with all the stuff you have been shopping for can be a tiresome experience.  Rent a car and driver to have somewhere  to put your bags and for inside information on the best malls and markets in Bangkok.