Discover eight of the best night markets in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city, offering everything from fake designer goods and vintage clothes through to boutique shops and hipster eateries.
Whenever I visit South East Asia I always have to search out the best night markets. There’s something about the bustle of the crowds, the hawkers vying for your attention, and oh, the amazing street food, that has me hooked.
Shopping after dark has always felt a little exotic to me as I’m used to UK markets, which close way before the sun goes down. So when I think of night markets I think of hot tropical nights, food stalls with plastic chairs, the smell of freshly cooked asian food – even the memory of stinky drains and dingy side streets make me smile, all because to me they all equal being on holiday.
Every Asian trip I’ve taken has involved a night market at some point: Hong Kong, Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and most recently, Bangkok.
Bangkok’s night markets don’t disappoint – unsurprisingly, Thailand’s capital has a myriad of night markets taking place on different days across the city. Each market is unique, meaning there’s something for everyone. There are the classic street markets with their designer knock-offs, souvenirs, and ‘Engrish’ slogan tees, the food focused, the quirky, the seedy and more recently the upmarket/hipster vibe has hit the scene.
My latest visit to Bangkok was not my first and so this time round I decided to do some research into the most weird and wonderful night markets Bangkok has to offer. I’d already visited the most well known markets on my first trips, and so asked my fellow travel bloggers what interest night markets they’d visited in Bangkok.
With their suggestions, and my own experiences, I’ve put together this list to eight of the best night markets in Bangkok. We’ve done all the hard research work so you don’t have to – simply pick the one that best takes your fancy and enjoy a fun night out shopping!
Asiatique – The Riverfront
Asiatique is a clean, modern night market that’s more like an outdoor shopping mall than a street market – there’s even an Apple store here! Prices here reflect this, but trght by the river, it has many family-friendly entertainment options, making it a favourite night market for many. It’s somehow combined all sought after types of shopping, eating and entertainment into one gathering spot.
During our visit, shops from well-known brands drew us in and we then spent our time strolling through row after row of bazaar-type stalls, with husbands, wives and kids all finding items to haggle over.
Once the guys had their fill of shopping them happily found a restaurant table and grabbed a beer and something to eat while the rest of us continued shopping. We enjoyed street food prepared before our very eyes, and the kids tried several of the carnival-like rides. While we didn’t get round to visiting the puppet theatre or cabaret, nearly all of us piled into the Asiatique ferris wheel which gave us incredible night views of Bangkok’s high rises.
The whole evening was topped off with delicious ice cream before we climbed into our van to head home, satisfied and exhausted!
Asiatique is open everyday from 5pm-12am. It’s located on Chareonkrung Soi 74-76.
Chang Chui Market
A bit further out of town that many of Bangkok’s night markets Chang Chui can be a tough one to reach as it’s not easily accessible via public transport. However it’s something different from the norm. Chang Chui translates as ‘messy artisan’ is considered more than just a market, rather a ‘creative park’, with a huge range of attractions, shops, cafes and eateries.
This isn’t where you’ll find the usual hawkers and their ilk, it’s more upmarket here with designer ‘spaces’ with boutiques, restaurants, speciality coffee vendors etc. Different areas are open at different times – Chang Chui isn’t just a night market, but it had a dedicated night time section with live music, vintage clothes shops and even a retro hair salon.
The cool thing about this market – slap bang in the middle of it is an old airplane, giving the place the nickname of the ‘airplane market’. Used as a sometime restaurant, sometime museum there’s a cute little bar under the fusilage and a curly slide for those who want to release their inner child.
Chang Chui’s night market is open Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sun from 5-11pm. It’s located on Sirindhorn Road, on the Thonburi side of Chaophraya River.
Chinatown
The Bangkok experience is incomplete without visiting one or more of its night markets. During my time in Bangkok, I visited some of the best night markets and Chinatown was my favourite by far, because of the variety of food it offered.
When you visit Chinatown firstly I recommend you stop off at the China Princess Hotel Rooftop Bar to enjoy a drink in this air-conditioned restaurant. This revolving restaurant has a spectacular view of Chinatown and beyond.
Personally, I like Chinatown for its street food market, which comes alive after sunset. Talat Kao is one of the most popular areas to enjoy Chinese delicacies like dumplings, noodles, soups and fresh juices.
My favourite night time spot in Chinatown is Yaowarat Road, which turns into a grand street food market at night. There are several food stalls on both sides of the road offering great dining experiences. The most popular dishes here are dim sum, oyster omelettes, flat noodles in a different broth, plus lots of fresh seafood. For dessert, you can try many exotic fruits, homemade ice cream and fresh fruit juices.
Chinatown’s night market is open everyday and comes to life when the sun goes down. It’s located Yaowarat Road.
Khao San Road Market
Khao San Road is known as the entertainment centre for tourists, and is where most backpackers stay when they come to Bangkok. It’s nighttime that this big street and its surrounds come to life – not only are there loads of bars and restaurants there’s also a street market where you’ll be able to get all the usual tourist tat – fake goods, souvenirs etc, as well as try ‘exotic’ food like insects on sticks.
It’s totally focused on tourists, and could be considered a little tacky, but well worth a visit just once. Grab yourself a cheap massage, a bucket of beer and a tasty pad thai while picking up some Thai presents to bring home for the family…
