Shopping in Bangkok
Discover 106 markets, shops, and shopping spots in Bangkok, Thailand. From local markets to specialty stores — curated from real traveler tips.
-
Terminal 21
The curvilinear glass-and-steel façade resembles a 21st-century airport. The basement level has a Caribbean theme and is where you will find the gourmet market, take-away food outlets, market-style food vendors as well as banks and bookstores. The ground floor is named Rome, with international and local fashion labels such as Kipling, Fox, CC:OO, Nike, Jaspal, Adidas and Levi's. Paris on M floor takes you to a faux Champs-Élysées. The 1st to 3rd floors are home to smaller shops by local independent labels. Women's fashion is on the 1st floor (Tokyo) and men's fashion is on the 2nd floor (London). The 3rd floor (Istanbul) is for gifts, jewellery, fashion accessories, toys, beauty products and home décor. San Francisco is on the 4th and 5th floors, with more than 50 restaurants and cafés. If you like food courts, head up to Pier 21 on the 5th floor. This is perhaps one of the best food courts in Bangkok for price, taste and variety: dim sum, grilled seafood (fast food style), Hainanese chicken rice, delicious pad thai, roast duck noodles and vegetarian options. Desserts include mango sticky rice, shaved ice dessert and ice creams. SF Cinema City operates an eight screen cineplex on the 6th floor. Two screens have digital 3D capabilities.
-
Emporium
This upmarket mall, with selections of everything in design, including watches, cosmetics and clothes, is the top competitor to Ratchaprasong's Gaysorn Plaza. The lower floors are dedicated to brands like Louis Vuitton and Rolex, but (unlike Gaysorn) it has more affordably priced goods on the upper levels. Kinokunyia book store has a large selection of English language books, including travel-related ones. The top floor is home to one of the nicest cinemas in the city after Siam Paragon (and somewhat less pricey than that one) and the Thailand Creative and Design Center. Emporium also has a popular food court and a good selection of restaurants on the fifth floor. A very upscale happening (and crowd), this place challenges the idea of food courts as being simple places to have a snack after shopping. Park Food Hall serves an extensive three-course meal with wine in a dimly-lit atmosphere. You can also go to the regular food court, which is comparatively small and hidden behind the other restaurants, but cheap and often packed. At peak hours it's difficult to get a seat if you're alone. The prices have been increasing over the past years though.
-
MBK Center
MBK is a vast and always packed shopping centre full of tiny stalls (2,500 of them, to be exact) selling, well, everything. There's a heavy emphasis on clothing, especially the cheap and trendy teen type, but the fourth floor devoted to electronics is Bangkok's best place to buy mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras. Before buying a phone you have to be sure which band supports and which ones your country has. The fifth floor focuses on furniture in the rear, and electronics in the front, including a very large Canon store. Stuff on sale include gold, furniture, food, and a part of the sixth floor has been dedicated to handicrafts and souvenirs. Don't miss the dried fruits and Chinese-style snacks (like pork floss) at Champ on the fourth floor, near the central escalator. The top floor has film theatres and restaurants, and there's a large Tokyu department store bolted on the north side. It is possible to bargain for cheaper prices on some items at some independent shop stalls, especially if you are with a Thai friend or family member.
-
Monk Bowl Village
During the alms ceremony in the morning, in which monks at their temple receive donations of the people, the monks usually carry big bowls for receiving the donations. These bowls are known as 'bat' and have been made by hand for centuries. As factories took over the production of these bowls, most of the communities that made a living of producing them have vanished. An exception is Ban Bat, or Monk Bowl Village, a small alley near the Golden Mount with a couple of families that still make a living with the handicraft of making these bowls. Don't think this is a very authentic experience though — locals don't buy these bowls and once an interested traveller walks in, hunting season has begun. Bowl producers will follow you even outside the compound. That's why a visit can only be recommended for those who are actually interested in buying a bowl (which costs a couple of thousand baht).
Soi Ban Bat -
Plaeng Nam Road
This small commercial road feels like a time machine set for 1914. Residents and retailers have crossed ways here for more than one hundred years. Local merchants here sell products in daily use by Chinese households, such as kitchen equipment, Chinese medicine and medicinal herbs. You can also find local shops selling traditional Chinese musical instruments, as well as lanterns and kerosene-fuelled stoves. These stores did have to adapt somewhat to changing times. The store selling Chinese musical instruments now repairs old instruments and sells equipment for use in shrines. The shops that sell lanterns and kerosene stoves now repair these items brought in by collectors. Commerce at this road never comes to a standstill as dining facilities serve food around the clock.
-
The Palladium World Shopping
The Pratunam Center was a plain and largely deserted shopping mall with a curious mix of pirated DVDs and intricate handicrafts on sale. In 2011 it was sold to a group of investors that redeveloped it extensively for around 5 billion baht, even though the mall was only five years old in the first place. The new mall, renamed to The Palladium World Shopping, looks more professional than before. It has taken an approach largely similar to the Platinum Fashion Mall with long alleyways of stalls with products like jewellery, fashion and souvenirs. Like elsewhere in Pratunam, prices are relatively low and good brands a rarity. It feels less cramped and crowded than other malls in the area, which is a plus, and it has some food outlets as well.
-
Pak Khlong Talat
As Phahurat becomes deserted at night, Pak Khlong Talat just starts to become lively. Not having anything to do with the Indian community, this wholesale flower market is a great stroll through and a highlight in its own right. The endless piles of orchids, roses, and other flowers are an aromatic sight, and there is something to be found for any budget. There are amazingly expensive bouquets for thousands of baht, but also beautifully created roses for just 50 baht. The market is always open, but the best time to visit is around 03:00 when boats and lorries arrive with flowers from the surrounding provinces. If that is too late (or too early), visit it from 20:00 onwards when the market is beautifully illuminated and very lively.
Chakphet Rd 24 hours daily -
Siam Paragon
An incredibly massive shopping mall with no less than ten floors. You could spend a full day here if you wish, as it is not just a shopping complex, but also includes Siam Ocean World, Paragon Cineplex and a floor of dining facilities. Paragon is one of the most upmarket shopping centres in Asia, so expect the usual designer brands (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc), but also BMW and Porsche showing off their newest models. The fourth floor has a very good (if pricey) selection of modern Thai arts and crafts, as well as the large Kinokuniya bookstore. There are some great eating options in the basement, including a gourmet supermarket, two food courts and a canal-lined strip of fancy restaurants.
-
Amulet Market at Wat Mahathat
Right beside the Chao Phraya River is the amulet market, an indoor warren of alleys with dozens of vendors selling amulets, charms, talismans and other religious objects. They come in all shapes and sizes, and represent various Hindu or Buddhist deities. The amulets ward off evil spirits or bring good luck and fortune. Each amulet gives a specific kind of luck, so inquire with the vendor. You can get one for as cheap as 5 baht. Better looking ones cost around 20-100 baht, or as much as you want to spend on it. More amulets can be bought at the street market at Maha Rat Road, where many sellers line up along the pavement. There are also many traditional medicine shops along this road.
Maha Rat Rd 09:00-17:00 daily -
Patpong Night Market
Between the strip clubs and bars along Soi Patpong is the Patpong Night Market, arguably the mostly touristy market in all of Bangkok. It was designed in the 1980s as a modest flea market, nowadays it is probably the most visited (and least interesting) market of Bangkok. It is home to a variety of counterfeit merchandise including watches, clothing, bags, and cosmetics as well as Thai tourist products such as model tuk-tuks and kick-boxing shorts. The prices at this market are exorbitant and anyone brave enough to buy anything here should bargain extensively. Most items available at the Patpong Night Market are available for less than half the price at other locations in Bangkok.
Soi Patpong 1 18:00-01:00 daily -
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
This is a major attraction, with a pleasant and shaded atmosphere. The floating market corresponds to both sides of the Lat Mayom canal on Bang Ramat Road. This relatively new floating market dates from 2004, and is not frequently visited by boats. However, it does have many shop stalls, a small boat museum, several walking paths around the market, small toilet, a few outdoor restaurants and a variety of foods and merchandise for sale. Occasionally, it does feature live outdoor performances by local children or organisations. It is only open on weekends and easily accessible (and used as a prolonged stopover) on some tourist tour boats from Taling Chan Floating Market.
30/15 Moo 11, Bang Ramat Rd Sa Su hols 09:30-16:00 -
Pratunam Market
The Pratunam Market is an immense open-air garment market, and although it is geared towards exporters, anyone can shop here. Most of the items for sale are t-shirts, dresses, shorts, jeans, shoes and accessories. You could easily spend half a day here if you wish, as the area has a stunning amount of more than 4,000 shops. While the market is officially open till 18:00, many shops already close around 16:00. The market spread out on the streets around Baiyoke Tower I, and the ground floor of that tower also has a few clothing shops. In the beginning of the evening, a night market is set-up in the streets along Baiyoke Tower I that stays open until after 02:00.
Phetchaburi Soi 21 09:00-18:00 daily -
Bang Ramat Market
A local outdoor marketplace filled with food, refreshments, clothing, souvenirs and miscellaneous items by various independent local vendors. The market has a variety of clothes for sale, including new, used, Western and Eastern style clothes. Also for sale are CDs/DVDs/VCDs, children's toys, phone accessories, purses, weapons (handguns, hunting knives, ammunition), toiletries, ceremonial gifts, souvenirs and other small accessories. Children can go to the large inflatable playpen. It is popular and well-known by locals, but barely-known or visited by tourists. It is best to visit the market in the middle of the afternoon when it is most lively.
Bang Ramat Rd afternoon-evening daily -
CentralWorld
An enormous complex and the only shopping centre in Bangkok that can give the Paragon a run for the money in both style and size. It is the third largest shopping centre in the world by leasable floor space, and the second largest building in the world if you include the skyscraper on top of it. It's marketed as a middle-class shopping centre with prices cheaper than Siam Paragon. Lots of restaurants make this a good destination for lunch or dinner. The top floor has a supermarket and a multiplex. The large Isetan and ZEN department stores are also included in the complex, as are two book shops and plenty of photo and electronic stores.
-
Asiatique The Riverfront
A newly opened night market and shopping mall. Already among the best areas in Bangkok to go shopping, as it's not too crowded, there is a lot of variety and it has a good mix of foreign visitors and locals. The area is huge and divided in four "districts": the Chareonkrung district for over 1000 small boutiques, the Factory district for upscale clothing and gadgets, the Waterfront district for restaurants and the Town district for bars and outdoor events. It also hosts the Calypso Cabaret and the Joe Louis Theatre. Once this area was an international trading quarter, and Asiatique takes pride in it by having an overdone 1900s theme.
-
Phahurat Market
The first task is to actually find it. It is carefully hidden and you need to walk through a couple of other stores to get into it. Once you're there, you'll definitely know though, as it is a fabrics market on steroids. Thousands of retailers of Indian descent sell fabrics in every colour, shape and pattern you could possibly imagine. Some shops specialise in custom-made wedding gifts, dresses, and souvenirs. This old market is a labyrinth of narrow lanes, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other. It is the most typical market the Indian neighbourhood has to offer and has managed to keep its unique character.
Phahurat Rd 09:00-18:00 daily -
Phra Chan Market
There is a small clothing market. Most t-shirts have a kind of postmodern pop-art style print on them, which are popular with the local art students. There is also women clothing, sneakers, accessories available and many other products. For food, there are simple lunch restaurants inside the pier building, where you can sit right beside the Chao Phraya River. A simple meal and water will cost you only 50 baht. These eateries are mostly used by locals, so bring a phrasebook. A small indoor shopping area can be reached from Maha Rat Road, where you can have American fried rice or get some iced chocolate.
Phra Chan Rd 08:00-18:00 daily -
Bobae Market
Bobae Market is very similar to the Pratunam Market — it's a huge garment market with wholesale prices. You must buy in bulk as that gives the best deals. And just like Pratunam, it has its own Saen Saep Express Boat pier, so it's easy to get to. The nearby '''Bobae Tower''' has 700 shops that sell the same clothes as on the market, but caters to those looking for single items. Prices are somewhat higher, but at least you are able to fit your buys in your suitcase. Not a lot of foreigners know about this place, though Russians seem to have found out about it (as the Russian signs indicate).
-
Indra Square
Indra Square is an indoor shopping mall with more than 300 retail and wholesale outlets. The first floor is mostly about fashion, silk and accessories, and has some fast-food outlets. The clothes here are remarkably cheaper than elsewhere in the city, and unlike City Complex, there is a decent supply for men and children as well. The second floor has a more diverse set of products, including arts, crafts, toys and mobile phones. If you're getting hungry, there's a food centre on the second floor. There are some clothing shops at the ground level of the nearby Baiyoke Tower II as well.
120/126 Ratchaprarop Rd 08:00-20:00 daily -
River City
River City has Bangkok's best collection of antiques, arts, crafts, pottery, ornaments, sculptures, and wood carvings. These are the real thing and priced to match. Real antiques and religious images will require export licences, though the shops can arrange them for you (for a fee). Every first Saturday of the month, a monthly auction of crafts is held at the River City auditorium. One of its interesting stores is Old Maps & Prints on the fourth floor with a fascinating collection of old maps on Thailand and Southeast Asia. Anything over a century old will cost several thousand baht.
-
Silom Village Trade Center
Supposedly the last traditional Thai village on Silom Road, Silom Village is comprised of 15 teak houses as well as three buildings that were constructed in 1908. The compound has been converted into Thai handicraft shops, a restaurant and a hotel. It is a touristy theme market, but still a good place to look for souvenirs, handbags, handicrafts and furniture. However, many items are fakes or reproductions. The hotel costs 1,100-3,500 baht per night. Expect simple rooms for visitors on a budget. There is no breakfast or Wi-Fi included, and the smell can be bad in some rooms.
-
Khlong Lot Night Market
When dusk kicks in, the night market at Khlong Lot is set up. It starts around 18:00, but only gets interesting after 20:00. The market has been at the roads surrounding Sanam Luang for years, but was moved to its present location in 2010 when Sanam Luang was sealed off due to construction work. It's a bit like a flea market as locals put a blanket on the ground and wait for customers to buy their stuff. Expect toys, dolls, pets, shoes, bags, pants, mobile phone chargers, remotes, and other stuff. All the sellers have lamps placed besides their ware so it's easy to browse.
Rachini Rd 18:00-04:00 daily -
Taling Chan Floating Market
This major attraction along Chak Phra canal is held every weekend. It is more convenient than taking a canal trip to Wat Sai and also feels more authentic and fun. It blends a rural market with the canal side way of life. The vendors, who are local farmers, take their products including plants, vegetables, fruits, fish and various kinds of food to this market. There are also floating food shops and a private-run canal tour service for visitors who enjoy the district's canal side way of life. It is accessible by car and bus, not too far from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal.
Chak Phra Rd Sa-Su 07:00-17:00 Free -
The Mall Ramkhamhaeng 3
The Mall 3 is rather generic and uninspiring, and anything on sale here can be found elsewhere in Bangkok (probably for less too). As it opened in 1986, it is obvious that it is older and more cramped than The Mall Bangkapi, but prices are somewhat cheaper. There are only a few escalators, so expect to walk the stairs to get to the upper levels. There are a lot of clothing stores, and clothes always seem to be on sale in the common space on the ground floor. Of course there are also the usual DVD and book stores, and many chain restaurants such as KFC.
-
Lalai Sap Market
This street market caters to the many secretaries and banking employees from the surrounding office buildings in Silom. Its name literally means "vanishing money". There are plenty of goods for sale, including garments and personal hygiene products. Small accessories cost only around 50-100 baht. It's at its busiest around 13:00, when white-collar workers have lunch, so it's best to visit it around that time. It's a good food market too. In the afternoon, you can try the fruits and snacks at the hawker stalls, and in the evening there is ample seafood.
Silom Soi 5 M-F 10:00-15:00 -
Ploenchit Center
Although the name might suggest otherwise, this shopping centre is not on Phloen Chit Road, but can be found at the western edge of Sukhumvit Road. The ground floor has the typical chain stores (Starbucks, McDonald's, Boots), as well as lower-priced clothing outlets, jewellery shops and a supermarket. Most tourists don't make it out this far, so most of the visitors are local office workers from surrounding buildings. The sixth floor is one of the cheaper food courts in the area with a good selection of Thai dishes. It uses with a coupon system.
2 Sukhumvit Rd -
Shaman Books
Biggest bookstore of Khao San Road, very dusty and seems uncompelling, but has the largest collection of used books. It has the typical English language novels and classics, but also, as the name 'Shaman' may suggest, a selection of collection of religion, meditation and culture books. Some shelves have books in Dutch, German, Spanish and Scandinavian languages. A used copy of Homer's "The Odyssey" costs around 150-200 baht. The staff seems uninterested, but you can just browse yourself. They also opened a second branch in Susie Walking Street.
-
Old Siam Plaza
A big shopping centre in a lovely restored European-style building. It is an excellent place to fresh up after long walks as it is fully air conditioned. It has an eclectic mix of products for sale, such as branded and second-hand clothes, gadgets, electronics, handicrafts and gold. For clothes shopping, the ground store is the most interesting with plenty of cheap deals. Upstairs has some speciality wedding tailors and boutiques. Surrounding the shopping centre are stores selling weapons and ammunition, but you must have a license to buy them.
12 Tri Phet Rd 10:00-21:00 daily -
Book Lover
One of the cleaner and more organised book stores in the area. They have a good selection of titles about the history of the countries in Southeast Asia. Of course they also have the usual stack of fiction titles, travel guides and maps. They also have dedicated language sections with books written in Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Swedish and some other languages. The staff are pleasant and more helpful than in other book stores. When you buy a book, they will mark it. At a later date, you can sell it back to them for half the price.
60 Soi Rambuttri Tu-Su 12:00-22:30 -
Pantip Plaza
A six-floor shopping mall devoted to computer gear, famous for its pirated media. The bootleg trade is much more low-key than it used to be, but software and DVDs are still widely available. It is also a good place for digital cameras, gadgets, printers, MP3-players, etc. Test out whatever you are buying as there are lots of flaky goods here. If you want to be safe, buy at the official brand stores, though prices are similar as in Western countries (or even higher!). And keep in mind that warranty is only valid within Thailand.
-
Narai Phand
A Thai handicraft centre partly run by the government offering a wide array of traditional crafts, such as bronze objects, ceramics, lacquerware, silk and woodcarvings. Prices are fairly high and not negotiable, but clearly marked, so this is a good place to see what's on offer and find out baseline prices before hitting the markets. Narai Phand used to be on Ratchadamri Road, but this flagship store was unceremoniously demolished in 2008. Now it has relocated to a smaller location next to the Intercontinental Hotel.
-
Siam Discovery
A newer, more upmarket addition to Siam Center, catering to a slightly more mature audience. Just like its twin mall, most stores are for the fashion savvy, but prices are somewhat higher. This is the only shopping centre in Thailand that offers the official Diesel designer store at the ground floor. Worth a browse is Loft on the third floor, a large and quirky Japanese home decoration store. They have, among many other things, an array of bizarre plush toys on offer. The sixth floor has an EGV Grand Cinema.
-
Wat Sai Floating Market
This floating market along Sanam Chai Canal used to be a popular tourist site for visitors to admire the traditional canal side way of life. Unfortunately, construction of new roads within the area left the floating market abandoned in 1977. It was recently revived, though it does not feel as authentic as it used to. It is still interesting to book a canal tour along this historic waterway, and enjoy the floating market that is crowded with boats that have farm produced products for sale.
11 Moo 2, Ekkachai Rd 06:00-09:00 daily Free -
Esplanade
Seven storeys of phone shops and beauty stores with some cinemas, restaurants (mostly Japanese), cafés and gyms added in-between. The most stunning features here are the ice skating rink and the bowling alley, the only features that differentiate this mall from the others. It is quite unorganised and feels a bit chaotic (in that way, the atmosphere has some in common with Pantip Plaza). All in all, it lacks personality and the only real reason to visit is if you happen to be in the area.
-
Platinum Fashion Mall
A great place for fashion shopping, especially as it is air-conditioned. Many of the 1,300 shops here are also at the Chatuchak Market on weekends. It is particularly interesting for women as the shops mostly sell clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, gifts and make-up. A lot of shops (but not all) are geared towards export and wholesale. There's a huge and very good food court at the sixth floor of the mall. It can get very busy, especially around noon and dinnertime.
-
Noi Market
This market is so off the beaten path, you may not even find your way back. Its hidden location between Soi 20 and 22 gives this market a very local atmosphere. The vendors sell fruit, vegetables, and non-food products from China. Observing daily life here is more interesting than the actual products sold. You might walk through a living room and see more of the peoples' lives at home. Nearby is the Sieng Kong Zone, which can easily be visited from here.
Charoen Krung Soi 20 and 22 -
Siam Center
Constructed in 1976, this four-storey shopping centre is the first of the Siam area. It might feel a little dated compared to Siam Paragon, but extensive renovations keep it colourful, hip and modern. Most of the stores sell fashion, shoes and handbags for trendy teenagers and students. There's also a good range of eating options, including a food court at the fourth floor. A bridge at the fourth floor connects the shopping complex with Siam Discovery.
-
Wang Lang Market
Wang Lang is a small street filled with shops and carts. It is often called the Ladies Market, because the many stores cater to women's clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. It becomes very crowded around 12:00, when the locals come in to have lunch. At that time it might be difficult to find your way around. Wednesdays is the best day to go, as the new second-hand products arrive that day, but the market is busy every day of the week.
Soi Wang Lang, Phran Nok Rd 10:00-19:00 daily -
Central Plaza Pinklao
The largest shopping mall and office tower complex of Thonburi, it includes six floors (with a basement floor) with stores, stalls, restaurants, banks and a karaoke lounge. The Central Department Store is inside and takes up many floors. The other usual chain stores are present as well, as are stores selling books, electronics and clothes. The easiest way to get there is by taxi, but there are also buses and songthaews available.
-
Thieves' Market
It is called the Thieves' Market as many of the goods sold here in the past were stolen. Now it is mostly known for its combination of garage sales, brass ware, blue-and-white porcelain, old furniture and reproduction antiques. Not too interesting for most foreigners, but it might be worth a look just to observe local commerce. Some of its visitors are drawn by the sale of all kinds of musical instruments, from guitars to flutes.
Nakhon Kasem 1 and 2 -
Bamrung Muang Stores
The road along Wat Suthat has plenty of stores selling religious items. Awesome human-sized Buddha images are on sale here, but don't even think about bringing those on the plane. You can also get item-filled buckets here to donate to monks. These buckets contain daily necessities monks might need, such as soap, toothpaste, candles, etc. Be careful when shopping here as the road is lacking a pavement in some areas.
Bamrung Muang Rd -
The Mall Bangkapi
A huge shopping mall that looks like it has just been pumped out of the ground, although it dates from 1994! It looks brand new, shiny white, and boasts four floors with all the chain stores you could possibly imagine. Thais absolutely love it, and flock to it in large numbers, but for travellers it is "been there, done that". All the usual stores are in place, but at least it is a lively area with many commuters.
-
City Complex
While walking along Phetchaburi Road, you definitely cannot miss the enormous six-storey City Complex. It is one of the most popular malls in Pratunam that is specifically marketed towards teenage girls and 20-somethings. Most of the shops are selling fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories, but there are also a few of them dedicated to cosmetics, jewellery and crafts. The fifth floor has a modest food court.
831 Phetchaburi Rd M-F 11:00-21:00, Sa-Su 10:00-21:00 -
Chatuchak Plaza
The two big downsides of the Chatuchak Weekend Market is that the heat is unbearable at times and that it's only opened in weekends. Chatuchak Plaza seeks to combat these complaints: it gives a similar experience as the Chatuchak Weekend Market, but is open every day of the week and is fully air-conditioned. It does a fairly good job, but when walking here you start to miss the chaos of the real thing.
-
Thewet Market
This pot plant market is along the bank of Phadung Krung Kasem Canal. It has plenty of tropical plants for sale, as well as the seeds so you can grow them yourself. You can buy one if you wish, but first check with authorities to see if you are allowed to import them to your country. Even if you're not buying anything, it's still nice to stroll around and see the commercial activity take place.
Krung Kasem Rd Daily, 08:00-18:00 -
O.P. Place
This luxury neo-classical building is a great starting point for your antiques hunt through Silom. There are many floors with different shops selling antiques, carpets, decorations, handicrafts, jewellery, paintings, silk and many other cultural objects. The third floor is an arts and crafts gallery. The whole mall has a high-class atmosphere, so expect truly expensive objects on sale.
30/1 Charoen Krung Soi 38 10:30-18:30 daily -
K-Village
The so-called "lifestyle malls" are the new hype in Bangkok, and the newest one is K-Village, which has been around since 2009. Touted as a "neighbourhood lifestyle mall", apparently this should be a small village where you can meet and know people. In practice, it's just another upscale mall with supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, spas and (of course) a lot of fashion stores.
-
Fashion Island
A large shopping mall that, as the name indicates, mostly focuses on fashion stores. But it's not just clothes, shoes, and design, as there are plenty of books, gems, jewellery and furniture on sale. The usual chain restaurants, cafes and cinemas are also present, as is Robinson Department Store. There's even an amusement park with a monorail running around the mall.
-
Khlong Thom Market
Another one of Chinatown's typical markets, and one of the largest. It is not really one market, but instead a combination of speciality stores and open-air markets. It is mostly of interest if you're looking for low-cost electronics and hardware, such as cell phones, CDs and DVDs, gadgets, household tools, toys, vehicle spare parts, some clothing and small things.
-
The Mall Ramkhamhaeng 2
This complex consists of two separate shopping malls, The Mall 3 on the north side of Ramkhamhaeng Road and The Mall 2 on the south side. Both are connected to each other and the road by an overhead pedestrian bridge. It is a good place to eat. For example, at Home Fresh Mart. There are plenty of chain restaurants too, including McDonald's at the side of the road.
-
Bang Rak Market
A beacon of cheapness among the luxurious hotels in Bang Rak, this is essentially a flower market. There are flowers on sale for all occasions and for every budget, including wholesale prices. There's especially a large supply of orchids and cut flowers. If you're hungry, there's an ample supply of meat, seafood and fruit. Also the usual clothing stalls available.
Charoen Krung Soi 46 06:00-21:00 daily -
Lang Krasuang Market
The name literally means "behind the Ministry" and refers to an area behind the Ministry of Defence on Atsadang Road, which runs along Lot Canal. On sale are military items such as uniforms, territorial defence student uniforms, shoes as well as travelling accessories like tents, sleeping bags and camping pots. There are shops selling musical instruments nearby.
Atsadang Rd 09:00-21:00 daily -
Saphan Phut Night Market
A visit to Pak Khlong Talat can easily be combined with the night market at the Memorial Bridge. This cramped night bazaar is a fun walk through the dark as plenty of colourful lights bright up the place. Expect nothing spectacular though, most of the products for sale are clothing, shoes and accessories, mostly for teenagers, as well as second-hand items.
Tu-Su 20:00-00:00 -
Elite Book House
If you don't have time to go to Khao San Rd, Elite Book House is a worthy (or better) alternative for buying second-hand English-language books. They have all the usual genres, including fiction, non-fiction and travel guides, all for decent prices. They also have smaller quantities of books in Japanese, Thai, Chinese, French, German and Swedish.
-
Rim Khob Fa Books
This is a big and upscale store that looks a lot more professional than the other book stores around Khao San Road. Most of its customers are Thai students who come for the large stock of English-language academic books on languages, arts and history. But they also have plenty of general interest books, such as travel guides and cultural books.
78/1 Ratchadamoen Klang Rd 10:00-19:00 daily -
Or Tor Kor Market
Right next to Chatuchak, far fewer tourists make it to the best place in Bangkok to buy high-quality plants and food produce straight off the farm. Prices are a bit higher than at small neighbourhood markets, because Or Tor Kor is cleaner and its products are better quality. There's also a food market that is definitely worth a visit.
Kamphaeng Phet Rd 06:00-20:00 daily -
Khlong Toei Market
Huge and surprisingly central, this market is definitely ''off'' the tourist trail. The stalls sell goods for Thais, at Thai prices. It is basically a food market with meat, seafood and farm products on sale, accompanied by the usual second hand clothes stalls. It is always open, but best experienced in the early hours of the evening.
Rama IV Rd 24 hours -
Ton's Bookseller
This small book store only has one lane of general knowledge books in English as the left corridor is filled with books in Thai. At least there is a good selection of books on politics and the Thai language, along with cultural, historical and religious books about Thailand and Southeast Asia. Also a small amount of fiction titles.
327/5 Rambuttri Rd 10:00-20:00 daily -
Amulet Market at Wat Ratchanaddaram
Probably the largest religious market of Bangkok with more than one hundred stalls selling everything a good Buddhist would need. You can find thousands of tiny Buddha images here, as well as Hindu figures, in all colours, shapes and sizes. Prices are generally higher than the Amulet Market at Wat Mahathat, but so is quality.
Maha Chai Rd 10:00-17:00 daily -
Fortune Town
Just like Pantip Plaza in Pratunam, but much less touristy, this is one of the best places in Bangkok to buy computer gear. It has an extensive mobile phone section on the second floor and computer sections on the third and fourth floors. The supermarket Tesco Lotus is here, as are many barbers, restaurants and a food court.
-
Bookazine
Another branch of the Bookazine chain, this one right on Khao San Road. Beside English-language books and travel guides, they have a fairly large stock of foreign newspapers and magazines. Also English-language newspapers about Thailand are for sale here. It is only a small shop, so you might finish browsing rather quickly.
-
ZEN
ZEN is the hippest lifestyle department store of Bangkok. It is catering to affluent customers who care about design and don't mind to pay extra for it. The shop looks catchy, colourful and well-designed. Each of its six levels are based on a different theme and product category, such as cosmetics, fashion and sports wear.
-
Central Power Center Huamark
Another ordinary shopping mall, which is quite lively but not as crowded as downtown. It looks a bit old, but is still a nice browse as prices are noticeably cheaper than in The Mall. As usual, most of the products cater to local 20-somethings, including clothes, accessories, bags, beauty products, and mobile phones.
177 Ramkhamhaeng Rd Daily, 09:00-23:00 -
Saphan Lek Market
This cheap market on the banks of Khlong Ong Ang (คลองโอ่งอ่าง) is easily visited together with the Thieves' Market. It feels quite cramped as the shops are congregated around a very small pathway. The products for sale are toys and electronics, such as air guns, video games, camcorders, used cameras and accessories.
Boriphat Rd -
JJ Mall
This large air-conditioned shopping mall is well-developed and looks professional. Each floor has different goods on sale: the ground floor has handicrafts, paintings and home decorations; the first floor has clothing, accessories and jewellery; and the second floor has health products and a large food court.
-
Sieng Kong Zone
The oldest car spare parts market in Bangkok. Here you can get a glimpse of the daily life of the Chinese population. The locals here work in garages or repair cars on the street. You will walk by huge piles of car parts, some of them more than 3 m high. The area is named after the San Jao Sieng Kong temple.
Soi Wanit 2 -
Tokyu
A massive department store that occupies four floors. Every thing you'd expect in a department store is available, including clothes, luggage, shoes, cosmetics, stationery, household appliances and even a supermarket. There's also a great selection of utensils for cooking Thai, Japanese, and Western food.
-
Silom Complex
Silom's largest mall is a bit quiet, but the restaurants and TOPS Supermarket in the basement aren't bad. Central is at the rear of the complex and is accessible at every level of the complex. The top floor of Silom Complex has a large electrical goods retailer and a well-stocked office supplies retailer.
-
Gaysorn
Gaysorn positions itself as Bangkok's premier luxury shopping mall: this is where you can get your fill of Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany. The top floors have a good selection of antiques and Thai handicrafts of high quality, but at fairly high prices too. Most Thais cannot afford these prices.
-
J Avenue
Opened in 2004, this four-story upscale "lifestyle mall" that is typical for the swanky Thong Lo neighbourhood. It is an open-air mall with giant rain trees inside. Its modern architecture and hip designer shops are catering to Thong Lo's Japanese crowd (that's what the J stands for).
323/1 Thong Lo Soi 15 07:00-00:00 daily -
Metro Fashion Mall
This brand new wholesale shopping mall opened its doors in 2009. Its seven floors accommodate 370 wholesale vendors selling fashion apparel, bags, footwear, cosmetics and accessories. There is a food centre on the third floor and a branch of McDonald's on the ground floor outside.
599 Phetchaburi Rd Website -
Ban Mo
Hundreds of shops selling electronics and home appliances. There are numerous repair shops and replacement parts on sale. Counterfeit and pornographic CDs and DVDs galore. There are few foreigners here, most visitors are Thai males looking for cheap electronics and spare parts.
Soi Thip Wari 09:00-17:00 daily -
Peninsula Plaza
Yep, another exclusive shopping centre that caters for moneyed Thais, rich expats and business travellers. The whole exterior has a European feeling. On sale are gems, diamonds, silverware, fabrics, antiques and art. The fourth floor is home to the International Dance Academy.
153 Ratchadamri Rd 10:00-21:00 daily -
Isetan
An institution in Japan, Isetan's Bangkok branch is just as upper class as those found in the motherland. There is also a wide availability of international brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Kinokuniya is one of the better book shops. There's also a Lego section for children.
-
Bonanza Mall
Across the street from MBK Center and connected by walkway on the second floor is the perennially crowded Bonanza Mall. Its warren of stalls offers more of the same as MBK, thus it is popular among students and teenagers looking for hip clothes, accessories and cosmetics.
Phaya Thai Rd 10:00-22:00 daily -
Carpentry and Wood Stores
The northern end of Boriphat Road is lined up with carpentry and wood stores. These are very skilled workers, just take a look at the detailed patterns they create in the wooden doors. Taking one home is probably stretching your airline's 20 kg baggage limit though.
Boriphat Rd 09:00-18:00 daily -
Central Chidlom
The flagship store of the Central department stores and thus it is much more luxurious and prices are higher. Catering to affluent Thais and Western expats, it has good selections of pricey watches, cosmetics and clothes. There are also numerous eating options.
-
The Promenade
The Promenade is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts. It is a three-story shopping mall with a modern and luxury decor. The second floor has a walkway to Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel.
11F, Nai Lert Tower, 2/4 Witthayu Rd 09:00-19:00 daily -
Krungthong Plaza
Krungthong Plaza is another big shopping mall with apparel sold at wholesale prices. The mall has more than 600 shops inside, almost all of them about clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics and accessories. There is an excellent food court on the fourth floor.
-
Johny's Gems
Known among Bangkok's expats as one of the more trusted gem shops. It focuses mainly on rubies and emeralds and has something for all budgets. The original owner, whom the shop is named after, has since died, but the store has been taken over by his son.
-
Chamchuri Square
This shopping mall still feels quite empty and spacious. Clean, modern with many chain stores. Some shops particularly cater for students from the nearby Chulalongkorn University, and so there are many bookshops, ice cream parlours and restaurants.
-
Erawan Bangkok
Linked by skybridges with the Amarin Plaza and Gaysorn, this is another luxurious shopping centre with boutiques. Chic clothes stores are distributed at all four levels. The second level has an excellent tea room. Go to the lower lobby for food.
-
Amarin Plaza
This impressive colonial-style shopping centre has five floors of high-end stores, selling fashion, furniture, jewellery, electronics, books and handicrafts. The fourth floor has a good food court, and even a spa, health centre and yoga studio.
-
Jim Thompson Store
The flagship store of the famous Thai silk brand, offering well-designed pieces of high quality silk at equally high prices. Spread out over four floors, this store offers the full range of Thompson's products, including lengths of raw silk.
-
Thaniya Plaza
Two connected malls which run along Soi Thaniya, a street which is populated predominantly by Japanese restaurants and hostess bars. The Thaniya Plaza consists almost exclusively of golf equipment shops apart from a few Japanese restaurants.
-
India Emporium
This four-storey Indian shopping centre is a lot more modern than others in the area. It is mostly interesting for fabrics and Indian-style clothing, though they also have a good restaurant at the ground floor (which closes late at 23:00).
561/77 Chakphet Rd 10:00-22:00 daily -
Rajawongse Clothier
To quote Denis Gray, from The Associated Press: "A stop at Rajawongse Clothier has over the years become a must for visiting statesmen, ambassadors and generals, along with some of the world's top spies and secret service agents."
-
New Landmark Boutique
A favourite among European flight crews. The owner visits Europe about once a year for orders. Very good advice, high quality and fair prices. Across Sukhumvit there is another "Landmark Tailor" not affiliated with this one.
-
Silom Galleria
This mall has more than one hundred art, antique and gem stores, but it all feels a bit deserted and empty. There are plenty of art exhibitions held, Thavibu and Tang are the most interesting ones on contemporary Asian art.
-
Moonlight Book Shop
Not so much a book store, more like an alleyway with many used books for sale. It's a typical Khao San Road-store that sells easy to read fiction titles. All the usual hippie and backpacker favourites are available.
46/1 Khao San Rd 11:00-23:00 daily -
Naga House
This antiques store is set in a wonderful teak house from the 1920s. There is plenty of furniture on site, including silverware baskets from northern Thailand, teak tables from China, and lacquer ware from Myanmar.
315 Ongkharak Soi 13, Sam Sen Soi 28 -
Savile Row Tailor
Savile Row fabrics range from cottons and linens, to cashmere and merino wool. They can also can use kid mohair for suits, and Egyptian cottons and Oxford for shirts. Overcoats can be sewn from Italian cashmere.
-
JJ Day & Night
A fairly large shopping mall, JJ Day and Night really lacks character. The corridors are fairly small and there's a lot of budget clothing shopping to be done. A large share of the action happens outside.
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd M-Th 10:00-20:00, F-Su 10:00-21:00 -
Excelsior
A tailor who has been in business since the 1920s. Armani-style suits for around 10,000 baht. You can even call them and ask for a free pick-up. One of the better places for suits in Bangkok.
-
Savile Row Company
A tailor for men and women. It has been in the business for 40 years. The staff are professional and the quality of clothing is very good. Expect to pay around 9,000-13,000 baht for a suit.
Rose Hotel Bldg, 118 Surawong Rd 09:00-21:30 daily -
Nana Square
Quite a generic shopping mall, but at a convenient location. It has everything you would expect from a typical Bangkokian mall, including a food court, Starbucks, Watsons and dry cleaner.
-
All Seasons Place
Another elegant and large shopping centre. Four floors of the usual clothing boutiques, department stores, jewellers and antique shops. The food court on the second floor is good value
-
Khlong San Market
Located in a soi off Charoen Nakhon Road, the area offers items like ready-to-wear clothes for teenagers and shoes at relatively low prices. Best visited from lunch to dinner.
08:30-18:30 daily -
Tailor On Ten
Good quality tailor, owned and managed by a Canadian who produces beautiful suits, shirts and more. Their prices are competitive and they carry a wide range of fabrics.
-
Crown Tailor
Highly regarded as one of the best places to get a suit on Sukhumvit Rd. It is definitely worth the visit for good quality material at affordable prices.
-
Sombat Permpoon Gallery
Sells both paintings and sculptures by established artists and those of the new generation. There are more than 10,000 artworks by Thai artists on sale.
-
The Mall Bang Khae
A large shopping mall complex that has many floors of stores, stalls, restaurants and a cinema. It is located down the street from Kasemrad Hospital.
275 Phetkasem Rd M-F 10:30-22:00, Sa-Su 10:00-22:00 -
House of Chao
This mall is filled with dusty antique shops. Many of the items on sale are junk, but maybe you'll find an odd interesting teak treasure.
9/1 Decho Rd 10:00-18:00 daily -
Bang Phrom Market
Another local outdoor marketplace, similar to the one in Bang Ramat, but slightly larger, busier and more crowded.
-
Jhasper Fashion
Good tailoring store for men's and women's suits, trousers, shirts, dresses and more.
-
Universal Tailors
Bespoke and hand-made suits.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Data may have changed — verify opening hours before visiting.
Shopping Guide for Bangkok: Markets, Stores & Souvenirs
Shopping in Bangkok is one of the best ways to experience the city's local culture beyond the usual tourist trail. Whether you're browsing open-air markets for fresh produce and local delicacies, hunting for antiques in backstreet shops, or searching for artisan crafts and design goods to take home, Bangkok's shopping scene has something for every kind of traveler and every budget.
This guide covers 106 shopping spots in Bangkok sourced from Wikivoyage — the traveler-written travel guide — ensuring you're getting recommendations from real visitors who've been there. Unlike algorithmically ranked lists, these are the shops, markets, and stores that travelers actually tell each other about.
Types of Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok's shopping landscape includes several distinct categories. Markets are the heart of local commerce — weekly or daily gatherings where you'll find fresh food, second-hand clothing, handmade goods, and antiques at prices far below tourist shops. Specialty stores in Bangkok often have decades of history and deep expertise — bookshops, wine merchants, tea rooms, craft suppliers, and independent fashion boutiques. Souvenir and gift shops vary widely in quality: the best ones in Bangkok sell locally made products, while others sell identical mass-produced goods found in every city. This guide steers you toward the former.
Shopping Tips for Travelers in Bangkok
- Visit markets early. The best stalls at Bangkok's markets fill up fast. Arrive in the first hour of opening for the widest selection and freshest goods, especially for food markets.
- Carry local currency. Many independent shops and market vendors in Bangkok prefer cash. Have small denomination local currency on hand to avoid problems at card-only or cash-only stalls.
- Check opening days carefully. Many specialist shops in Bangkok close on Sundays and some close on Mondays or Wednesday afternoons. Always verify hours before making a special trip.
- Ask about provenance. When buying what appears to be locally made or artisan goods in Bangkok, don't hesitate to ask where items are made. Genuine local products make far better souvenirs than imported look-alikes.
- Budget for customs limits. If you're traveling internationally, keep in mind duty-free allowances for your home country, especially for food products, alcohol, and tobacco bought in Bangkok.
- Bargaining culture varies. In some markets in Bangkok light bargaining is expected; in most established shops, the price is fixed. Follow local cues — if other shoppers are negotiating, it's acceptable; if prices are clearly marked, they typically aren't.
Best Souvenirs to Buy in Bangkok
The most meaningful souvenirs from Bangkok are the ones that can't be bought elsewhere — locally produced food and drink, handmade objects by local artisans, books published in the city or about the region, and items that reflect the city's distinct cultural identity. Avoid mass-produced miniatures and branded merchandise that you'll find in identical form in every tourist shop. Instead, focus on the specialty stores and markets listed in this guide where authentic local products are the norm.
Shopping Neighborhoods in Bangkok
Like most cities, Bangkok's best independent shopping is concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than spread evenly across the city. Historic city centers and old towns tend to have the highest density of specialty shops, antique dealers, and design boutiques. Residential neighborhoods often host the best local food markets and everyday shopping that tourists rarely discover. This guide's listings span the city so you can plan your shopping around whichever neighborhoods you're already visiting.
Meet Fellow Travelers While Exploring Bangkok
Solo travel and group shopping are not mutually exclusive. Many Nomax users find travel companions for market days, afternoon shopping strolls, or finding someone who knows the city well enough to point you to the best local stores. Download Nomax to connect with other travelers currently in Bangkok — whether you want a market guide, a fellow bargain hunter, or simply someone to share the discovery of a great find.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shopping in Bangkok
Where to shop in Bangkok?
Bangkok has 106 curated shopping spots including markets, specialty stores, and local boutiques. This guide covers the best places to shop, from open-air markets with local produce and handmade goods to bookshops, antique dealers, and souvenir stores. Use the Nomax app to connect with fellow travelers who can share their favourite shopping finds in Bangkok.
What souvenirs to buy in Bangkok?
The best souvenirs from Bangkok are those that reflect the city's culture and craftsmanship — local food specialties, artisan products, books about the city or region, handmade ceramics or textiles, and locally produced beverages. Markets are the best place to find authentic souvenirs at fair prices. Other travelers on Nomax often share tips on where to find genuinely local products versus tourist-trap shops.
Are there any markets in Bangkok?
Yes, Bangkok has several markets listed in this guide including weekly food markets, antique fairs, and craft markets. Markets are excellent for experiencing local daily life and finding unique items you won't find in chain stores. Opening days and hours vary — check individual listings for current schedules before visiting.
What are the best specialty shops in Bangkok?
Bangkok has a range of specialty shops covering books, design, fashion, food and drink, antiques, and local crafts. Many of the shops in this guide are independent stores with deep expertise in their niche — a far better experience than mall shopping. The listings here are sourced from traveler community knowledge, so they tend to be the kinds of places locals actually recommend.
How do I find shopping companions in Bangkok?
Download Nomax to instantly connect with other travelers in Bangkok. Whether you want a local recommendation, a shopping companion for a market day, or someone who knows where to find the best local products, Nomax lets you chat with and meet fellow travelers in the city. It's free and available on iOS and Android.
Is it safe to shop in Bangkok as a solo traveler?
Shopping in Bangkok is generally safe for solo travelers. At markets, keep an eye on your belongings and use a secure bag. For valuable purchases, ask for receipts and check the return policy. When browsing late-evening markets, stick to well-lit areas. Connect with other travelers on Nomax for up-to-date safety tips from people currently in Bangkok.
Explore Bangkok with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — It's Free
