10 MOST ABSORBING MARKETS TO VISIT IN BANGKOK (FOR SOUVENIR HUNTERS & FOODIES)

1.CHATUCHAK MARKET

North Bangkok is worth a visit, especially, for the worldwide known Chatuchak Market – presumably the world`s largest market. The market features more than 10,000 stalls and estimated 25,000 visitors who come every day to feast their eyes on the mesmerising ambience. Chatuchak is open on Friday nights and weekend full day.

Chatuchak Market might be the world`s largest market

Chatuchak is like an Aladdin`s cave packed with treasures. It is vaguely divided into various sections: fashionable clothes, locally made furniture, Thai antiques and tribal crafts or brand new electronics. Besides, food markets are selling fresh fish, sea creatures, fruit, vegetable and other goods.

Other section offers flowers and plants where one would linger. Then there is a part with traditional pots, urns, statues, household tools and gardening equipment. Naturally, fine textiles and fabrics are all around, and everyone can feel free to bargain for unique souvenirs. Even if you don`t buy anything, the browsing is an exciting experience itself!

Chatuchak is the best spot for a souvenir hunt

2.DAMNOEK SADUAK FLOATING MARKET

Huge attractions in Bangkok are its famous floating markets, and for many, the major point of interest in the city. Damnoen Saduak is the favourite. It is actually a canal where most of the people live densely on both sides, growing fruit and vegetables. Every day trading and transporting the commodities on rowing boats to the city turned this riverside town into a large floating market, and every visitor would want to see this extraordinary spectacle.

Damnoek Saduak is the most famous of all floating markets

Damnoek Saduak has become fairly commercial and if you are not a big fan of touristy places choose to visit Amphawa instead. This floating market is much more authentic, and it has a very long history.

Other pretty floating markets in Bangkok are Bang Khu Wiang, Bang Nam Pheung, Khlong Lat Mayom, Wat Sai and Taling Chan and they are all open in the morning.

Wat Sai floating market is  more authentic

3.PRATUNAM MARKET

Locally well-known Pratunam Market is Thailand`s largest clothing market in Ratchathewi, not far from the majestic 309 m tall Baiyoke Tower II.

Although it is not a traditional market, the venue is a trendy shopping paradise: fashionable clothing, the latest hits of all footwear, jewellery, accessories, tempting food on every corner.

You might enjoy a stroll through the vibrant aisles and air-conditioned stalls – very refreshing! Open 24/7, the market draws both foreigners and locals, and it is a popular meeting venue.

Pratunam Market in Ratchathewi offers fashionable stores and trendy boutiques

4.PAT KHLONG PALAT FLOWER MARKET

Perhaps, the most impressive flower market in Thailand is an absolute ‘must visit’. Thai florists are considered among the world`s most skilful and when entering the place you will likely agree.

Pat Khlong Palat is the world`s largest flower market

The perfume of freshly picked orchids, lotus, jasmine and marigold and the striking colours are divine. Not just the scent and galore of flowers will captivate through – the artistic garlands that are used as offerings to Buddha are splendid, and it is hard to believe how easily and quickly they are hand-made by the local ladies.

Pat Khlong Palat has been operating since an early 18^th century and ever since it has been open 24/7 and 365 days a year. Some people say it is the world`s largest flower market.

Orchids, lotus, jasmine and marigold are the main commodities

5.PHAHURAT MARKET

Just like in any other global metropolis, Bangkok`s Indian quarter teems with colours and boosts scents. Markets here. Markets there. Markets everywhere. Walking through the lanes of Little India is truly feast for one`s eyes; fabrics, textiles, saris, threads, silk, cashmere, leather sandals and bags and curry, nuts and spices, of course.

Fabrics and shawls can be purchased at any stall and haggling is common

The daily Phahurat Market is the shopping epicentre – get ready for a vigorous attack on your senses. With the largest Sikh community outside of India, one can only imagine the atmosphere. The endless stalls and smell of all the goodies will make you linger, and you can easily indulge yourself without spending a fortune.

Little India is a vigorous attack on all senses

6.THIEVES MARKET

Enter the dragon and feel the atmosphere of one of the world`s most distinct Chinatowns outside of China. Grab the camera and stroll through the back streets filled with curiosities. Bizarre foods and goods are sold on every corner of the Yaowarat Road, and its laneways boast unusual images.

Find the Thieves Market – Bangkok`s best-kept secret. The market stretches along the Charoen Krung Road. It used to be known for selling stolen items in the past, but today, you can find all kinds of relics and age-old object most of which are actually useless.

The Thieves Market is probably not as pretty as the flower and floating markets, but if you stop by in the daytime during the weekends, you will find it one of the most interesting marketplaces in the city.

Thieves market is a real rarity among the Bangkok`s markets

7.KHAO SAN STREET MARKET

All backpackers, curious travellers and adventurous visitors will want to experience the exhausting yet stimulating stroll through the most vibrant quarter of Bangkok. Once the city`s major rice market, today the world-famous backpacker`s “barrio” – Khao San, never sleeps.

Khao San turns into a giant ‘night market’ each night

The movie “Hungover” is the best example if you cannot visualise the picture; red lights, packed lanes, ping pong shows, hawkers selling fake goods, barbecued insects and other bizarre street food snacks, noisy bars, cheap hotels and taverns and so forth.

Khao San has unique ambience and plenty of street stalls selling pan-fried scorpions, grilled grasshoppers, juicy silkworms and crispy tarantulas – Khao San street market is a part of Bangkok not to be missed!

Exotic goodies can be sampled in Khao San

8.SUKHUMVIT MARKET

If you are a fan of shisha, pipes and Middle Eastern gastronomy, you will definitely want to head to the Sukhumvit Soi 3.

Soi Arab quarter is the centre of the Arabic world in Bangkok and a crossroad of two cultures. The local markets offer gold, perfumes, spices, agarwood, water pipes and delicious street food.

Soi Araba is typical of shisha bars and chill-out lounges

Most of the travellers come here for the authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and its favourites: hummus with Arabic bread, tabbouleh, goat with saffron rice, lamb testicles on the grill, couscous & Moroccan tajine.

Ladies will appreciate fine textiles, ranging from silk to velvet and damask;  sarongs, scarfs and shawls are at their best.

Soi Arab offers fine textiles, perfumes and delicious food

9.MAEKLONG RAILWAY MARKET

In the last few years, Bangkok`s ‘train market’ has become a popular tourist attraction. No wonder, it offers some extraordinary images and markets of this kind are not easy to find.

The railway is dotted with vendors selling food, fruit and vegetables. The train tracks are literally covered with colourful displays of food, and it almost seems like the train won`t be able to pass through all the stalls, and umbrellas. Maeklong market is one of the most bustling, and it can get a bit stuffy and crowded, so make sure you bring enough water.

To reach the spectacle, you will need to catch a train from Ban Laem Station to the Maeklong Station where the market is. The best time to visit is early morning around 8 am.

Maeklong is one of the world`s most extraordinary markets

10.CHANGCHUI PLANE FLEA MARKET

In 2016, a new market hotspot opened in Bangkok. Contemporary but really cool, Nakhon Pathom is home to a quirky night market. It is set amid aircraft and military vehicles, but there are also spectacular displays of local artwork scattered through the marketplace.

Held every Wednesday and Saturday night, the venue is well-recommended, just to try something different.

Bangkok`s Plane Flea market is contemporary night market with spectacular displays of military aircraft and local art