5 Great Places to Go Shopping in Chatuchak

Chatuchak Weekend Market is home to more than 8,000 market stalls that are spread over an area that equals more than 14 football fields. Once only popular among wholesalers and traders, it has eventually reached landmark status as a must-visit place for visitors to the Thai capital. The market’s sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise will bring any seasoned shoppers to their knees. Chances are you'll end up spending at least half a day at Chatuchak, so it's a good idea to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as well as carry bottled drinking water with you.

Or Tor Kor Market is a nice place to stroll around, whether you're just browsing, taking photos, or doing some grocery shopping. Fresh, large-sized fruit of all types and varieties is what it's mostly known for, but you'll also find a wide range of vegetables, seafood, pre-cut meats and flowers. Thai sweets are also plentiful, whether the traditional kind or modern varieties, such as kanom krok (grilled coconut pancakes), sweet sticky rice, steamed palm sugar desserts, and kanom bueng (coconut crepes).

Papaya Design Furniture & Studio occupies a warehouse in the suburbs of Bangkok. The entrance is small and resembles a workshop cluttered with junk and some workers chit-chatting while fixing unidentified pieces of unidentified junk. Some of the genuine vintage items on display are not for sale, while those that are may not come with a price tag. A good tip is to take a photo and go back to the centre of the shop, where someone is always around to help you.

Rot Fai Market (or Talad Rod Fai Train Night Market) in Bangkok is an authentic open-air bazaar selling an incredible array of vintage collectables and memorabilia from yesteryear, from antique furniture to hippy fashion and Mao kitsch. With 3 sections to this huge market space, there are also many traders selling modern fashion and apparel more typical of other night markets in Bangkok. They’re quite friendly without being pushy, so you can browse and explore at your leisure without the feeling of being part of a tourist trap.

Union Mall Bangkok mostly caters for a younger crowd, mainly university students, office workers, and those who find Central Lad Prao too expensive and Chatuchak Weekend Market too hot. This shopping mall stands 8 storeys tall and has over 1,000 retail shops. You can also find an international food court, fast food chains, entertainment areas, a fitness centre and a supermarket. From 5pm onwards, the mall has an open-air market that sells clothes, bags, shoes, and fashion accessories at affordable prices.