Bangkok Shopping - Bangkok shopping malls, Chatuchak market

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets. There are many areas throughout Bangkok affording ample choices and easy access. The principal shopping areas in downtown Bangkok which boasts many specialist shops, shopping plazas, and department stores include Silom, Siam Square, Ratchadamn, Pratunam, Ploenchit, and Bang Lamphu. Recommended markets and shops which sell Thai handicrafts:

Chatuchak Weekend Market A large open public ground on Phahonyothin Road. The market is a paradise for browsers and bargain hunters alike. It operates only on weekends during the day time Chitralada Shops, founded by the Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, are situated in the Grand Palace, Vimanmek Mansion, Bangkok International Airport, and some leading hotels.

Narayana Phand Pavilion, located on Ratchadamri Road, is a handicraft center selling items from all parts of the country.

Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely Central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza, all of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the World Trade Centre and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Phloenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mahboonkrong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.

It would be no exaggeration to say that hardly any especially Bangkok doesn't know Chatuchak Market. This is The Worlds Biggest Weekend Market selling practically everything under the sun, from the smallest nails, to foods, trendy fashions, antiques intricate wooden carvings, masks from far-off lands, adorable fluffy dogs, colorful fish of every hue and singing birds. You can find all this and more at amazing Chatuchak market. There are almost 9,000 individual booths overflowing with every imaginable type of wares to catch your fancy. Once inside the market, you will be catch up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls stretching as far as the eye can see. If you are thinking of decorating your home, searching for that perfect piece of furniture or decoration, be it antique, modern, Thai or Western? Or perhaps a lovinly created ethnic handicraft to brighten up your space? Ceramic products, whether they be tea cups, coffee mugs, pots, traditional Thai Benjarong or ceramic dolls. Well, come to Chatuchak Market and chances are you won't go home empty-handed.

Feeling a little hot and weary from your journey ? A bit hoarse from all that bargaining? Then its time to seek out some cool, refreshing drinks or something light and tasty to re-charge your batteries before another round of shopping. Chatuchak Market has and endless selection of food and drinks, ranging from small beverage stalls on almost every soi or corner , iced refreshments, noodles, rice & curries, rice with roast pork, chicken rice and Thai-style fast foods. Apart from bringing together interesting products from all corners of Thailand. We want to tell you that Chatuchak Market is also a wonderful place to pick-up curious objects from far-off land, too.

Enjoy the unique salesmanship tactics employed by the different vendors, who rely on shouting, making odd noises, playing music and even wearing outlandish dress, to capture the attention of passing shoppers.

The real charm of the Chatuchak Mattel lies in the fact that you can-and should-bargain with each stall you are interested in. Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So, don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices.

Now, are you ready to begin your quest to find what you have been searching high and low for ? Well then, mingle with the crowds, sweat it out and have fun in The World's Biggest Weekend Market.

Details: The market is only open at weekends from 07:00 to 18:00. Entrance is of course free of charge.

How to get there: Chatuchak is easy to get to. Mochit BTS leads directly to Chatuchak's entrance and it also has its own MRT station -- Chatuchak.

A taxi fare from the centre of Bangkok will cost around 80-90 Baht.

The following buses will get you there:
Air-conditioned bus: 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 77, 146
Bus number: 3, 8, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 63, 77, 96, 104, 108, 112, 134, 138, 145

Silom-Surawong-Patpong Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok's commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong's famous night market.

Silom leads into Charoenkrung Road which parallels the Chao Phraya River, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex.

Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and Soi 21 (Asok) and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai.

A highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok's biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.

Baiyoke Tower Located next to Bangkok's tallest hotel building, Baiyoke tower is one of the city's renowned garment centres.

Located next to Bangkok's tallest hotel building, Baiyoke tower is one of the city's renowned garment centres.

Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.

Situated close to the Grand Palace, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.

Chinatown Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok's Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as several nearby traditional shopping places such as Ban Mo Jewellery Street, Phahurat Cloth Market and the Old Siam Plaza.

Situated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city's renowned ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail.

This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening.

This popular attraction is some 80 kilometres west of Bangkok, accessible by regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of vendor boats crowd the market area in the early morning till noon.