Old City (Rattanakosin) Shopping

Banglamphu Market

Open since the '80s, this market is popular with locals for its bargains. Banglamphu Market is a good place to find inexpensive Thai products of almost everything from jeans, T-shirts, shorts, to well-known brand sneakers. There are a few secondhand bookstores and numerous internet cafés located here.

Bo Bae Market (Clothing Wholesale)

This is not a place to pick up a few odds and ends. Much like Pratunam Market, Bo Bae has served as the centre of wholesale clothing for over the past 30 years. With over 1,000 shops within the Bo Bae Tower and the open-air market along Padung Krung Kasem canal, shoppers can enjoy a wide range of inexpensive goods such as T-shirts, dresses, shoes, winter jackets, fancy dress or even Muslim attire. Shipping services are also available for those who want to send packages back home.

Charoen Chaikarnchang Shop

This is easily the largest and most impressive silver religious shop in the area. A lot of big bronze Buddha images are displayed at the shop. Let’s face it, it’s highly unlikely that you’re in the market for gigantic Buddha images but it’s fun just to look around and observe the manufacturing process at the workshop in the back. Charoen Chaikarnchang produces many impressive Buddha images for temples all over Thailand.

Flower Market (Pak Klong Talad)

Pak Klong Talad, the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok is located on Chak Phet Road near Saphan Phut or the Memorial Bridge. Every day as the hot sun dissipates, the roadside of Pak Klong transforms into a kaleidoscope of bright, blooming colours, as vendors receive floral goods from each flower-growing area in the country.  

The market has all kinds of popular flowers and flora-related items including; roses, forget me nots, orchids, lilies and more.  Most of them sold in packs of 50 or 100 flowers in each, and prices are amazingly cheap.  For example, a pack of 100 roses in any color is selling for less than 70 baht. Nicely-arranged bouquets for special occasions are also available.

James International Fashion

Khao San has several shops offering good deals for tailor-made clothes, but if you want your suit and dresses done by one of the world's best tailors then head to James International Fashion. It's listed in the National Geographic Magazine's 'Top 10 Best Tailors in the World'.

This four-storey shop carries over 3,000 choices of quality fabrics and textiles including English flannels and worsteds, Scottish tweeds, fine cashmere, French gabardines, silk mohair from Italy and colourful Thai silk.

Nittaya Curry Shop

Nittaya offers a wide range of curry pastes, one of the most important ingredients for cooking delicious Thai red, yellow, green, and all kinds of curries. Nittaya is well-known for its quality and exports to many markets in major cities around the world. Pick up a few canisters for your own pantry or souvenirs for friends back home. A variety of classical Thai sweets is also available at the shop.

Sanam Luang / Khlong Lod

This night market, a reincarnation of the one in Sanam Luang, is dedicated to food and second-hand goods. Apart from the usual finds such as T-shirts, clothing, sneakers, fashion accessories and handmade trinkets, you will also find brassware, second-hand guitars, used books, old magazines, remote controlled toys and motorbike parts. Examine the goods very closely before you purchase, as the market is barely lit, or you might be surprised to find out later that they don’t look as cute as when you bought them.

Saphan Phut Night Market

Every evening (except Wednesdays) the area around the Memorial Bridge (known amongst Thais as Saphan Plut) on the Rattankosin side of the river is packed with vendors and shoppers trading for apparels and entertainment items include T-shirts, sneakers,  jeans, related accessories, DVD’s, CD’s, video games and more.

Some counterfeit brand-name clothing like Ralph Lauren, Armani, Fred Perry as well as creative pieces can be found; plenty of food stalls, too. Bartering is almost not necessary, as the prices are amazingly cheap. The market is popular amongst local teen shoppers. It opens from 17:30 (or later on a rainy day) until around midnight.

Tha Chang Amulet Market

This is one of the oldest markets and is probably the best place in Bangkok for buying religious paraphernalia. Along the side of the road are plenty of vendors offering everything a good Buddhist would need, from antlers or tusks, dentures from famous abbots, images of Buddha to famous monks embossed in bronze, wood or clay. The market is meant for religious locals rather than tourists, though it is worth a visit.

Tha Prachan Pier Market

Most people come here to look for used brand-name shoes on sale in various sizes, and for creative printed T-shirts designed by students of art faculties from nearby Thammasat and Srirpakorn universities. Other goods available include fashionable clothing, handbags, accessories, interior decorating items, musical instruments, books, postcards, and handmade souvenirs. Celebrated fortunetellers also gather here, and some can communicate in English.

Wang Lang Market

Located on the Thonburi side of the river, just across the river from Tha Prachan Pier; Wang Lang Market is known for secondhand quality goods including garments, shoes and accessories. Inexpensive brand-new clothes and related items, as well as delicious food are available.  Wang Lang Market offers a unique Bangkok shopping experience.