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Bangkok, a city known for its vibrant culture and bustling markets, is a dreamland for thrifting lovers. From bustling night markets to hidden stores in small alleys, the city has so many secondhand shops selling everything from retro clothing to unique home decor. You never know what you may find!
In recent years, thrifting has taken the world by storm, especially among young people. People love thrifting because fashion trends are cyclically returning to vintage styles. The thrill of finding a unique vintage piece at a bargain price is like a dopamine hit for any secondhand shopper.
Thrifting has been a trend among young people in recent years (Source: Internet)
Beyond the fashion aspect, thrifting offers significant environmental benefits by reducing the impact of fast fashion on our planet. Bangkok is not standing out of this; people here are especially interested in thrifting, leading to the opening of many thrift stores. Here are some of the most famous spots that you can take a look at.
The market’s main attraction is the shell of a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar airplane (Source: Christ Radley)
Chang Chui was all the hype a couple of years back because it ticked all the boxes for young Thais. It was an art space with a retro vibe and interesting indie food stalls. On top of all that, it even has an immediately recognizable plane at its core, making it a fantastic spot for young Thais hunting for their next Instagram post.
This market attracts many visitors to come visit (Source: Overland Tour)
While the hype has died down quite a bit, it still remains an interesting spot to hang out especially because of its second-hand market. The Chang Chui Plane Night Market has a name that can be translated from Thai means “Second-hand market, happiness changes hands”
You can buy a batch of clothes here for a really cheap price (Source: Internet)
This is a famous franchise brand in Thailand. The majority of clothes you find here are Japanese labels. The most interesting thing about this shop is that they sell their clothes in weight, 100 grams for 39 baths. This makes shopping here really affordable. They also organize their clothes in different categories to make it more convenient for the customers to sort out and find the items they want.
Address
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This is known as the largest market in Bangkok. Coming to this market, you can find all kinds of goods from clothes, accessories, furniture, and handicrafts to Thai specialties. It has a large area and many stalls, so to avoid getting lost while visiting, you should refer to the map of Chatuchak Market to move more conveniently.
The vibrant color of the market (Source: Internet)
Address: 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak
Opening hours
Bangsue Junction is not far from Chatuchak Market, this is the place in Bangkok where you can find a lot of vintage clothing, handbags, jewelry, toys, and antiques as well. There are 6 floors to explore, so it’s safe to say that you can spend a whole day exploring and going through every shop in this building.
The building from outside (Source: Internet)
The mall is air-conditioned and has many places that sell foods and drinks, so you won’t need to worry about getting hungry or thirsty in the middle of the “treasure hunting”.
This is also a famous market in Bangkok, it is best known for welcoming ‘amateur’ sellers who grab whatever they don’t need at home and lay them out on the concrete floor for sale. The market may look rusty, but this is where all the fun is. And moreover, all the items here are sold at a cheap price.
The clothes are stacked in piles (Source: Internet)
Like a kid, you’ll get the thrill from just digging into a mountain of random products and picking out something you like, may it be clothes or old cassette tape players. This experience is basically a treasure hunt!
The market was named "Talad Rot Fai" which translates to "Train Market" because it originally operated near a railway line. Although the location has changed, the train theme is still incorporated into the market's decor and atmosphere.
The view of the market from above (Source: Internet)
The market's offerings can change slightly throughout the year. But coming here throughout the year, you can find all kinds of vintage treasures that can satisfy your needs.
Beyond shopping, Talad Rot Fai often hosts cultural events, live music performances, and workshops, providing visitors with a more immersive experience.
This vintage shop has a retro-inspired aesthetic that will delight any thrift enthusiast. Every corner of the space has been thoughtfully designed to create a nostalgic and inviting atmosphere, making stepping here feel like you’ve just entered the garage of an art collector back in the past.
Every detail in the store is carefully arranged (Source: a day)
The ground floor is dedicated to vintage military-themed items, reflecting the man's passion. The upper floor caters to the woman's love for handmade jewelry, minerals, stuffed animals, and natural objects. You'll find military clothing from World War II, furniture, home decor, bus signs, mineral and stone jewelry, and even Japanese brooms.
This is Thailand’s largest museum-like antique store, covering a massive area of 4 stories filled with million pieces of furniture and decoration. Every 3 months, the owner and his team will travel to Europe to hunt and handpick antiques to add to the warehouse collection.
This store looks just like a museum of antique furniture (Source: Internet)
Wandering around here, you can immerse yourself in a retro space and hear fascinating stories about the owner's passion for collecting. Even if you don’t buy anything, this is a great place for your Instagram pictures. Besides selling furniture, Papaya also offers furniture rental and studio shooting.
Dig Dig Dig: Secondhand stores typically have a wide variety of clothing and items, each with different values and qualities. Depending on the store, items may be displayed on racks or in piles. You'll need a keen eye to carefully select and find valuable items.
Don't be afraid to negotiate with the vendors: In many thrift shops, prices are up for negotiation. Don’t be shy about asking for a discount, especially if you’re stocking up on multiple items.
Bring cash: You should bring a decent amount of cash (Thai bath) with you since some vendors might not take cards or other forms of transaction.
Check the goods before buying: Don’t forget to inspect zippers, buttons, and clasps to make sure there’s no serious problem with the item before buying because secondhand shops usually don’t accept returns.
Quality is key: Keep an eye out for top-notch fabrics and craftsmanship, even in secondhand goods. Well-made stuff tends to last longer and keep its value over time.
Patience pays off: Thrift shopping is a treasure hunt, so just be patient and don’t worry if you don’t strike gold on your first try. Keep finding, and it will pay off in the end.
Bangkok is truly a shopping paradise in Thailand. Hunting for vintage treasures can add an exciting twist to your Thai adventure, making your trip truly unforgettable. We hope this article is helpful for you. Don’t hesitate to contact Asia King Travel today to plan your trip to Thailand!
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