English
French
Spanish
Italian
Bangkok night markets form part of the cultural scenery within the city. Nowadays, these markets boast various cultures that call the city home. The markets pulse with life: the aroma of sizzling street food fills the air, colourfully decked-out stalls in bright hues, cacophonous haggling mixing with laughter.
Besides the commercial offerings, these night markets are so much more—glimpses into the soul of Bangkok: a mirror of the city's urban spirit of entrepreneurship, hospitality, and a love for the simple joys in life.
Shopping in a Bangkok night market Credit: Feastography
A tourist could easily learn the culture, traditions, and customs passed down through generations, and to totally immerse yourself in the nightlife of Bangkok, let’s find out with Asia King Travel some of the most iconic markets in the capital of Thailand!
Asiatique is a night market located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. This place has a great mix of modern shopping and traditional Thai charm. There are plenty of ways for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture, from trying out a range of activities to simply taking in the atmosphere.
As soon as you step into Asiatique, you're taken on a stroll down a lively promenade lined with stylish boutiques, trendy eateries, and cool bars. The place has a modern design and is open-air, so it's a great place to walk around at your own pace. You'll also enjoy the nice, cool breeze from the river.
Asiatique market is on the river bank Credit: ChillThai
And there's a huge Ferris wheel that towers above the Bangkok skyline. Take a ride and enjoy the amazing views of the city and the river below. If you're looking for something a bit more down-to-earth, the riverfront dining options are fantastic. You can enjoy delicious local Thai food, drinks, or wider international fare while listening to the almost-silent noise of lapping water and watching the reflections on the surface of the twinkling lights.
.jpg)
The Asiatique Ferris wheel Credit: Tripadvisor
Moreover, by evening, Asiatique really comes alive with lots of live performances, from traditional Muay Thai shows to modern music performances. As you stroll along the circuitous bricked market streets, you'll find buskers, performers, and artisans adding to the lively atmosphere.
The traditional Muay Thai performance Credit: Active Holidays
Overall, it's the perfect place to find unique souvenirs, and local handicrafts, or just enjoy a nice walk by the riverside on a pleasant evening. So, Asiatique is the epitome of modern shopping in Bangkok.
Chatuchak Weekend Market is in second place on this "best night markets in Bangkok" list. It looks exactly like shopaholic heaven and is tagged as one of the largest open-air markets in the world.
Located in a humongous area of 35 acres, this entire lively marketplace simply never comes to a halt from Friday till the weekend. The place becomes an instant destination for locals and tourists alike who come running to lay their hands on some great varieties of products.
A mini shop in the Chatuchak Weekend Market Credit: Tripadvisor
From clothes and accessories to antique objects and collectibles, with its mammoth vendors totaling more than 15,000 stalls, Chatuchak Weekend Market literally has abundant pieces of stuff in store for anyone who desires anything. Also, the market is a paradise for bargain hunters and shoppers looking for the latest fashion trends, first sightings of accessories, antique pieces, and collectibles.
Half the fun lies in getting lost through this maze of alleys and sections. From here, you'll get everything from clothes and shoes to handcrafted items, furniture, plants, and pets—not forgetting even rare antiques. Further, it can be divided into sections, making it easier to focus on certain areas according to your interest.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market from above Credit: iStock
Whether you're looking for souvenirs, clothes that really make a statement, or items to make your home uniquely yours, look no further than the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The lively atmosphere, street food stalls serving great food, and endless shopping opportunities all make Chatuchak Weekend Market an absolute must for any visitor to Bangkok.
Khaosan Road, or Khao San Road, is a legendary street and the heart of Bangkok's backpacker district. It's a lively, vibrant spot, perfect for budget travellers looking to soak up the atmosphere of Bangkok's nightlife. Khaosan Road is a tiny lane, but buzzing with excitement.
Khaosan Road is perfect for budget travellers Credit: Norbert Braun
As the day draws to a close, this street comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere, filled with sights, sounds, and smells. From the more unusual T-shirt and handicraft sellers to genuine Thai souvenirs, this experience is quintessentially Bangkokean. Tantalizing pad thai, fragrant curries, and air-filling, grilled meats make up the delicious street food that has attracted visitors to the smell. From Khaosan Road, one can easily get a feel of Bangkok's rich cultural heritage.
The vibrancy in an eating vendor Credit: Bundo Kim
Khaosan Road is also filled with backpackers from every part of the world heading toward the city’s nightlife. With good live music, plenty of bars, great clubs, and parties, you can pick up a refreshing Chang beer and soak up the lively atmosphere. Also, you can witness the street artists and musicians lending their performing talents to the atmosphere, giving it a carnival flavor that is unmatched in any way.
Khaosan Road is filled with backpackers from every part of the world Credit: Syed Ahmad
Whether you are a seasoned backpacker or a new guy in Bangkok, Khaosan Road will be waiting for you. Colorful and full of good street food, Khaosan is recommended as a spot for people scoping out places that really come alive at night.
You may also like: The best dining restaurants in Bangkok
The fourth destination in this list, Khlong Thom Market, is located right in the heart of Bangkok's buzzing neighbourhoods and has got to be one of the greatest views of the local culture and the city. This hidden night market is popular among local people, as a very welcomed relief from comparably crowded and repetitive business centres.
A colourful shop in Khlong Thom Market Credit: Metta Voyage
There is a huge range of Thai street food vendors, and one stumble from one to the next with increasingly attractive smells. The food is sure to please the senses, from seafood skewers, curries, and noodle dishes to desserts; Khlong Thom Market is a foodie's paradise.
Needless to say, this market is also a great place to find fresh produce, with locals coming to stock up on the best fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Be ready for a lively atmosphere, with vendors offering all kinds of promotions, and remember, bargaining is not only accepted but encouraged.
Huge range of Thai street food vendors in this market Credit: Trip.com
Khlong Thom is one of the best experiences in Bangkok, no question. It's a great way to celebrate local life. At this lively market, you get a genuine sense of what's going on in the street of Bangkok, away from touts or overly commercialised attractions.
If you're just looking for something slightly different from Bangkok's night markets, Chang Chui is definitely worth visiting. This place is a bit quirky, right up there as one of the more unusual night markets of all: the Plane Night Market. You might have guessed it from the name—it takes place in an old aircraft, offering shoppers and diners a very unique experience.
Chang Chai Market, or Plane Night Market Credit: Chris Radley Photography
Once you're inside the plane, you'll find that it's a maze of little shops and food stalls lining up the aisles. Here, vendors offer great deals on vintage attire and accessories, handmade crafts, and souvenir items. There's something new around every corner and in every nook of the plane.
But there's a whole lot more to Chang Chui. It is a paradise of food with an excellent array of street food stalls with loads of scrummy Thai and international dishes. You can tuck into pad thai or papaya salad if you like. Alternatively, try some deep-fried insects if you are little more adventurous.
.jpg)
A small restaurant inside the Plane Market Credit: koffertraum.at
Moreover, Plane Night Market definitely can offer excellent locations for picture taking that will also flood your Instagram. It won't be challenging at all to find those views of an abandoned plane transformed into a busy market. You could pose inside the cabin of the aircraft with vendors and their wares as your backdrop, or pose outside at its iconic exterior.
Plane Night Market offers excellent locations for picture Credit: Phuket 101
An extraordinary place, indeed, for the seasoned jet-setter and locals in search of new adventures. Chang Chui: Plane Night Market— a place that should be visited while in Bangkok. You will love the atmosphere, great street food, and the memories to be had here.
Compared with other famous Asian night markets, the Bangkok ones is outstanding with its huge size, great variety, and perfect combination of tradition and modernity. While sharing some similarities with all the others due to the lively atmosphere and street foods, the night markets in Bangkok were able to create an identity of their own within Asia.
If you're interested in these locations after checking for some good night markets in Bangkok, feel free to contact Asia King Travel and let us help you plan your perfect itinerary!
You may also like: Bangkok Tour 5 days: Happy Family
