Cheapest Shopping Markets in Bangkok You Must Visit

Bangkok – the vibrant and buzzing capital of Thailand – is a dream destination of many travelers. A city of contrasts, Bangkok is a modern city with world-class infrastructure and still preserves its culture and heritage through its numerous gilded temples. Apart from this, Bangkok is known for its delicious food and amazing nightlife. But one of the best things to do in this city is shopping. A paradise for shopping lovers, Bangkok is one of the best places to shop in Asia. From ultra-luxurious shopping malls to expansive street markets, you are spoilt for choice. But if you want to indulge in an affordable shopping experience, you must explore some of the cheapest shopping markets in Bangkok.

Why Shop in Bangkok’s Local Markets?

Retail therapy in a luxurious shopping mall may seem comfortable. But the shopping markets of Bangkok have a charm of their own, one you must experience during your visit. Here are some of the reasons for shopping at Bangkok’s local markets:

•  Shopping at the local markets of Bangkok is not just retail therapy. Rather, you get the chance to familiarize yourself with the culture and daily life of the locals as you explore these markets.
•  The shopping markets in Bangkok offer a variety of items, and the best part is that they are quite affordable. You can buy everything from trendy fashion to vintage items at great prices here.
•  No holiday can be complete without getting souvenirs to take home. The street markets of Bangkok are perfect for buying different types of souvenirs, right from the typical ones to some unique ones.
•  The street markets of Bangkok are not just for shopping. In fact, you will find the most amazing and authentic street food at these markets. The best part? The street food at these Bangkok markets is super cheap.

Cheapest Shopping Markets You Must Visit in Bangkok

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Being the largest street market in Bangkok, it is not surprising that our list begins with the Chatuchak Weekend Market. In fact, with more than 1200 stalls covering an area of 35 acres of land, the Chatuchak Market is considered the largest weekend market in the world. As you navigate around the maze of stalls, you will get to see all kinds of things on sale, right from clothes and accessories to antiques, collectibles, books, and more. It is a great place to buy souvenirs, especially Thai handicrafts. Chatuchak Weekend Market is also known for its mouthwatering food.

Pratunam Market

If fashion is on your mind, Pratunam Market would be perfect for you. This is one of the largest street markets in Bangkok where you can buy the latest clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, and more. All kinds of outfits, including shorts, skirts, dresses, tops, blouses, t-shirts, and more, are available here. The market has plenty of stores and stalls where you can buy makeup products. The best part about it is that you can buy everything at wholesale prices. It would be a good idea to buy in bulk to save some extra money. Apart from shopping, you will get to know about the interesting life of traders at the Pratunam Market.

Talat Rot Fai Night Market

Train markets are quite common in Bangkok, but Talat Rot Fai Market is one of the most popular. It is also the cheapest market in Bangkok. This market has three zones, Rod’s Antiques, Warehouse Zone, and the Market Zone. Rod’s Antiques and Warehouse Zone are the perfect places to get your hands at all things vintage, including gramophones, traditional Japanese toys, and even vintage cars and motorbikes. On the other hand, the Market Zone is the place to buy clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, toys, and more at reasonable rates.

Platinum Fashion Mall

What if we say that you can enjoy street market rates while shopping at an air-conditioned mall in Bangkok? This may seem untrue, but it is not. Bangkok’s Platinum Fashion Mall is where you can buy the latest fashion without burning your bank account. Spread across six floors, this mall is home to more than 1300 shops, all selling clothes, accessories, bags, belts, shoes, etc., belonging to the latest trends. All the stores offer two price tags for all the products, one being the retail price and the other being the wholesale one. This is a favorite among locals, tourists, and shoppers as well as online and store business owners.

Victory Monument Market

Spread around Bangkok’s Victory Monument, this market offers a combination of shopping malls and street market experiences. The area is surrounded by shopping malls, stores, and shopping complexes, offering shoppers a variety of products and options. One of the must-visit locations here is the King Power Duty-Free Mall, where you can buy luxury products and premium labels at duty-free prices. There is also the Century Movie Plaza, which comprises retail stores and restaurants on five floors and a multiplex theater on the sixth. Center One, Soi Roy Ran, La Villa, etc., are some other popular places for shopping at Victory Monument Market.

Sampeng Market

One of the cheap shopping markets Bangkok is Sampeng Market. It is quite popular with tourists as it is one of the best places in the city to buy souvenirs. The best part? You get to buy stuff at wholesale prices here. As you walk through the busy alleys of the market, you will get to see myriads of stores selling women’s fashion, men’s clothes, kids’ attire, and more. It is a paradise for footwear lovers, as there are more than 70 stores dedicated to shoes here. Apart from this, little stores selling souvenirs and trinkets like keychains, t-shirts, hats, bags, wristwatches, jewelry, etc., are dotted throughout the market.

Damnoen Saduak

Thailand is known for its unique floating markets, and Damnoen Saduak is one of the best in Bangkok. Filled with long, wooden Khlong boats, Damnoen Saduak has a classic charm that you should not miss. The boats here sell everything from souvenirs to authentic Thai delicacies. One of the things you must definitely try here is Kuay Teow Reua or Boat Noodles. Coconut Ice Cream is also a must-try here. It is one of the best places to check out the fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Damnoen Saduak with its busy streets, boats filled with a variety of colorful items, and the overall vibe makes it worth visiting.

MBK Center

Shopping in Bangkok is not just about clothes and accessories. Rather, it is a great place to buy the latest electronic items without spending a fortune. The best place for this is the MBK Center. A shopping mall spread across an area of 89,000 square feet, MBK Center has eight floors and more than 2000 shops. This is an ideal place to buy the latest (and even second hand) smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, MP3 players, smart watches, and more. Other than electronics, MBK Center is also known for its fashion stores. It is most popular for its first copy stores, giving you the chance to buy clothes of your favorite brands at reasonable prices. MBK Center has stores for home furnishings and souvenirs too.

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What to Buy in Bangkok’s Cheap Markets?

There is a huge variety of things available at the Bangkok shopping markets. Here are some of the most popular things you can buy here.

Clothes and Accessories: Bangkok markets are a haven for buying trendy clothes and accessories. Right from the first copy of famous international and local brands to jewelry, bags, shoes, belts, and more, you can pick the latest fashion in these markets

Souvenirs: The Thai souvenirs you find in the street markets of Bangkok are unique, some of which representing the history and culture of the country. Miniature elephants and tuk-tuks, wooden kitchenware, homemade soaps, keychains, fridge magnets, scented candles, etc., are some of the souvenirs and trinkets you can buy here.

Handicrafts and Jewelry: If you want to take something authentic back home, the Thai handicrafts and handmade jewelry are really good ideas. Carved wooden items and traditional jewelry made with local items are good keepsakes as well as gifts.

Spices and Sauces: Thailand is the most popular for its delicious cuisine. So, if you have fallen in love with the food, you can buy authentic spices and sauces to recreate the magic back home. These are great for gifting purposes as well.

Thai Silk: If you want to take something special back home from your Bangkok holiday, Thai Silk is a good option. You can buy Thai Silk fabrics or even shawls, dresses, tablecloth, cushion covers, and scarves made from it.

Tips for Budget Shopping in Bangkok

•  Bargaining is the norm in the markets of Bangkok. So, make sure to put your bargaining skills into action before making the purchase. But ensure to be polite while doing so.
•  While this is not possible in case of night markets, it is best to visit the markets and shopping malls mentioned above early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat as well as the crowd.
•  It is best to carry cash while shopping at the street markets of Bangkok. Keeping cash in small denominators is a good idea.
•  While purchasing souvenirs, clothes, and accessories, buy in bulk. This would ensure that you receive a good discount.
•  Always check every item you buy carefully before purchasing to rule out any damage.
•  As street shopping involves a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes for your shopping trip.
•  Take a bottle of water with you to keep yourself hydrated as you navigate the busy streets and budget shopping malls of the city.

Conclusion

With such an amazing shopping experience awaiting you in Bangkok, do dedicate a substantial amount of your itinerary to exploring at least a few of the markets mentioned here.

Frequently Asked Questions