Home | Beware of "Other Magic" | Dressing the part | Things to see and do | Shopping Locations 

Good staring point

Pratunam textiles market
Pratunam market is situated by the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi (Phetchaburi) roads, very near to the Amari Watergate hotel. This is notable as perhaps the best place in Bangkok to buy cheap clothes, fabrics and textiles - wholesalers and exporters buy here, as well as individual consumers. The market is not on the main road, look for the entrances that lead to it behind the shops. The Bai Yoke market in the same area sells the same sort of thing. As well as the market, there are many clothes and textile shops in this area.

Naraiphand Thai Handicraft
Naraiphand Thai Handicraft Center opposite the Central World Plaza. This is a joint venture between the government and the private sector, where local products are sold at reasonable fixed prices.

Shop impressions
A subsequent exploration of the myriad shops inside Central World Plaza will top off the first "shopseeing" impressions. The Bangkok Skytrain (see below) brings you quickly and efficiently to the many other main shopping areas.

There is a vast choice: Clothing, Silks, Cotton, Batik, Lacquerware, Pewter, Carvings, Ceramics, Silver, Gold, Furniture, Handicrafts, Hill tribe articles, Jewellery and Gemstones, to mention but a few. The latter should be bought from a reputable shop (ask local expats or your Embassy for recommendations) and made for pleasure rather than investment. Unless you are a qualified gemologist, forget about making a profit on your gemstone purchase in Thailand.

Chatuchak Market
This is a shop-a-holics dream and where you can probably find all the local craft and fabric items you are looking for. This market is open on weekends only and it is located at a walking distance south of the Mo Chit Skytrain station.

Patpong Night Market
To go to the famous nightmarket in "Soi Patpong" in the heart of the red light district , take the skytrain and get off at Saladeng station. The market is a haven for fake goods but be warned the quality is often quite poor and the prices high.

The Flower Market (Pak Klog Talat)
One of my favourite trips is a visit to the flower market - not just because I like to fill my home with beautiful flowers, but also because it is such an amazing place with great smells, lots of colour and frantic activity going on in every direction.

I go at the weekend when the traffic in China town is heavy so I prefer to go on the skytrain to Saphan Taksin and then get the express boat to the Memorial Bridge (you cannot miss it as it's a huge old fashioned iron bridge). Turn left off the pier and walk through the warehouses of fresh vegetables on the way to the flower market. At the market it self, you will see every shape and type of tropical flower in little stalls, both sides of the pathway.

Being laiden down with flowers I always take a taxi home. Much of Chinatown is one way and the traffic is slow moving. However, I enjoy peering out of the window into the shops at the street side. The shops cluster by type, so you will have one street which sells, second hand electrical equipment and another selling trophies for sports competitions. As you pass the giant swing, you will see a street of shops selling temple supplies (this is worth getting out to have a look).

Sampeng Lane
Another interesting place to go is Chinatown's Sampeng - however, be warned it is a tiny, crowded, street with shops either side and a small walkway with people competing with vendors, motor bikes, carts selling ice cream etc, etc.

Get off the express boat at stop 8, Thai Ratchawong (the stop before the Memorial Bridge) and walk up the boat away from the water until it intersects with Sampeng Lane (again, Nancy's map is an essential here). Sampeng is Chinatown at it's best - frantic commerce going on in every direction. If you can sew or want to buy fabric to give to a dressmaker, this is a fantastic place to browse - otherwise just enjoy the sights and sounds.

Shopping Centres

• MBK
• Central World Plaza
• Siam Square
• Siam Center
• Central Childlom
• Emporium

Major Super Markets

• Big C
• Villa Super Market
• Food Land

Sponsored by Amari Hotels and Resorts Company Limited. © 2004, all rights reserved.
To visit the Amari Hotels and Resorts Website, go to www.amari.com

Thailand Hotels | Bangkok Hotels | Chiang Mai Hotels | Pattaya Hotels | Koh Chang Hotels | Samui Hotels | Phuket Hotels | Trang Hotels
Angkhang Hotels | Loei Hotels

Company Profile | Amari News | Amari Charity | Career Opportunities | Travel Planner | Handy Tips for Visitors to Thailand
FAQ | Thailand Travel Assistant | Thailand Information | Contact Information