BANGKOK MARKETS
Markets around Bangkok offer fascinating shopping experiences. Compared to air-conditioned malls, though, they are hot and sticky mazes with alleys after alleys of shops selling everything from one-off fashion accessories to knock-off kitsches to farm-fresh flowers and agricultural produce.
As well as excellent bargains, the markets also offer a slice of local life and a great opportunity to sample the kind of food you won't find in most restaurants. Of all the markets in Bangkok, Chatuchak Weekend Market is a must visit, while others, such as those inPatpong, Khlong Thom and Saphan Phut offer exciting night-time shopping experiences. For something you won't find anywhere else, try one of the floating markets, which combine shopping and sightseeing into one.
Bang Nam Pheung floating market should probably be called a 'riverside market' as like many others it only has a few boats parked along the banks, with most of the stalls on solid ground. But with the success of the famous Damnoen Saduak or more recently Amphawa, this popular type of market is flourishing all over Thailand and every village near a river has its own version.
Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Thailand, great for photo opportunities, food, and for giving you an insight into a bygone way of life. An early morning start is worth it to avoid the heat and catch Damnoen Saduak at its liveliest. Most visitors who come to Thailand want to visit a floating market and many of them will end up here. Don’t let that put you off though, it’s an enjoyable morning out of the city and if you avoid the tourist shops you can get a real sense of the place. The market is over an hour outside Bangkok, and the easiest way to get there is to join a tour.
Bangkok Flower Market (Pak Klong Talad) is the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. 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. Part of the Old City, Bangkok Flower market is located on Chak Phet Road near Saphan Phut or the Memorial Bridge. Shops and vendors are housed inside two to three-storey shop-houses on both sides of the main road. The market lies just south of Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and has access to a river pier, so it makes for a great one-day trip when combined with other historical attractions in the Old City.
There is no lack of markets in Thailand and visiting one of them is always a great experience - a window opened directly onto the daily life of local people. Klong Suan 100 Year market (pronounced 'Klong Suan roi pee' in Thai) is more than just a fresh food display, a giant bazaar or a touristic floating market, it is really a living museum. Located outside Bangkok, about 20km past Suvarnabhumi airport, this very large old market is set on one side of the Prawet Burirom 'klong' as they call canals in Thailand.
Because of its remote location the place hasn't yet be invaded by foreign tourists, however with the emergence of social networks and online photo sharing, it has become exremely popular for the new generation of Thais to rediscover the authenticity of remote places. So you might not yet encounter many 'farangs' (overseas tourists), but you definitely can expect to meet a crowd of young Thais who enjoy driving out of town at the weekend to find some fun, food and nostalgic, cute stuff.
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