Market Shopping In Thailand

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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If you are looking for a bargain or two on your next trip to Thailand, a must-see is one of their many markets. Vast collections of stalls selling anything and everything, some have over 1000 stalls for you to browse through, these busy markets provide an unforgettable shopping experience.

Visiting the Thai markets is a fun way to get to see the real Thailand. Local people use the markets rather than supermarkets for their shopping needs, and its fun to watch them haggle with the sellers. Although tourists do flock to some of the larger markets, they are so vast that you will never feel that you are stuck in a tourist trap.

In Bangkok, be sure to check out Chatuchak Market. This just may be one of the biggest markets in the world. Recently reorganised so that it is now a pedestrian-only zone, you can get a map of the market upon arrival and work your way through the different shopping zones. From antiques, to traditional food, kitchenware to clothing, it is all here.

Many Thai shoppers prefer to do their shopping in the cool of the evening so there are many night markets around Thailand. One of the largest ...
... is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. It sells all kinds, looks fantastic lit up and bustling late into the evening, and it is also the place to head for some of the tastiest authentic street food in the country.

A fashion-lovers dream, Bangkok is home to the specialist Pratunam Market - a market dedicated solely to clothing. Most clothing on offer is brand new, although there are some retro and second hand stalls. Haggling is big here, especially if you are buying more than one item where a knockdown price is expected.

A very traditional kind of Thai Market is the famous, and often photographed Talaat Naam, or Floating Market. As the name suggests, this market does not take place on dry land! Instead sellers line up their boats along the old waterways and canals that have been used for trade and communications for hundreds of years.

Damnoen Saduak is definitely the most popular of the floating markets among tourists. For a more authentic floating market experience, with more natural surroundings, head for the less touristy Tha Kha Market. It takes place only 6 times a month from 6am until 12pm.

Outside of Bangkok you will still find some unexpectedly large street markets. Head to Phuket and there is the Talad Nad Chaofa Variety Market, which rivals the largest markets in Bangkok with around 1000 vendors selling their wares. Anything and everything is on sale here and the market opens at weekends only from 4.30pm into the night. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide great deals on Thailand flights.