Silom Village Trade Center
Silom Village Trade Center is a fantastic place to get a style of ancient Thai design and traditions without the feel of being too touristy or crowded. There is a lot of history here going back to the establishment of Bangkok. A great landmark to visit as a tourist of if you’re an expat and have visitors come. They have a nice selection of Thai handicrafts, clothing, and stores with knick knacks that have been open for 30+ years. The food is also authentic. They have a variety of foods, including fried rice, noodles, chicken, etc. Try the kanom jiin (white noodles) with naam prik (red sweet sauce) or naam yaa (yellow, spicy sauce with luk chin, or meatballs) if you can handle spicy. Don’t forget to try the Thai traditional sweets. All are delicious and their ancient taste is difficult to recreate, including the banana (kanom gluay) and coconut colored jelly (woon gati). In terms of shopping for traditional Thai souvenirs, this is a great and easy alternative to Chatuchak or Asiatique or any other bustling market, especially if you’re not into big crowds or feeling claustrophobic! Note that they use a coupon system instead of money so buy your coupons first before purchasing any food.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday (since it’s only open on the weekends). This market, the most complex and intricate marketplace, is the place where you can find everything and anything, from Thai souvenirs and fashionable clothing to furniture and pets! However, please be mindful of the locations of the shops you like because it can be a difficult maze to navigate. However, there is now an app to help guide the way of this shopping maze. If you get tired, stop for a massage, a Thai meal or refreshing coconut ice cream!
Asiatique
Asiatique is another great shopping stop along the river. You can read more details about this hip tourist joint in our blog post.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
If you are looking for an authentic floating market, you’ll have to make a two-hour trek outside of Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here, you can hop on a boat that will take you along the colorful waterside market stalls and boats.
