There are a lot of countries to choose from in Asia if shopping is the number one item in your list of priorities during your trip. If you decide to go to Thailand for your shopping hunt then I am very sure that Thailand will not disappoint you. You will surely be excited with the variety of merchandise that are available to you and the best part is you can extend your shopping time until late at night because of the dependable night markets of Thailand.

These night markets are highly accessible if you come from most hotels in the country. A personal favourite of mine is the elegant business hotel, the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel Bangkok. I like it because all its 387 beautifully designed rooms and first class amenities are strategically located at the heart of Bangkok. After your day activities, you can head back to your hotel to freshen up and go out again for your night shopping.

During one of my trips to Thailand a couple of years ago, I got to try night shopping at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar which was located smack at the center of Bangkok right next to the Lumpini Park. I took the MRT subway and got off at the Lumpini Station then just walked for a few minutes until I reached the Lumpini Park. It could be because of my extreme excitement that was why I was already there when the stalls opened at 6:00 pm. One of the first things that I noticed was a temple-looking structure that served as a famous landmark for the market. Items for sale included jewelry, clothes, footwear, home decor, compact discs, bags, and even fruits.It was a challenge to search through tiny passageways that were lined with thousands of stores. But aside from shopping, I had a fantastic time finding my way along covered walkways that led towards rows of bars and restaurants that serve local Thai, Mexican, Indian, Japanese, German and even Italian cuisines that can fit any traveller’s budget. I got a bit tired from all the shopping so I decided to rest so that I could do a little bit of people watching. I also had the chance to watch a local band perform the latest local and international music on the plaza stage for free! There was a Muay Thai boxing arena nearby as well but I it was a shame that I was not able to squeeze in time to watch a match.

Thailand is also famous for the Patpong Night Market, a place also referred to as the red light district in Bangkok. It can be found at the Silom area and can be reached by taking the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS). Coming from the Siam Station and departing at the Sala Daeng Station, you can then take the exit that goes down the right hand stairs and follow the vendors at the sidewalk. It is open daily from 6:00 pm until 1:00 am. As expected, it is a place that is always very busy and buzzing non-stop with the commotion from the rows of girly bars that line the narrow walkways. You can also hear all the haggling of foreigners in nearby stores. If you ask locals what places you should go to during your Thailand vacation, they will surely mention the notorious district of Patpong as a must-visit. You would have to keep in mind, though, that there are vendors that take advantage of foreigners and add about 20% to the standard prices of their items when you ask them about the price. It is advisable that you scout around first before making any purchases and don’t be shy to haggle or ask for bargains most especially if you plan to buy more than one item.

In another part of Thailand, you can visit a shopping heaven called the Chiang Mai Night Market. This is located at Changklan Road which can be found at the heart of Chiang Mai’s downtown. The entire Changklan Road is occupied on both sides by stalls that operate everyday from 6:00 pm until 12:00 midnight. The market is overflowing with great finds from interesting t-shirts, handbags, lamps, footwear, watches and even weapons like daggers and knives. There are also accessories and jewelry items like pieces that are made of jade, gold and silver with delicate details. There are also furniture that are made of wood with beautiful carvings. Aside from items that are made of wood, there are also celadon ceramics, bronze sculptures, and lovely lacquer ware that would be nice home decorations. Buy some to give away to your family and friends.

It is quite difficult to believe that these areas can be so vibrant and so alive at night when during the day, there aren’t so many things happening there. It is as if the vendors recharge from their hectic nights of bargaining during the day. But when the sun starts to fade in the horizon the areas of these night markets begin to come alive again as if by some stroke of unexplainable magic.

Posted in Thailand, Things to do

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