Travel bucket list idea:
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
|With its gleaming mega-malls and ramshackle riverside markets, Bangkok makes it dangerously easy to part with a whole lot of baht.
World-class shopping malls like CentralWorld and ICONSIAM house boutiques from almost every brand under the sun, while young Thai designers hawk indie fashion labels and funky home goods from stamp-sized boutiques around Pratunam and Siam Square.
And when these clock out, a slew of night markets pop up as neon-lit treasure troves with handicrafts and vintage clothes to paw through until well after midnight.
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
You’ll find gorgeous tactile ceramics on the shelves of this Japanese-inspired pottery shop just off Chinatown’s main drag. The owners make the vases, mugs and plates in the studio upstairs, and guests are welcome to take a look.
Min age -10
Best for ages -88+
Bangkok, Thailand
With galleries, concept stores and art markets amalgamating into a kaleidoscope of creativity, Bangkok’s de-facto design district offers an excellent primer on the city’s burgeoning creative scene.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Rising from the ground like a giant swirl of steel, this ultra-luxurious mall in Phloen Chit houses the typical Chanel, Hermes and Jimmy Choo, but is also an excellent spot to pick up smart (albeit pricy) souvenirs from homegrown luxury labels like Jim Thompson, Siwilai and S’uvimol.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
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The world’s biggest weekend market is a treasure trove of antiques, handicrafts and quirky fashion by homegrown designers, and a walking buffet of Thai comfort food.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: Weekend
When: Friday pm -Sunday
Frequency: weekly
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Flaming woks balancing on tiny canoes, mountains of fresh fruits – Bangkok’s floating markets are a kaleidoscope of Thai-tinged wonder. That said, their old-timey charm has long faded as souvenirs shops have replaced most noodle joints. It’s a fun day out, but no longer an authentic experience.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Heaving with jasmine, orchids and marigolds, Bangkok’s flower market is a mesmerising riot of colours, floral scents and boisterous vendors. Visit after midnight, when wholesalers drop off their wares and the market is at its liveliest.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Tucked away in an unassuming street snaking off Ratanakosin, the little-visited Nang Loeng Market feels frozen in time. It’s a street food hotspot, especially in the early mornings – don’t miss the crispy roasted pork at Jib Ki and the traditional Thai desserts at Nanta.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Part furniture rental studio, part cabinet of curiosities, Papaya Studio in the little-visited Lad Phrao suburb is a kooky spot to browse everything from life-sized Spiderman figures, Rococo mirrors and vintage pinball machines. Four stories filled with a million pieces of furniture and decoration.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Tucked behind Siam’s air-conditioned mega-malls, this labyrinth of alleys is a creative hub for artsy boutiques, trinket stores and beauty salons frequented by Bangkok’s hip young things.
Best for ages 13+
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand
Taking over a set of warehouses in the Prawet suburb some 30 minutes from downtown, this 2,000-stall night market is a magnet for Thai hipsters on the hunt for vintage film posters, second-hand sneakers and Japanese collectibles.
Best for ages 13+
With some exception at tourist-centric mar-kets such as Asiatique and the Chatuchak Weekend Market, bargaining isn’t commonly practiced anymore.
Fake luxury goods have made way for copies of popular streetwear, expect to find NAIKE sneakers and Adidos sweatpants at some of the bigger tourist markets – but convincing dupes are harder to spot.
Generally, food at the markets is freshly prepared and of adequate quality. Vendors might insist you try a bite (as a free sample), but it rarely ends up as hassling.
Most shops and shopping malls open all year round, seven days a week, from 10am to around 8pm.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Central Thailand, Thailand
From dazzling temples to dizzying nightlife, Thailand’s capital is a dish of delicious contradictions that beffudles the senses. One of the world’s most dizzying, fast-paced cities, home to the glittering Grand Palace.
