Shop 'Til You Drop
- thebroketraveler
- Mar 16, 2019
- 5 min read
If you're planning on visiting Thailand, chances are you've seen pictures of the street markets, overflowing with everything from cheesy souvenirs to beautiful handmade art. It feels like there's a different market around every corner just waiting to be explored. So how do you make the most of the markets while you're there? Below, I've listed some helpful hints for shopping at Thai street markets:
Do your research!
Most likely, you know the vibe of markets you want to go to - nighttime, touristy, art and handmade items, weekend, etc. A lot of the markets in Thailand sell the same stuff and can feel redundant and like a waste of time. To avoid that, do your homework and learn about the different markets. At the end of this blog post, I've provided a list of some of the more well-known markets in the cities I visited.
Plan ahead.
I like to go into every trip I'm taking with some sort of itinerary, or at least an idea of what I want to do each day. Because there are so many markets so choose from (and some of them are not open every day), it's a good idea to plan them in accordance with your trip. For example, I knew I was going to a cooking class in Bangkok, and I knew the ? market was on the way home, so I planned to pop in after the cooking class. Paying attention to the details can save you so much time and money and will make your experience a lot more pleasant.
Know when to haggle...and when to not.
Sometimes it can be super fun to haggle with vendors to lower the price and get a fair deal. For example, I was looking at a sarong in Chiang Mai, and the vendor was offering it for 250 THB. A Thai woman walked into the stall and asked the price. He replied that it was 150 THB, but she walked out of the shop paying only 130 THB. I was able to get my sarong for 130 THB too because I knew to ask.
However, it's important to remember that some shops do not allow haggling! The retailers will find it rude and might ask you to leave. I found that you can usually tell right away if the retailer or vendor is willing to haggle through their interactions with you. Just don't forget to be respectful and polite! And when it comes to food, assume price is non-negotiable.
A few tips when it comes to haggling:
Don't offer the price first: ask how much, then work your way down from there.
Don't put all your money in one spot: divvy it up and put it in different parts of your wallet. This makes it look like you cannot pay the higher price, not that you are unwilling.
Have an idea of what you want to purchase...
Stepping into a market can be an extremely overwhelming experience. There's people everywhere, a million different things to look at, vendors trying to get your attention, and just a general commotion. You can find almost anything at these markets, so if you're looking for specific souvenirs, such as a Buddha figurine, a colorful scarf, jewelry, or a hand painted bowl, it can be helpful to go "on the hunt." I spent one night at a market just looking for a specific T-shirt I wanted to buy my boyfriend. I had seen one at a previous market and knew he would love it, but I knew the next market we were going to was cheaper.
Planning ahead like this can help tune out some of the craziness of the markets and make it more fun, almost like a treasure hunt!
...but bring some spare money for must-have surprises you might find!
With that being said, make sure you bring money for any extra things you find along the way. There are so many fun souvenirs and beautiful pieces of art that you will never expect to find, so don't sell yourself short. Have fun with it, and look for something truly spectacular.
I have also compiled a list of some of the best Thai markets by country so that you can have a better understanding of some of them:
Bangkok
Khao San Road: This was the first market we went to, and it was a blast! Beware, it's super touristy and crowded, but is so much fun for good beer, good food, and souvenirs. There are a lot of backpacker hostels and internet cafes here too.
Amphawa Floating Market: Amphawa is the second largest floating market in Bangkok, and we unfortunately did not get to go (that just means I get to back, right?). It's located outside the city and might not be the most convenient market to see, but it offers yummy seafood and some awesome sights. It's a very authentic, weekend market where vendors can sell you items straight from their boats.
Patpong Night Market: I stopped by this market after my cooking class, and it wasn't completely open yet. However, Patpong is extremely busy and offers a lot of knockoff brand name items. It was fun to dig around the souvenirs and clothes and look at everything, but I did not buy anything here.
Pak Khlong Talat flower market: This was another market we did not get to visit but is well known for its beautiful flowers and vegetables. It's colorful and chaotic but supposedly a must-see on your visit.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: This was definitely my favorite of the markets we visited and was also where I bought most of my souvenirs and purchases. We started at the center (the intersection of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road), but it spans for a few blocks on either side. There are also portions underneath in a mall-type area and vendors down some of the alleyways. Here I found beautiful art, including my hand painted incense box (we got to see the artist working, which was incredible), and a Buddha statue. I also bought gifts for my friends. My biggest advice would be to make sure you have plenty of time. There are so many vendors that you won't be able to see it all, but that shouldn't stop you from trying!
Chiang Mai Sunday Market: Unfortunately, we did not get to spend a Sunday in Chiang Mai and missed out on this one, but it is a very artistic market with lots of handmade crafts, as well as live music and delicious food. The street is closed off, and it has a very different vibe from the chaos and consumerism of the Night Bazaar.
Phuket: We did not go to any markets in Phuket because of a tight schedule and lots of things to do! However, we stayed near Kata Beach. At night, the area comes alive with fun shops, restaurants, and small tables set up selling art, jewelry, and souvenirs. Even though it wasn't a market, I didn't feel like we missed out.
Chillva Market: This has become a very up-and-coming, hipster outdoor market with lots of color and cute tents. It's a weekend market that offers pretty much everything and is extremely local.
Phuket Walking Street: I love the photos of this market because of its location in Phuket's Old Town. It's between rows of old buildings lit up with color-changing lights, it and offers lots of souvenirs. It's fairly commercial, but you can find some cool food here.
Malin Plaza: Located in Patong, this market offers your typical souvenirs. However, it is set apart by its food options. It is not typically as crowded as other markets but can be a good option if you are staying near Patong.
If you have any amazing Thai market stories to share, please send them my way! Happy shopping!
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