Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations due to its extravagant nightlife. However, if you really want to get to know a culture like the ones found in Thailand, you definitely should visit its markets.
What are the best night markets in Thailand? The best night markets in Thailand include:
- Asiatique
- Chatuchak Friday Night Market
- Saphan Phut Night Market
- Rot Fai Market (Ratchada)
- Chang Chui
- Khaosan Road
- Yaowarat Road Night Market
- Artbox Night Market
All these markets have something special to offer its visitors. In the remainder of this article, we will thoroughly discuss each one of the amazing night markets that can be found in Thailand so that you can decide which ones are worth checking out during your next trip.
What Makes Thailand’s Night Markets Special?
You may be wondering: what do Thailand’s night markets have that regular daytime markets don’t? What makes night markets more unique than regular day markets is that they are somewhat special events of their own where many different vendors and performers come together, forming a community where extravagance is the norm. You can really see the best of Thai culture at a night market.
Some night markets specialize more in food, usually due to their location or their tradition. Other markets focus more on the artistic and entertainment side of things. However, at every night market, you will always find something to do, something to purchase, and something to eat.
In summary, you will find at night markets lots of events and products that you would not find at regular day markets otherwise.
8 Best Night Markets in Thailand
The following list describes some of Thailand’s best night markets to visit. All these markets can be found in or near the city of Bangkok, although you are sure to find a few popular markets not mentioned here around other major cities.
1. Asiatique
One of the most popular, clean, and organized night markets, Asiatique is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. At this market, you can find fine restaurants, bars, and entertainment such as the Calypso Ladyboy Cabaret.
However, the staple attraction of the Asiatique night market is its breathtaking scenery. The main way to get to the market is by traveling by small boat, making the trip an attraction of its own. And in the market, itself, you can find Asiatique’s giant Ferris wheel, which will provide you with the best view of the river and Bangkok.
In Asiatique, you will find retail shops that are a little more on the expensive side. However, this price is justified by their higher quality and more exotic goods.
The night market is open from 4 pm to midnight.
2. Chatuchak Friday Night Market
The Chatuchak market is like any other weekend market that is open throughout the day and closes at night. However, the night market opens every Friday night. Its stores and restaurants offer a fantastic collection of items ranging from exotic foods to antique artworks.
Chatuchak can get very crowded, mostly with tourists. For this reason, vendors tend to fix their prices with the intent of getting the most out of visitors, but every price is negotiable, so don’t hesitate to try to reach a better deal.
Chatuchak is massive, and it is a maze of stalls and tents. This is definitely one of those locations you will need to keep coming back to visit every now and then if you plan on staying in Thailand for a couple of Fridays. You can also visit during the daytime on the weekends, which are usually more packed and have different vendors.
The night market is in Bangkok and open Fridays from 9 pm to 3 am.
3. Saphan Phut Night Market
The Saphan Phut Night Market is well-known because of its wide clothing variety; this is due to the overwhelming teenage customer demographic that shops here. However, you can also find many extravagant food stands along the road.
The main advantages of this market are that it is less well known as the other night markets, so it has smaller crowds and lower prices. It also has a wide fashion collection, be it clothing, tattoos, or piercings.
The night market is in Bangkok and open from 8 pm to 12 am.
4. Rod Fai Market (Ratchada)
The Rod Fai Market in Ratchada, which is usually referred to as the “Train Market,” is one of the most iconic night markets in Bangkok. The reason why we are looking into the Ratchada location is because it is more popular than the original Rod Fai Market next to a Thailand railroad (although smaller).
The Ratchada Rod Fai Market is an organized chaos of stalls and tents. It offers an immense variety of food, and the food stalls tend to be organized closer together for easier browsing. You can also find a plethora of stalls offering vintage furniture and clothing, and many other curiosities to take with you after your journey into such a diverse market.
Another signature characteristic of the Rod Fai Market is its multi-colored tents, which really work to set a mood of extravagance during the night and is perfect for photographs.
The night market is open Thursday through Sunday from 6 pm to 12 am.
5. Chang Chui
The Chang Chui night market is one of the newer and more artistic markets present in Bangkok. In Chang Chui, you can find a large variety of repurposed items such as vehicles, scrapped building materials, etc. that have been turned into art and even into new buildings such as restaurants and shops.
Perhaps the market’s most famous example is the Thai restaurant inside an old airplane located in the middle of the market. Art such as this gives Chang Chui its signature reputation as an artistic center. Also, it hosts many art shops, bookstores, and theatres.
All of this is not to say that Chang Chui lacks in the food department. It is home to some of the most diverse and unique food stalls, including snackable insects and craft beers.
The night market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 pm to 11 pm.
6. Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road is one of the best locations to purchase useful items as a backpacker. It is full of convenience stores with items for travel hygiene and souvenirs, clothing stores with a wide variety of attires for every situation, transportation ticketing stations, food stalls, and entertainment.
This market is definitely a must to visit during your last days in Thailand, as you will find here just about anything you might need to return home or to continue with your travels.
The night market is in Bangkok and open from 3 pm to 2 am.
7. Yaowarat Road Night Market
Yaowarat Road Night Market is one of the best markets if what you are looking for is a wild culinary experience. The road goes through Chinatown, so this is where two culinary cultures— Chinese and Thai—collide.
The market also takes advantage of Bangkok’s access to seafood, so you will be able to find all sorts of sea-based cuisine, including oyster omelets and shark fin soup—the list goes on. You can also find a wide variety of desserts from around the world.
Yaowarat’s main focus is food. However, you can also find souvenir and clothing stalls present, along with some other options for entertainment. This market is definitely worth a visit if you’re a seafood fan, and you’re hungry.
The night market is open from 6:30 pm to 12 am.
8. Artbox Night Market
Artbox is one of the more peculiar night markets in Thailand. Artbox is not so much about food and souvenirs (although this is not to say that you will not find either here). Instead, it focuses on art and youth culture.
What makes this market stand out from the others is that it is a traveling market, which means that it moves around different parts of Thailand and even across other parts of the world. Here you will find handmade products, art, fashion, street food, and a wide variety of entertainment.
If you wish to visit the Artbox night market, you should definitely follow their Facebook page to be aware of where and when it will establish itself and plan your trip to Thailand accordingly, since no matter what time you visit, you will also find other local markets open.
The night market is in Bangkok and is usually open from 4 pm to 11 pm.
Quick Night Market Tips
Now that you have an idea of which night markets you may check out on your next trip to Thailand, the following are a few final quick tips you should keep in mind before you visit:
- Night markets are full of vendors of all sorts. Some vendors in Thailand’s night markets try to make their prices higher to get more money from tourists. However, don’t hesitate to negotiate the price to get it closer to something you are more comfortable with. For reasons such as these, knowing at least a little of the Thai language is definitely a plus.
- It is also worth mentioning that you must be aware of any scams and to keep your personal items close to you and secure since you will mostly be navigating through crowds. Stick to the touristy areas, and your trip to Thailand and its night markets will be memorable and go without a hitch.
In Summary
Thailand has lots to offer in just about every aspect, from gastronomy to entertainment. There are many night markets available for you to visit, but most of the popular night markets are in Bangkok. There are many night markets out there besides the ones mentioned here. Don’t hesitate to visit many different night markets during your stay in Thailand. You will always find something new in each one of them, and you will certainly not regret it.
