Shopping markets
The local markets offer a vibrant scene for shoppers with serious bargaining skills. Unlike shopping complexes with fixed prices, here you can polish your flair for negotiating. The most popular markets are Chatuchak (within its sprawling 35 acres or 1.13 sqkm it’s quite normal to get lost), Pahurat (silk and fabric), Sampeng (copies of CDs/ DVDs), Pratunam (clothes and accessories) and Suan Luam Night Bazaar (with a beer garden and a stage for local pop band wannabes).
Shopping - Night market
Many Bangkok shops stay open until 10 pm. For later shopping, Suan Luam Night Bazaar offers a huge parking space, food stalls & cafés, a beer garden, handicrafts, fashion apparel shops, and hundreds of different stalls. On Silom Road, Patpong Night Market in the centre of the famous go-go bar district, has everything from watches and DVD movies to A-grade copies of brand items. Along Sukhumvit Road you find most of them from Soi 3 to Soi 19.
Floating market
What may seem like total chaos on the network of canals is actually a fascinating and unique way of doing business for the Thais. The sight of the boat ladies traversing the canals in their row boats piled with exotic fruit, handicrafts, foods and spices, is one that has attracted tourists for many years. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is reminiscent of the way Thais lived in years gone by. The market is about 2 hours drive from Bangkok.Bargaining Tips
Smile - it will get you a long way in Bangkok! If you can, find a place with lots of side street shops. Anywhere on Silom or Sukhumvit road after sunset should do the trick. Select the item(s) you want and ask the vendor the price. It helps if you have a bottom line price in mind when you commence haggling. Remember too, that buying multiple items always translates to a cheaper price per unit, and the vendor will generally ask how many you want to purchase. You can counter offer and work your way up till you reach a price you are happy with. Walk away if the vendor won’t accept your offer – if your price is reasonable the vendor will always follow you with a cry of “OK, OK”. Also keep in mind that whilst it is your prerogative to dig your heels in and refuse to pay a few extra baht, the difference may equate to a meal on the table for the vendor.
