Guide to use and enjoy the markets of Bangkok
Beach or mountain tourism? Rural or city? There is cultural tourism, hiking, climbing, diving... there is gastrotourism and there is wine tourism , but, what do you think if we talk about markets ?
Getting lost in the markets of unknown cities, cultures and distant countries is one of the greatest pleasures we can find when traveling. If anyone hasn't tried it, please do. . It doesn't matter if it's in a cheese market in France, the refined Chealsea Market in New York, the souk in Marrakech or the Sant Antoni market in Barcelona.
The fact is that these places, frequently crowded, tell us about their people, of their culture and customs . What they are passionate about and what they are not.
From market to market in Bangkok
It would be possible to organize single-theme trips dedicated to discovering the microcosm of the markets of a single region , but now we are not for those things. If this hypothetical travel agency existed, it would start with Southeast Asia, due to its great tradition in markets of all kinds. Thailand, for example, would be a good start and of course, its capital, **Bangkok,** has a lot to say.
Bangkok is for many the capital of Southeast Asia. Granted, it's true that there's Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, and also Kuala Lumpur. Even Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. But there is something about Bangkok that elevates it with the imaginary crown of the nonexistent capital of an invented subcontinent. Debatable? It can, but there are so many reasons to defend it...
So let's talk about some of its markets.
PHRATUNAM MARKET, SURROUNDINGS AND PALLADIUM NIGHT MARKET
You have to walk a bit to get to this area, but the stations Ratchathewi, Chit Lom and Ratchaprarop they would serve Obviously you can always take a taxi. Although there is a more authentic way to get there. We talked about arriving by boat.
Bangkok night markets
We are not referring to any tourists like those that are caught in the Chao Phraya River, but the authentic ones, the public transport of the citizens of Bangkok. All benches with seats, without space for milongas, with the collector contorting around the outside of the barge to charge us ten baht under monsoon water.
With an awning that will give way when we go to take the jump to the pier that will take us out of there and leave us drenched with the polluted water from the Bangkok rain. In case some intrepid have not been dissuaded from this triumphant arrival, let him know that the canal is the Khlong Saen Saep and the pier is that of Pratunam , which leaves us very close to the Palladium.
We have included the two markets together because separating this area is difficult. Everything ends up united by the same atmosphere. It is recommended to go at night.
In the Palladium there is an indoor shopping center where clothes are mostly sold. Around there are plenty of food stalls. Behind there is a huge esplanade full of little stalls to eat. It's the night market. If we walk a few more streets we will arrive at the Phratunam market, which is both for clothing and food. In these areas nobody expects to defend themselves in English.
The stalls of the Charo Phraya
NIGHT MARKET SOI 38
If one night we get off at the thonglong station we will find ourselves in front of the night market of Sukhumvit Soi 38.
Everything is also sold here, but mostly it is to enjoy a good Pad Thai, some fresh fish, skewers, crispy chicken with rice and for the bravest we leave the insects in batter.
This market is similar to some areas between Phratunam and Palladium, in that the food stalls are along the streets and not in a single esplanade, which makes it much more fun to get lost. Not much tourism arrives either but you can already speak some English.
Arriving at Soi 38 Market
CHATUCHAK MARKET
Here we will find everything, but let's say that it is the most touristic for a reason; for being him world's largest weekend market.
It is said that there are some 15,000 stores, so gift shopping can be left for when you visit Chatuchak.
It is true that it is impressive for its dimensions. It is usually crowded and it is more about buying clothes or other objects than food, although there are also several areas, with their tables, enabled for it.
It is worth visiting, of course, but you don't have to see it in its entirety either. It is neither possible nor worth it, because after thirty minutes we will begin to see that at all stops They sell more or less the same and we will begin to think that we have already been there.
Chatuchak Market
ROT FAI TRAIN NIGHT MARKET
This is the most hipster of all . Like many others, a part is also divided to dine at different stalls and another to buy clothes or souvenirs.
It has a lot of atmosphere and is an area where groups of young -and modern- Thais usually go out for dinner, taking advantage of the fact that, sometimes, there is live music.
We will find it near the Thailand Cultural Center station.
Bon appetit with that Pad Thai.