What are the best night markets in Bangkok is a frequently asked question as visiting one of those markets is among the top activities to do in Thailand’s capital during the evening.
These markets offer – apart from a wide variety of street and finger food – also plenty of shopping options, ranging from simple souvenirs to clothing and vintage goods.
It’s a perfect activity for a night’s out or a great way to start your night and end up at one of the many nightlife areas Bangkok has to offer.
Night markets are visited by both foreigners and Thai as food and drinks come cheap and the larger night markets in Bangkok are bustling and exciting.
In this article, we cover the most relevant night markets in Bangkok that are suitable for foreigners, meaning that we won’t recommend tiny night markets in Bangkok.
Visiting one of these night markets is a guarantee for a good night out. With that being said, let’s jump to our results.
The iconic, colourful tents of Train Market Ratchada are gone as the market is closed permanently. But for the new best night markets in Bangkok, keep reading!
In brief:
What are the best night markets in Bangkok?
The best night markets in Bangkok are Jodd Fairs, Srinakarin Night Market, Chang Chui Plane Night Market, The One Ratachada, Indy Market, Chatuchak’s Friday Night Market, and Hua Mum Night Market.
Alternatively, you can explore Chinatown and Khao San Road by night, however, these places don’t offer the shopping options that the others do.
Besides, it’s not even a designated area like the first five mentioned night markets.
Chatuchak is also kind of an alternative option when it comes to night markets.
But on the weekends, it’s an amazing market to visit during the day as well as during the dawn. On Friday evening, there are limited options, which we shall explain in detail further down this article.
Overview of the best night markets in Bangkok:
| Name of the night market in Bangkok | What makes this night market in Bangkok so special? | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Jodd Fairs | The most popular night market in Bangkok, but crowdy. Lots of street food and entertaining venues. | 16:00 – 00:00 daily |
| 2. Train Night Market Srinakarin | The only train market left in Bangkok, this is a local favourite, large market with vintage, goods, street food and bars. | 17:00 – 00:30 (Thurs – Sun) |
| 3. Chang Chui Plane Night Market | One of the most unique night markets, a bit upscale, built around an airplane, surrounded with scrap yard art. | 11:00 – 23:00 daily |
| 4. The One Ratchada | One of the newest night markets at the same location as the old Ratchada night market, but from a different organization. | 16:00 – 00:00 daily |
| 5. Indy Market | An authentic night market that is popular among Thai, not as exciting as others but at least you will be the only tourist. | 16:00 – 00:00 daily |
| 6. Chatuchak Weekend Market | On Friday evening, the market is far less crowded than during the daytime on Saturday and Sunday, but many shops are closed. If you like art, it’s worth visiting. | 18:00 – 23:00 (Friday) |
| 7. Hua Mum Night Market | Unique night market that mainly caters Thai, home to one of the most unique restaurants with dancing bar men. | 17:00 – 01:00 daily |
| Alt. #1. Chinatown at Night | Although not a designated night market like the others, this is food heaven. Ultimate street food experience and you can explore the alleys of Yaowarat for nice bars too. | 18:00 – 01:00 daily |
| Alt. #2. Khao San Road | On Khao San Road and on some nearby roads you can find goods for tourists. Nice to explore before a wild night at the party street of Khao San Road. | 19:00 – 02:00 daily |
| Alt. #3 Ong Ang Walking Street | Nice little evening market where you can spot street art. You can easily combine a visit to this tiny night market for some pictures before heading to Chinatown. | 16:00 – 22:00 (Fri – Sun) |
The best night markets in Bangkok:
1. Jodd Fairs – The most popular night market in Bangkok
When it comes to night markets in Bangkok, Jodd Fairs is by far the most convenient and complete night market you can find.
Before COVID struck Bangkok, Ratchada Train Night Market was by far the most popular market, however, it depended hugely on tourists which were not there for almost two years.
As a result, the organization of Ratchada had to close the market. But once the borders of Thailand were open for tourists again, the organization picked a new and more convenient area where it modernized the market and rebranded it as Jodd Fairs.
Although the recognizable coloured tents are gone and replaced by simple white tents, the quality of the tents has improved and so do the vendors.
The popular vendors from the previous Ratchada market still sell their goods and foods, but many new vendors have found a spot at the market too.
In the middle section, visitors can walk around and find all sorts of goods, ranging from clothes, sunglasses and handcrafted jewellery. At the outer stands of the market, there is an abundance of food and drinks.
There are more than six hundred food vendors to be found at this market, which offer street and finger food as well as a dine-in experience.
While the previous Ratchada Train Market offered an area with loud bars, Jodd Fairs offer a more subtle bar area, which we believe makes the market far more accessible for people. But rest assured, there are plenty of bars with live music that keep you entertained until midnight.
Jodd Fairs is located behind a shopping mall called Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 and you can easily access it by taking the metro (MRT) to MRT Station Phra Nam 9. The previously Ratchada Train Market was located just one metro station further.
Why Jodd Fairs is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- central and convenient location
- huge variety of foods and drinks
- the most popular night market in Bangkok for both Thai and foreigners.
Opening times: 16:00 – 00:00 daily.
For more information, check out our article about Jodd Fairs Night Market.
!!! Important: Jodd Fairs is by far the most popular one and it gets busy real easy. Getting a taxi back is also a pain in the butt, due to increased traffic.
So, it’s important to know that there are many night markets and thus alternatives.
Personally, I would highly recommend choosing Srinakarin, Chang Chui, and The One over Jodd Fairs. These markets are busy too, but not as crowded as Jodd Fairs.
The colourful tents are gone, a well-organized night market has returned.
Iconic dishes such as the Leng Zabb at Tiao Mae Klong also are back at Jodd Fairs.
2. Srinakarin Train Night Market – Vintage, antiques and plenty of food!
Srinakarin Train Night Market is a night market in Bangkok from the same organization as the previously recommended Jodd Fairs. In fact, Srinakarin is older than Ratchada, which had to be closed because of the lack of visitors during COVID.
As night markets need quite some space to put all those vendors in one area, night markets are often located a bit outside the main city centre. So, as you might have guessed, to visit Srinakarin, you have to travel a bit. But it’s definitely worth the trip and here is why:
Compared to Ratchada back then and Jodd Fairs now, the night market at Srinakarin is far more laid-back and this is because it’s a much larger market that is definitely not as crowded as Jodd Fairs. And as it’s located a bit outside the city centre, the majority of its visitors are Thai, so you will experience a more authentic vibe compared to Jodd Fairs.
The market itself is divided into several sections, where at the start of the market, you can find an abundance of street and finger food. Walking further the market, you will find mainly vendors that sell clothes, sunglasses, flip-flops, souvenirs and gadgets. But then there is the best part of Srinakarin: vintage stores. Srinakarin is known for its vintage stores which are located in modernized old buildings and just walking around looking at cool vintage goods is an experience on its own.
Once you’re hungry and you want a decent meal, you visit the outer parts of the market where you find actual restaurants either inside or on a shipping container or inside an actual brick building. And at the far end of the market, there is an area where you can spot oldtimers and hot rod cars but also more vintage and antique stores.
In order to get to Srinakarin, for most tourists, your best bet is to take the BTS to On Nut and from there, take a taxi. Srinakarin Train Night Market is located in the direction of Suvarnabhumi Airport. In the near future, there will be BTS Line that takes you straight to this market, however, the construction of this line is not finished yet.
Why Srinakarin is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- a huge night market with plenty of authenticity that’s focussed on vintage goods, antiques, finger and street food
- a place where mostly Thai spend their evening.
Opening times: 17:00 – 01:00 Thursday until Sunday.
For more information, check out our article about Srinakarin Night Market.
A laid-back night market with plenty of food and of course the popular vintage stores.
3. Chang Chui Plane Night Market – Upscale market with an actual airplane
As said earlier, night markets in Bangkok, especially the larger ones, are located outside the city centre. But compared to all these tiny night markets that won’t blow you away, Chang Cui Plane Night Market is absolutely worth the travel. Why? Because the concept is so unique, you won’t find a market like this elsewhere.
As the name suggests, Chang Chui Plane Market is built around a large airplane, a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar of which the interior is completely removed. They decorated the interior completely with antiques and when you want to get out of the plane, you simply take the slide. Around this plane, you can find eighteen separate buildings made from recycled materials.
The whole market is well-organized and offers more upscale drink and food options compared to the other night markets in Bangkok, but it’s all worth it. They even serve food made with insects.
But aside from the big aeroplane right in the centre, the market is also known for its art and decorations.
Especially the scrap metal art pieces are impressive. You can find a vintage cinema, several trendy shops and plenty of food and drink venues that serve craft beers and richly filled cocktails. The only downside is that it’s located a bit away from the city centre, namely at Taling Chan.
The closest MRT Station is Bang Son MRT, which is still a fifteen-minute drive away from the market. But you won’t regret this visit!
Tip #1: the market is open during the day, however, in the evening when it’s dark, the ambient lighting brings the market to the next level when it comes to atmosphere.
Tip #2: for those who are excited about aeroplanes, there is a cafe in Lat Krabang where you can get coffee inside an old Boeing 747. You even get a flight ticket when you order a coffee here. The name of this cafe is 747 Aeroplane Cafe.
Why Chang Chui Night Market is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- a one-of-a-kind market with excellent (slightly upscale) food and drinks
- a unique atmosphere you won’t find elsewhere in the country.
Opening times: 11:00 – 23:00 Daily.
Chang Chui Plane Market is known for its impressive art. A one-of-a-kind night market in Bangkok!
4. The One Ratchada Night Market – Your go-to-market before exploring Bangkok’s nightlife
The newest night market in Bangkok is located in a well-known area, namely where the old Ratchada Train Night Market was located. On the exact same ground where the hugely popular and somewhat famous Ratchada market was held is now The One Ratchada. To be clear, it’s not the same organization as Jodd Fairs nor Srinakarin, but a completely new organization.
One of the biggest differences between Jodd Fairs and The One, as these two are from now on competitors, is that The One is a much larger market than Jodd Fairs. But size doesn’t always matter. Like all the other night markets, there is an abundance of (street) food, although not as extensive as Jodd Fairs and even the previous Ratchada Night Market. Jodd Fairs does have a few famous vendors, but the food at The One is definitely of an equal standard.
Aside from food, visitors can shop until they drop, although there is not a vintage section like at Srinakarin. Overall, The One has to prove itself against Jodd Fairs and Srinakarin. And we honestly believe this market will be a success based on three things.
First of all, the market is much larger than most other night markets, which allows you to stroll around in comfort.
Secondly, the market is a modern market of the same quality as Jodd Fairs.
Lastly, and this is the part that will set The One apart from the rest, there is a good vibe where people can enjoy cheap drinks and listen to either live music or EDM. The previous Ratchada Night Market was so popular among Thai as it was the perfect place to grab a few drinks before going out. The One Ratchada is trying to replicate that experience and they do a great job.
If you want to try out both Jodd Fairs and The One Ratchada, they are only one MRT Station (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT) away from each other. You can find The One Ratchada Night Market next to The Esplanade Bangkok.
Why The One Ratchada is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- larger night market than Jodd Fairs with a good vibe, plenty of street food.
- a great spot before exploring Bangkok’s nightlife.
Opening times: 18:00 – 00:00 Daily (Market is open earlier, but not all stalls are open yet).
5. Indy Night Market – Local market with great bars
This night market is located on the opposite side of the river in an area called Thonburi. As it’s located so far away from the common areas that foreigners usually visit, it’s an authentic night market where you barely find any tourists.
Usually, we don’t recommend these markets as it can be quite the hassle to reach the place, however, Indy Night Market is not only a relatively new market, it’s a pretty good market too.
Good news for those who love shopping: there is a huge variety of goods that are being sold. From clothes to sunglass and from leather shoes to handcrafts. You name it, they probably have it. If you’re looking for a unique back that fits your new dress, have a look at Indy Night Market.
Then, there is the food. Like all the other larger markets, there is so much food. From street food to actual restaurants where they often offer buffets, it’s there at Indy Night Market. As this market basically solely caters to the Thai living nearby, expect to find authentic Thai food as well as some somewhat unusual dishes with for example octopus heads. But a simple seafood barbecue is available too.
But the best part is the bar area. After wandering around and you might already be thirsty, most visitors love to enjoy some ice-cold beers or a set of mixers while listening to live music. The atmosphere is much different compared to The One Ratchada as the audience here is basically one hundred percent Thai, and that also means you will listen to live Thai music.
As always, the shopping takes place in the middle of the market while the bar and restaurant areas are located on the outskirts of the market. The market in general is quite large, although not as large as for example Srinakarin. As it’s a relatively new market, it’s a modern and clean market that invites you to visit it frequently.
Especially if you’re staying around the riverside of Bangkok, it’s definitely worth checking out. In the end, it’s a bit of a journey to reach the market. The best way for most travellers is to take the BTS to Wongwian Yai Station and from there, take a taxi to Indi Night Market or take a taxi straight to the market.
Tip: As Indy Night Market is known for it’s party-minded atmosphere, during Songkran, the festivities are held at the market as well. For those who don’t know, Songkran is Thai New Year and is being held at least between the 13th and 15th of April and is basically one large water gun fight.
Why Indy Market is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- Trendy new night market that attracts mainly Thai
- Great variety of great food, goods and great bars with Thai live music.
Opening times: 18:00 – 00:00 Daily.
6. Chatuchak’s Friday Night Market – Casual evening at the largest weekend market in the world
Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest weekend market in the world with over fifteen thousand stalls and up to three hundred thousand visitors a day (pre-COVID). As the name suggests, the market is only open on the weekends and visitors go on a shopping spree at stalls that offer art, clothes, antiques, vintage, souvenirs and jewellery.
But those who just love to go window-shopping can also fill their stomach at street food stalls, which are countless to be found here. For the majority of tourists, this is common knowledge, but what most tourists don’t know is that the market is already open on Friday evening.
Unfortunately, the majority of the stalls are closed on Friday evening, but there are some shops open and as it’s so unknown to many people, Friday evenings at Chatuchak are laid-back and you can do a bit of shopping without being walked over.
And if you’re interested to buy some art, the best time to visit Chatuchak is on Friday evening as the art section is open. Afterwards, head over to one of the funky bars to sip on strong cocktails or drink a few cheap ice-cold beers.
And when hungry, there is a good variety of street food to choose from.
Compared to the previously recommended night markets, Chatuchak does not offer as much shopping, otherwise, it would be far more crowded. But it’s still worth the visit for those who want to avoid the crowds.
For the full shopping experience, visit Chatuchak Weekend Market on either Saturday or Sunday. And if you still want to avoid the crowds on those days, visit the market in the late afternoon as most visitors tend to visit early to avoid the heat.
Chatuchak Weekend Market is located right next to Mo Chit BTS Station and the easiest way to get there is simply by using the BTS.
Why Chatuchak Friday Night Market is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- Alternative option at the best market, in general, in Bangkok.
- The downside is that not all shops are open, but it’s still worth it when you want to avoid the crowds.
Opening times: Friday: 18:00 – 23:00, Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00.
7. Hua Mum Night Market – The hidden gem
Although not the size of Srinakarin or Chatuchak, if you do want to pick a local night market in Bangkok, then definitely visit Hua Mum Night Market. The market has plenty to offer that other recommended markets also have.
There are shops, and an abundance of (street) food, drinks and music. But it’s definitely not as fancy as for example Chang Chui Plane Night Market or as well-organized as Jodd Fairs.
But as it’s located in Lat Phrao, which is north of the city centre, away from the main touristic areas, you won’t find (m)any tourists here. In other words, if you want to experience how night markets are where only Thai come to visit, then head over to Hua Mum.
And when it comes to shopping, there is a large area that offers everything you can possibly think of finding at a market.
Before, Hua Mum night market was the perfect hidden gem, but over the years, it does get discovered by non-Thai a tiny bit more, although the majority of the tourists end up at Jodd Fairs or maybe Srinakarin.
If you want to see the local parts of the city, a visit to Hua Mum is highly recommended. And to top that local experience with one of the weirdest restaurants in the city, head over to Stanee Mee Hoi, which is located at the market. It’s a restaurant where the male waiters serve the food shirtless and make freaky dance moves and noises. As you might expect, this restaurant is packed with young Thai girls who do appreciate the joke of it.
In order to get to Hua Mum Night Market, take the MRT to Lat Phrao MRT Station and take a taxi to the market, which is about a fifteen-minute drive. Unfortunately, there is no public transport that leads you straight to the market.
Why Hua Mum Night Market is among the best night markets in Bangkok:
- authentic, non-touristy market with an abundance of street food.
- mainly caters to Thai, there are barely any tourists.
Opening times: 17:00 – 01:00 Daily.
Alternative #1: Chinatown – Street food area
If you want to visit a proper night market in Bangkok, in my personal opinion, Chinatown does not count as one and here is why. So far, all the recommended night markets are designated areas that’s been designed to let visitors enjoy food, drinks and shopping in a small area where they can socialize and enjoy live music. That concept does not apply to Chinatown nor to the next recommended area.
But, Chinatown does offer an abundance of street food and is one of the top activities tourists do during the evening in Bangkok. That’s why several websites act as if it’s a night market, but we see it more as an alternative to night markets.
Yes, you can wander around the busy streets of this part of the city and there are plenty of shops too.
But it’s not the exact same experience you will have compared to markets like Jodd Fairs, Srinakarin and Chang Chui. During the day, you can visit these shops too namely. And most tourists will visit Chinatown anyway as it’s such an important and simultaneously different part of Bangkok.
So, if you have the time to visit one of the night markets we recommended earlier and visit Chinatown at night another day, we highly recommend you do so. You will notice for yourself that Chinatown and Khao San Road (the next alternative) are completely different from actual night markets.
Why Chinatown is a great alternative to night markets in Bangkok:
- When it comes to street food, Chinatown is among the best areas in Bangkok.
- Plenty of shops, souvenirs and even a fresh market, but does not feel like a typical night market like the others.
Opening times: 18:00 – 01:00 Daily, some famous street food shops are closed on Monday.
For more information, check out our article about Chinatown Bangkok Street Food.
Chinatown at night is always bustling, where the alleys are packed with street food vendors.
Alternative #2: Khao San Road – Nightlife area
Similar to Chinatown, Khao San Road is not a designated area like the night markets recommended in this article.
While Chinatown offers far more variation of street food, Khao San Road offers more clothes, flip-flops, sunglasses and other goods that you can find at night markets, but it’s mostly targeted young Western travellers.
Of course, the nightlife scene is much wilder than any other night market, but Khao San Road does not feel like a night market.
If you’re into partying, Khao San Road is an excellent area to explore some street food, do some shopping and end up getting hammered at one of the many bars.
And even though the street itself is completely renovated, it’s not the kind of evening activity you bring all your family to.
Again, if you have the time to visit one of the night markets we recommended earlier and visit Khao San Road at night another day, we highly recommend you do so.
Why Khao San Road is a great alternative to night markets in Bangkok:
- a vibrant nightlife area that’s hugely popular among young Thai and tourists with plenty of street food
- a decent variety of shopping options for tourists
- but it’s not a designated market nor a full market.
Opening times: 19:00 – 02:00 Daily, especially busy on Friday & Saturday.
Khao San Road is a popular area to stay at during the night, especially for the younger generations.
Alternative #3: Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street – Fun little market with street art
Technically speaking, Ong Ang is a night market, yes. However, compared to all the other markets in this article, Ong Ang is actually just a (walking) street. However, if you’re looking for something unique that doesn’t take that much time, Ong Ang is a great “market” to visit. And although it did not get an enthusiastic introduction, it is in fact quite a cool place. Let me tell you why.
In 2020, this part of a relatively poor district of Bangkok was finally opened as it underwent a full revitalization. The so-called Khlong (a canal) was completely cleaned up and a proper road on both sides of the canal was built along with bridges and nice fences. Honestly, the government did an amazing job and it almost feels like it’s not Bangkok but a European city.
One of the coolest things, aside from hunting for some souvenirs and street food, is witnessing street art. In this part of Bangkok, as well as other older parts such as Talad Noi, you can wander through the older alleys and see spectacular mural paintings and graffiti. In our article about the best places to visit in Bangkok, we dive deeper into Talad Noi.
When wandering around, make sure to take a picture at the Chinese Lantern Alley, which you can find on Google Maps. If you want to try eating food from a not-so-common gastronomy, head over to Little Bhutan, which is located right in the middle of Ong Ang Walking Street.
Overall, it’s fun to see this market if you pass by it. The ambient lighting makes it worth visiting when it’s dark. The best way to go to Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street is by taking the metro to the nearby Sam Yot MRT Station.
Tip: Visiting Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street can easily be combined with a visit to Chinatown. The so-called Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market), which is a popular tourist attraction, is also located nearby.
When planning accordingly, you can visit these three markets on the same evening without much hassle. Both the Flower Market and Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street are not markets where you spend hours wandering around.
Chinatown on the other hand is exciting to discover. After a full stomach, make sure to check out Soi Nana (Chinatown, not Sukhumvit) where you can find a bit of nightlife and unique (cocktail) bars.
Why Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street is a great alternative to night markets in Bangkok:
- a nice little night market close to Chinatown with a unique atmosphere and street art.
- a great spot for some Instagrammable-pictures.
Opening times: 16:00 – 22:00 Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Recommended to visit in the evening when the lights are on.
Map of the best night markets in Bangkok
Below, you’ll find the map with all the recommended night markets in Bangkok described in this article. The alternative night markets have different coloured icons.
Frequently asked questions about night markets in Bangkok:
What’s special about night markets in Bangkok?
Night markets are the ideal place for cheap (street) food, local bars and shopping. Due to the government’s policy of banning street food vendors from selling their food on sidewalks, the street food scene in Bangkok changed rapidly.
Designated areas such as night markets became the place to be for cheap eats and are nowadays the ideal place for an affordable night out.
The concentration of food vendors, vintage shops and small bars is only this dense at night markets, making it a great night activity for both tourists and locals.
Are night markets good for souvenir shopping?
Yes, at night markets, especially at Jodd Fairs and Srinakarin, you can find plenty of souvenirs.
However, there are night markets recommended in this article that mainly caters for Thai, and they don’t buy souvenirs.
One of the best places for souvenir shopping is MBK Centre, which is a shopping mall in Siam.
The majority of common souvenirs that you will find throughout the country can be bought here. Alternatively, the floating market Damnoen Saduak also offers a huge variety of souvenirs as it’s a tourist hotspot, but you will pay a premium price.
Which night markets should you avoid?
The night markets at Patpong, Ratchada, Artbox, and Talad Neon are either closed or of such low quality, that we do not recommend visiting them.
Asiatique is another night market that is often recommended by others, yet again, in our opinion, cannot compete against the quality, atmosphere and variety of shops as the five recommended night markets in Bangkok in this article along with the two alternatives.
In the next paragraphs, we dive deeper into each recommended night market and you’ll notice what makes them so unique.
There you have it, our recommendations when it comes to night markets in Bangkok. We hope we excite you and that you visit at least one of these night markets. There are many more night markets in Bangkok to discover, however, when you visit Bangkok for the first time, you want to go to one of the spectacular ones. The five recommended markets won’t disappoint you!
When visiting Bangkok, one of the most popular activities among tourists is exploring Bangkok’s street food scene. If you want to know where to find the most amazing street food in Bangkok, check out our article about Bangkok’s street food scene. If you’re planning to visit floating markets, have a look at our article about the best floating markets in Bangkok.
Check out our relevant articles below for more useful travel and food information about Bangkok.
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