Pratunam Shopping Market
Baiyoke Sky Hotel
Markets are a fundamental part of Bangkok life and Pratunam Shopping Market is certainly no exception. The name of the market means Water Gate. I have yet to establish why or what the name refers to. Locals here are not saying a word. Perhaps they simply don't know. Anyway it's not really that great an importance. I can only imagine that it's possibly because of the intricate series of canals that connect the greater portion of the population to the inner city. Lots of boats travel up and down these waterways daily. They provide a safe and convenient form of transportation as opposed to the congested street traffic. Not only that, they offer a faster way to get to the many markets. Water Taxis are the answer. The core business generated at Pratunam Market is clothing, thus making it one of the major players in this particular industry. It is also possibly the best market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in Bangkok. Chatuchak Weekend Market may well be selling cheaper clothes but this market has two distinct advantages. First and foremost, the market remains open virtually all day and night. Secondly, English is both spoken and understood here. It just makes shopping that much easier and also greatly helps when trying to negotiate better wholesale prices.
Water Taxis near the Market
The market is situated at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi Roads directly behind the Amari Watergate Hotel and then continues all the way around the streets surrounding both the Indra Regent and the Baiyoke Sky hotels. On my first trip to Bangkok, I stayed at the Baiyoke Sky. It is the tallest building as well as the tallest hotel in the city so it's not that difficult to miss. It may not be the best of hotels to stay in but the hotel does offer much bigger rooms than most other hotels in similar categories. There is however a nice observation deck on the 77th floor and a revolving restaurant on the 84th floor. Non residents are welcome to gain access to both of the floors between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm I did stay once at the Indra Regent but this is one hotel in Bangkok, I would not recommend. Although the hotel has a large shopping arcade on the premises and a comfy coffee shop, the hotel itself has a rather damp and clammy feel about it.
If you should walk along Ratchaprarop Road, you will soon notice a fair number of extremely narrow and dimly-lit alleyways, all jam-packed with a chaotic collection of small shops and even smaller stalls. Both locals and tourists alike jostle around for whatever available space there is, so as to move up and down the lanes with relative ease and with as little discomfort as can be possible. You may love it or you may hate it but one thing is for certain, because this is a natural part of life in Thailand, it may well be an experience, you shouldn't miss.
Narrow Alleyways at Pratunam Market
The surrounding streets outside Pratunam market is abuzz with lots of lively stalls and their vendors selling a variety of inexpensive merchandise. Here you can buy all sorts of goodies from the latest male and female fashion garments, costume jewellery, local handicrafts, fake watches, designer lighters and whatever else may take your fancy. Don't forget to practice your bargaining skills. It's also advisable to wear a good pair of walking shoes as you will do a lot of that here. The market is very close to
Panthip Plaza
on the new Phetchaburi Road where you can shop for computer hardware and software, photographic equipment and mobile phones. There is also
Central World Plaza
nearby which is the upmarket shopping complex situated on the corner of Petchaburi and Ratchaprarop Roads.
T-Shirts for Sale at the Market
If you have any issues, questions or suggestions regarding the subject matter on this page that you would like to ask or inform me about, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will do my level best to answer any questions or queries you have. Return from Pratunam Clothing Market to Bangkok Markets
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