Pratunam and Baiyoke Markets, Bangkok

Sited in the Pratunam area, flanked by a number of hotels such as the Indra Regent, The Baiyoke Sky & the Baiyoke Boutique, I stumbled upon this paradise of wholesale shopping.

Unlike the body-to-body packed JJ Market and MBK, the Centre is almost devoid of tourists....which quite honestly, is quite god-sent! You'll see more of locals here.....hunting for the next available bargain. I wandered the Centre in awe, struck by the choices I faced. You'll get boutiques selling a galaxy of choices: Fashion men and women casual and work clothes, silk garments, toys, undergarments, souvenirs etc.

There is a food court here on the 2F, operating in the same Modus Operandi of the 6F food court in MBK Center. You buy coupons in denominations of 100 Bahts, pay for your food in these coupons, and get your fund on unused coupons before the end of the same day.

Open daily from 09:00 - 19:30.

And if Indra Square does not satisfy your insatiable need to spend Bahts till the last drop, the Platinum Fashion Mall (Think Chatuchak Market in a mall) is just walking distance away, another labyrinth of wandering eyes and sharp noses, digging for the next cheap and good deal. And on the weekends, the Pratunam Weekend Flea Market springs into life, clogging the streets around Pratunam with more human traffic.

What to buy: So how much Bahts you have in your wallet/purse/pockets? (grin)

What to pay: So how much Bahts you have in your wallet/purse/pockets? (grin)

It's like a flea market -- where stalls appear like mushrooms at a specific time of the day (twice a day in fact). We resolved to shop on the last day of our trip and it was a blast! After having our breakfast at the hotel, we just went down and outside our hotel there we saw the stalls of lots of clothes. :-)

I got my goods at bargained prices (wow I must be getting good at it), and was even able to buy for my mom and my sister.

Some vendors are rude though. I just noticed that vendors get easily irritated when we start haggling then we walk out. I was under a game plan that they will lower their prices when we pretend or really walk out. But some of them gets irritated and would just not allow us to haggle anymore. their attitude is like "i don't care if you buy or not, just go away". Maybe i'm just having a point of comparison here (between sellers in Manila, Hong Kong and Bangkok), or maybe it was just cultural difference.. oh well.

What to buy: Well. I loaded my baggage with lots of tamarind. :-) I was able to get 7 small packs for 100 baht at a Filipino travel agency/store behind the Baiyoke Suite. I bought like around 400 baht of tamarind! :-)

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Similar to all the roadside stalls all around Bangkok, Pratunum Market comes with no surprise. The only diferrence is that there is a high concentration of low end stalls selling all sort of stuffs in one small vacinity. More like the mini version of Chatuchak market but with less variety.

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Pratunam boast a number of malls and tons of street stalls with great deals on clothes and shoes.

What to buy: a sea of stalls selling everything from vibrant handbags, sunglasses and hand-made jewellery to beachwear and affordable souvenirs for the whole family

It looks a big wholesale market selling almost everything.
Those inside the shopping malls, some of the shops do not need to buy min 3 pieces but those street shops they required you to do so. Moreover, you are unable to mix and match, they must be of the same design.
So be prepared to get min 3 pieces if you are shopping in Pratunam wholesale market, price are much lower then those elsewhere.
Remember the price are quite fix and they are rude to you if you asked of discount. The staffs don't put on smiles and they will not get a new piece if the display is the size you want.

What to buy: Clothings, accessories, jeans.

What to pay: Cheap but don't expect much fancy type of clothes there.

Bangkok is famous for imitation brands, especially watches. You will get the likes of Rolex, Breitling, Tag, etc. at a tiny fraction of their original price. It is very difficult to tell the difference between this imitation and the original. These kind of goods are available at most of the malls and shopping areas in bangkok. You will be able to get watches, hand bags, clothes, etc.

I picked up a few such items from Pratunam night market near the Baiyoke Sky hotel. This market is a street full of stalls and small shops selling all kind of goods, and many stock imitation brands. One thing to remember is that most of the stalls do not display the imitation goods. You have to go and ask them specifically. If you are looking for a watch, just go upto a stall selling cheap local watches, and ask the seller for a Rolex.

Cheers.

What to buy: Imitations of Rolex, Breitling and other expensive watches.

What to pay: 1000 - 1500 THB

get lost and fish around for something to bring home. i can't resist the buying impulse so i bought 4 shoes, 3 knapsacks and tribal shirts. to go there from khao san, take the no. 2 bus for only 7 baht.

This is a sprawling market that offers great bargains for those who are looking for wholesale goods. it is best to be ready to bargain with the shop owners.

What to buy: Clothes, clothes, clothes and small souvenir items.

What to pay: WHat? You're kidding, right?

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There are many shops and stalls in the main roads. Look for the small lanes that lead you to the market behind the shops.

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (some travel guides say it opens 24 hours, but it doesnt, trust me)

Things available for sale: Mostly clothing and textile

Location: At the intersection of Phetchaburi and Ratchaprarop roads, Pratunam. Next to Indra Regent Hotel.

Getting there:
1) Longtail boat - Pratunam Pier
2) BTS - Chit Lom or Ratchathewi stations
3) Bus - 2, 13, 23, 54, 72, 76, 77, 60, 62, 93, 140, 204, 511, 512, 514, 536

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I couldnt find anything I like here, so I cant comment much.

Location: Pratunam area, behind Indra Regent Hotel.

Things available for sale: Mostly clothing

Tips: Ask for the wholesale price. Then ask how many you need to buy (from the same store)