Night markets in Bangkok you should not miss

After a long Corona break, the metropolis of Bangkok is really coming back to life and has many an innovation up its sleeve.

Thailand, which used to set new visitor records every year, has logically suffered considerably from Corona’s impact on tourism. Some tourist attractions that were a must-see before Corona are now not as frequented or are even closed.

The situation at Bangkok’s night markets has also changed, many of our favorite night markets are already closed or are frequented by fewer visitors.

But when one hip spot closes, three new ones open in Bangkok. So during our stay in late 2022, it was about time to discover Bangkok’s newest night markets and re-visit old favorites!

In this article we will update you with the latest night market situation in Bangkok.

Enjoy reading!

Jodd Fairs – Currently the most popular night market in Bangkok

Jodd Fairs opened in November 2021 and is currently the most visited night market in Bangkok.

This night market, located behind the Central Plaza at the MRT Phra Ram 9 station, is relatively small but easily accessible and has become a very popular meeting place, especially among young Thais.

The Jodd is home to many food stalls that are not found elsewhere in Bangkok. It is typical of this market to enjoy huge ribs, stews or fresh seafood (sometimes too fresh, those who have been there know what I am talking about) with friends and family.

At the end of the market is a live stage and a larger “beer garden”. In Thailand, there are many bands that play at the night markets and provide a good atmosphere.

Jodd Fairs is a bit too crowded for our taste, but it’s clean, easy to get to and a good place to find out what’s hot in Thailand right now.
So for us, it’s more of a market to snack a bit and collect new impressions.

China Town Night Market – the best place for good food

In Thailand, as elsewhere in Southeast Asia, there is a large Chinese community that has a long history and has been responsible for the city’s development.

Bangkok’s Chinatown used to be somewhat complicated to get to because of poor and congested transportation. However, with the opening of the MRT Blue Line, this has now changed completely.

Thanks to the construction of the new subway line, chic cafes and stores have also settled in the side streets. Especially the area around Talat Noi is filled with nostalgic cafes and street art and attracts a lot of attention as a new photo spot.

Where is Chinatown Night Market located?

The Chinatown night market does not have its own location, but is a market that takes place in the evening when the first stalls open on the sides of the streets.

During the opening hours of the stalls, half a lane of the main Yaowarat street is closed off, so you can enjoy the market more or less protected from traffic.

There are also numerous food stalls in several side streets, all tempting with delicious and unusual specialties.

In addition to individual food stalls, Chinatown also has a number of restaurants where you can eat in the atmosphere of the night market in peace and no less important, chilled.

Our tip: Take a break from the crowds and enjoy a cup of Chinese tea at the Double Dogs Tea Room on Main Street.

The later in the evening the more interesting, especially because of the colorfully lit signs on the buildings. However, it also gets cozier and long lines form at many stalls.

Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street – Canal side market with hip street art

Ong Ang Walking Street is a new night market that opened in 2020 in Paphurat, Bangkok’s Indian neighborhood.

Paphurat has not been a particularly well-known spot for tourists, except for the free curries offered at the Sikh temple located there.

The area along the Ong Ang canal where this market is located, between Chinatown and the Indian Quarter, used to be lined with unattractive electronic junk stores, but a landscape improvements project here has done a proper renovation, cleanup, and turned everything into a hip walking street.　

It is probably the only canal in Bangkok where you can kayak in a relaxed way and actually want to. It doesn’t smell anymore and by Bangkok’s standards, the water isn’t that dirty.
By the way, kayaks can be rented for free. Bangkok is making an effort to create attractions outside the city center.

However, the market only takes place on weekends and the main attraction is the numerous street art pieces.
It has become a real Instagram hotspot, with many people literally lining up to get their picture taken.

We recommend watching the Instagrammers while eating the market’s specialty: coconut ice cream with taro rolled in crêpe, nuts and cilantro. A real treat!

The market is not far from Chinatown, so it is possible to visit it and the Chinatown Night Market in the same evening. It’s best to start here, then head over towards China Town first.

ChangChui Creative Park – the world famous aircraft market

This night mark takes you a bit out of the center of Bangkok, but is very easy and straightforward to get to with a combination of public transportation and cabs. But promise, it’s worth the drive!

Also, the ChangChui Creative Park is not a typical night market, but during the day it is not busy at all and a visit is more recommended in the evening and on Fridays or weekends.

The only exception is if you want to look through the (clothes) flea market, which takes place only in the afternoon and during the week. However, the size of the clothes sold are mainly for Thai people, so they are rather small.

Creative Thais with enough pocket money have once again managed to make Bangkok richer by an attraction that is so rather rare to find within a major city. Launched in 2018, we are happy to see that it still exists after the prolonged lockdown!

Unlike the previously mentioned night markets, here are fewer stalls but numerous small and very stylish bars as well as stores to be found in permanent booths. Food, drink, stylish clothes and so some kitsch with even more food. Quite typical Bangkok just but in comparison quite cozy and relaxed.

Pretty much all the buildings have been put together from all sorts of recycled material like old wood or corrugated iron and – how could it be otherwise – enhanced with some street art. It is therefore also popular with younger Thais, and the one or other extended Instgram shooting can be observed there with a cool Iced Thai Tea or Chang with ice cubes … with a smile.

But to crown it all, there is a plane in the middle of the site. Not a small decorative machine but a huge Lockheed in which up to 400 passengers can be seated!

Inside the plane is a quite high-priced restaurant with questionable decor and somewhat mediocre reviews. You can do it, but you don’t have to. We prefer to concentrate on the individual booths and stores, although we think it’s an awesome idea.

As the evening progresses, the live bands become louder and the individual bars compete for customers.

Sooksiam – A Night Market at IconSiam Shopping Center

Iconsiam is a luxury shopping mall that opened in 2018 on the Chao Phraya River and includes pretty much all the popular but high-priced brands in the world.

Bangkok is already oversaturated with too many shopping malls, but the Iconsiam, with its prime riverfront location, is a real Bangkok attraction even for people who aren’t interested in shopping.

Sooksiam, located on the first floor of this gigantic shopping center, is a food court, but can be added to the category of night market because of the whole way of construction and decoration.

Food stalls with specialties from all over Thailand and Asia are spread out in different areas, and there’s even a small floating market where you can enjoy the delicacies you’ve bought.

The concept is so well thought out that you quickly forget you are in a department store.

Unlike the food courts in other shopping centers, there is no card system; payment is made in each individual store.

Numerous seating areas are located between the stalls and on the upper floor. Due to the huge offer, you can easily spend a few delicious hours here.

Iconsiam houses the Japanese department store Takashimaya, and the food court of Sooksiam and Takashimaya are connected. Takashimaya offers Japanese specialties and is also more than recommended.

Summary of current night markets

At least two of the night markets presented should be visited during a stay in Thailand’s capital, because they are simply part and parcel of Bangkok.

What is particularly pleasant about these markets is that they are mainly visited by Thais and Asian tourists, which puts more focus on a decent range of food stalls than pure bars.

So far, the Train Market – Talad Rod Fai Srinagarindra has always been one of our favorites, but we think ChangChui Creative Park just as exciting and saved ourselves the long drive there.
If, however, you are a lover of classic cars and want to invest a complete evening for the market, since long journey, then nothing like there!

Either way, do not forget to bring enough cash. Because firstly, the markets are all not that cheap and secondly, is the everywhere available and actually mega practical QR payment, for us tourists unfortunately (yet) not usable.

You have another night market to recommend? Then leave but gladly a comment.