Category: What to do in Bangkok

MBK Center Bangkok

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Shopping Budget: $

Average Clothing Prices: 250 baht

The MBK Center in Bangkok is an extremely popular mall notorious among expats and holiday makers for it’s cheap prices and knockoff brands. Both loved and loathed by expats in the Bangkok community, MBK has a rather hectic atmosphere due to it’s attractive bargains.

The interior of the MBK in Bangkok is pretty much to be expected of a typical cheap shopping centre; dull and boring to look at! Maybe I’ve been spoilt by the glitzy malls of Thailand’s capital city, but MBK just doesn’t float my boat personally. Not only does MBK Center have ugly, harsh florescent lighting and a rather soulless interior, but it seems to be constantly busy and full of shoppers searching for the cheapest bargain. MBK is not exactly one of the most stress-free malls to shop in Bangkok…

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However, MBK seems to be one of the more popular malls for the men in Bangkok, perhaps because of it’s wide range of t-shirts and polo shirts, and it’s large section dedicated to the latest technologies and gadgets. You can buy up a simple t-shirt at the MBK from around 150 baht.

One of the best shops in MBK for both men and women’s clothes shopping is Warehouse Export (there are actually a couple of them in the MBK), which sells factory rejects of some fashionable brands such as H&M and Tommy Hilfiger. Other than this, MBK is a little lacking in cool and fashionable clothing shops – it is, however, ideal for tourists shopping for pretty Thai holiday dresses and popular Chang beer or Red Bull vests.

You can buy some cheap shoes from the MBK from as little as 199 baht a pair, but then you do get what you pay for. Bata and Footin, which are located on the second floor, are some very good Bangkok shoe shops which sell good quality shoes from just 199 baht for simple, comfortable sandals. For sneakers shopping, a particularly useful trainer shop at MBK is Genesis, which sells some cool Vans, Nike and Adidas sneakers.

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MBK is pretty much the best place to head in Bangkok for knockoff brand shopping though. You’ll find absolutely loads of knockoff brands – many of them pretty close replicas – including Billabong, Lacoste and Diesel. If you head all the way to the top floor, you’ll find a large section of the MBK dedicated to Thai trinkets, lighting and souvenirs perfect as holiday gifts and crafts.

How to get to MBK

You can take the BTS sky train to National Stadium on the Silom Line. This is easy to navigate on the BTS as the National Stadium is actually the terminal station on all the station signs. Once you arrive at the National Stadium, follow signs to the MBK Center. There is actually a second floor walkway which leads directly inside the mall.

Thai Boxing at the MBK

Every Wednesday evening, the MBK Center actually holds Thai Fight Night Boxing matches… for free! Compared to the high amount charged to foreigners by the Lumpini Thai Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, this is a great opportunity for anybody with an interest in Thai Boxing.

Head on over to the MBK Center from 6pm and you’ll find a small ring just outside of the main doors. Matches start every Wednesday from 6pm.

Bangkok Clothes Shopping Guide

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Looking for cheap clothes, bargain designer brands, knock offs like Armani and Hollister fashions, or plus size clothing in Bangkok? For specific shopping needs in Bangkok, check out my shopping guide below.

Alternatively, click here for a guide on typical Thailand shopping prices or learn more about particular areas mentioned below in Bangkok Markets or Bangkok shopping malls.

 

Clothes Shopping In Bangkok

Where to buy cheap, affordable clothing in Bangkok…

For shopping on a budget in Bangkok, one of the cheapest markets to go clothes shopping is Pratunam, a wholesale clothes market. Most of the sellers in Bangkok buy their stock from Pratunam market so you can at least be sure that you’re getting a bargain, although it is much cheaper to buy in bulk at Pratunam market.

You can find Pratunam market near Baiyoke tower on Petchaburi Road, prices typically range from 100 – 250 baht for clothing such as cardigans, leggings, printed t-shirts, colourful dresses, harem trousers, vest tops and shirts. It’s mainly better for women, there aren’t so many men’s clothes around Pratunam.

Pratunam

Pratunam Market

Another very popular market for cheap clothes shopping in Bangkok is Chatuchak, just off of Mo Chit BTS station. Chatuchak has pretty much everything including Bohemian, indie and Thai fashion styles of clothing, accessories and shoes; prices range from just 150 baht to 250 baht per item of clothing.

You know it’s a cheap place to shop in Bangkok when all the locals shop there. To shop where all the young Thai locals shop (sorry chaps, mainly just ladies clothes), be sure to check out the street markets of Siam and On nut. These are both night markets so the best time to visit is sometime after 6pm in the evening. They have everything from hair accessories, shoes for 200 baht, cute Thai fasions, handbags and a few knockoff brands such as Superdry and Hollister.

You can find these cheap bangkok shopping markets at Siam opposite Siam paragon just off Siam BTS and along Petchaburi Road just off Chit Lom BTS. On nut is also easy to find just off of BTS On Nut opposite Tesco Lotus. Prices start from just 30 baht for a muscle vest to 150 baht for a cute, Thai vintage dress.

Thailand is pretty notorious for it’s knockoff clothes, bags, sunglasses, watches and… well, knockoff everything really. Perhaps the best place to go for knockoff brands in Bangkok is the MBK centre. MBK has absolutely loads of knockoff clothing such as Superdry, Billabong, Diesel and Lacoste.

Patpong night market also sells a particularly large selection of knockoffs, however this market can be a little overpriced and a ripoff. You’ll find knock off Raydan and Oakley sunglasses in pretty much all the markets such as Chatuchak and Patpong.

Where to buy mid range clothing in Bangkok…

For some slightly better quality clothes shopping in Bangkok but not too expensive, try out the shopping mall Terminal 21. Ignoring the designer shops on the bottom floor, the upper floors tend to all be small, boutique, indie designer shops and a good majority of them are decent quality, unique and reasonably priced. Terminal 21 is located right at BTS Asoke station complete with signposts to guide you.

Prices range from 250 baht for an individually designed, printed t-shirt to 3000 baht for evening dresses. Terminal 21 is ideal for lovely cocktail dresses, casual indie clothing, cool shoes and accessories. It even has a whole floor for men’s clothing and is laid out with a different country theme on each floor.

Siam Square, directly opposite Siam Paragon at Siam BTS, is a market complex with shops both indoors and outdoors. There are some pretty dress shops, cool sneakers shops, a wealth of shoe shops and some cute indie boutique shops. Prices range from 200 baht to 1000 baht for dresses and other items of clothing. The fancier shoe shops and skater style sneaker shops move up to about 2500 baht but offer some unique and funky buys.

Plenty loads of individual boutique shops to be found in Siam Square

Plenty loads of individual boutique shops to be found in Siam Square

You may also like to check out my post on the shop Warehouse Export, which sells bargain import brands and good quality clothing for between 150 and 450 baht per piece.

Where to buy designer brands in Bangkok…

The most prominent malls for designer brand shopping in Bangkok are Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Central World. Emporium shopping mall at Prom Phong BTS is another popular designer mall, though it is very expensive. Siam Center is a probably the coolest mall in Bangkok; more interesting than the others with distinctive shops, cool high heel shoes, unique sunglasses and a less mall-like atmosphere.

Designer clothes actually tend to be more expensive in Bangkok than in the west, so it’s best not to be under the illusion of finding bargains while on holiday in Bangkok. However Zen, a department at Central World, tends to have sales on frequently making the brands there a little more affordable. If you’re looking for some massive designer brand sale bargains, Amarin Plaza at BTS Chit Lom almost constantly has some sort of event on it’s ground floor from Billabong to Nike to Karen Miller, and many other brand sales of up to 90% discounts.

Where to buy plus size clothes in Bangkok…

For larger, plus size clothes shopping in Bangkok, Patpong Night Market may be a good option to try. Mainly for men, in particular they offer shorts with a larger waste size for westerners. Alternatively, there is a very specific chain of shops in Bangkok called Warehouse Bilberry which sells clothing up to plus size XXL for both men and women. Prices are very reasonable and good quality as well, starting at around 220 baht for a dress or shirt.

Where to buy men’s clothing in Bangkok…

I feel for men in Bangkok… shops, markets and malls are very much geared towards the female shopper in Bangkok. However, there are some very cool shorts and t-shirts for sale at Chatuchak market and Baiyoke Tower. If you head to the fourth floor of Baiyoke tower, there are some really cool T-shirt designs with parody Star Wars prints and many other designs from around 200 baht.

Shopping at Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok is even better if you are planning on buying a few things as they have some good wholesale deals. They also have some cool shorts with interesting and colourful designs. Similarly, Chatuchak market also has a good range of T-shirts, trainers (sneakers whatever) and shorts with a great choice of both indie, bohemian and Thai style designs.

Because of Chatuchak market’s sheer size compared to Baiyoke Tower, there is much more choice and prices start from around 150 baht for a T-shirt (Although every man I have met in Bangkok absolutely loathes shopping at the jam-packed and maze-like Chatuchak market!).

Check out my shopping blog post on where to buy sneakers in Bangkok for some more really cool men’s clothing, caps and other gear.

 

Above Eleven Rooftop Bar Bangkok

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Nana Soi 11 is home to many of the more affordable rooftop bars of Bangkok, Above Eleven being among one of the best in this area. Above Eleven Rooftop Bar is located at the top of the luxurious Fraser Suites Hotel and boasts amazing cityscape views over Bangkok.

The bar provides an ambient, chilled out atmosphere with warm lighting and laid back classic pop and rock tunes. The background music isn’t too loud and intrusive so the bar is ideal for chatting and chilling without interruption. The first floor of the rooftop bar comprises of an enclosed bar top surrounded by tables lining the edges, with views overlooking Bangkok.

above-eleven-view

The whole floor is sleekly designed with patches of grass as the flooring and a hedge maze guarding the über chic toilets. Continue up the attic-style stair case and you’ll find industrial brick walls with cosy uplighting and spot lights brightening the rooftop bar. There are plenty of sophisticated and unique added touches such as tree structured pillars supporting the glass roof that part covers the bar. The upstairs offers inviting and cosy surroundings of comfortable leather sofas and tables.

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The sleek and chilled out vibe of Above Eleven Rooftop Bar is a little similar to the neighbouring Nest rooftop bar, only a little more suited for relaxed chatting with friends as the music is quieter and lighting much better – It’s so dark at Nest that the waiters provide you with a torch to read the menu.

Above Eleven Menu

As for the menu at Above Eleven Rooftop Bar, many of the dishes have taken on an elegant Japanese twist. There are an extensive range of sushi dishes starting from 300 baht up to 550 baht per serving, plus an interesting menu of Peruvian Japanese fusion Tapas dishes ranging from 110 baht to 470 baht per dish. The menu mainly comprises of seafood dishes, however there are plenty of chicken, duck and vegetarian options as well.

above eleven rooftop bar

Continuing the Peruvian/ Japanese theme, there are some very interesting and adventurous fusion cocktails but, at 350 baht per glass, they do not come cheaply. Soft drinks are priced at 90 baht a bottle while beers start at 170 baht per bottle and spirits at 180 per shot. Drinks aren’t that reasonably priced but are cheap compared to other Bangkok rooftop bars such as Banyan Tree and Sky Bar.

How to get to Above Eleven Bangkok

Take the BTS to Nana station and head to Sukhumvit Soi 11 just a couple of metres away from the steps of the station. Make your way down the road until you reach a T-junction, turn left and follow the road round as it bends to the right past the Q Bar. On the right hand side of the road you will find the Fraser Suites Hotel – follow the driveway to the back of the hotel and take the lift to the 32nd floor.

aboveeleven

Amphawa Floating Market

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Bangkok To Amphawa

Amphawa Floating Market is located about an hour’s drive outside of Bangkok and can easily be reached direct by minibus. Out of all the many floating markets around the Bangkok area, Amphawa is perhaps one of the biggest and more popular markets among local and Thai tourists.

Amphawa Floating Market has a fantastic atmosphere: heaps of delicious food stalls and quirky clothes shops squeezed along the board walks, paddle boats parked along the sides of the canal with barbecues onboard brimming with fresh seafood, and visitors relaxing at small tables perched along the edges enjoying the cuisine… the whole environment of Amphawa is pretty relaxed and not at ally pushy or tourist trappy.

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If you class yourself as a bit of a food connoisseur, or just plain love trying different regional foods and snacks, Amphawa is ideal for tasting and nibbling as you go. Whether you sample the steamed buns, roti pancakes and all the hundreds of other Thai desserts, or eat the freshly grilled choice of seafood, river prawns and Thai dishes; you will love the eating your way along the Thai canals!

Boat tours are available at various points along the river and typically sit between four and ten passengers. Khlong boat fares are a standard price of 60 baht per person or 400 baht per group for about an hour’s ride. The boat will stop whenever you ask so that you can have a taste of the freshly cooked Thai food along the way. Food and boats… who wouldn’t like these things?

amphawa floating market

Although the standard tours from Bangkok to Amphawa tend to take passengers to the floating market in the early hours or during the daytime, the market actually get’s at it’s most interesting during the evening time. A good time to get to Amphawa Floating market is around 3pm or 4pm, while the weather is a little more mild and the crowd a little less restless.

Amphawa day trip

If you head to the market during the evening, you’ll find cosy fairy lights brightening the walkways and adding a charm and magic to the atmosphere. Live acoustic music will add to the chilled out atmosphere as it starts to sound from the hidden, laid back Thai bars. Amphawa floating market stays open until 10pm (the bars until later) so travellers can have fun cork shooting at random stalls for 10 baht; shop for hand made souvenirs, pretty clothing and quirky accessories; or relax with a beer in one of the canal-side bars and restaurants.

amphawa shopping

Amphawa, Samut Songkhran

The area of Amphawa is packed full of beautiful temples, markets* and parks and is definitely worthy of an overnight stay away from Bangkok. Transport around the town is rather lacking, however there are many boat tours available to take you to all the main sights and temples of Amphawa. Hotels can usually easily arrange these boat day tours for you.

Due to the lack of tuk tuks and songtaews, it’s best to stay close to the floating market and main hub of activity. A particularly good hotel in an ideal location right next to Amphawa floating market is Amphawa Nanon Hotel & Spa. Not only does staying overnight in a hotel Amphawa mean that you can relax in the bars along the floating market, but it also means that you can take a trip to watch the notorious fireflies of Samut Songkhran distict.

How To Get To Amphawa Floating Market

To get from Bangkok to Amphawa floating market, you can catch a mini bus from the Victory Monument station for around 100 baht one-way. The mini bus conveniently takes you directly to the market. It will drop you at a stop just next to a bridge which has steps down to the canal.

bangkok day trip

*My personal recommendation is to avoid Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. On the whole, the market is not as authentic or charming as many other floating markets and the canal is dirty, full of litter and lacking in atmosphere. In my experience, despite being quiet and less popular among tourists, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a pretty bad tourist trap full of unfriendly and pushy people.

Cafe Tartine, Phloen Chit Bangkok

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Cafe Tartine is a bright and airy French cafe & patisserie serving a wide range of delicious salads, sandwiches, quiches and French desserts. The interior of Cafe Tartine is small and cosy yet spacious and light, furnished with birch wood tables and specialist wine bottles lining the walls. Customers have the option to sit either inside, or on the peaceful and comfortable terrace which has fans and cushioned seating. The road outside the cafe is rather quiet so it makes for a tranquil Al Fresco lunch.

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Cafe Tartine is perfect for a healthy treat or a relaxed, casual afternoon lunch or brunch with friends in Bangkok. The menu prices range from around 140 to 250 baht per meal and the food served there is very good quality. The most unique thing about Cafe Tartine though, is it’s Create Your Own Salad & Sandwich menu.

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With a huge choice of dressings, fillings and salad ingredients, you can have your perfect lunch for an average of just 200 baht. Although, the standard dishes on the main menu are good enough without needing to personalise them. Cafe Tartine’s Cobb Salad for example, comes jam-packed full of bacon, egg, pepper, blue cheese, roast chicken and avocado with a side of freshly baked bread.

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Sandwiches come with a side of salad and cover everything from chicken, olive and goats cheese, to prosciutto ham and melted cheese. If you’re feeling particularly hungry, you can opt for the pork chop with french fries and roasted vegetables for just 230 baht. As for drinks, home made iced tea at Cafe Tartine costs just 50 baht for unlimited refills and comes with an optional jug of syrup if you don’t like it too sweet.

However, with a divine range of flans, chocolate pies and beautiful French cakes, desserts at Cafe Tartine are definitely not to be forgotten… The chocolate & pumpkin pie and the apple tart are particularly good; desserts are not too sweet and are noticeably made with high quality ingredients.

How to get to Cafe Tartine

Take the BTS to Phloen Chit station and follow the exit to the Novotel Hotel. Cafe Tartine is only a minute’s walk from the station, just take the turning into Ruamrudee road on the corner of Novotel Hotel, and Cafe Tartine is a few hundred metres on the right hand side.

 

Agalico Tea Room & Cafe, Bangkok

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If you are living in Bangkok and feeling homesick for a proper, old English tea room, Agalico in Thonglor may be just what you’re looking for. Open everyday from 10am until 6pm, Agalico Tea Room offers stunning and elegant surroundings to enjoy a quiet and relaxed catchup with friends.

In fact, the interior of Agalico is so impressive that they even have photographers on hand taking portraits of paying customers. Okay, this may be partly down to Agalico Tea Room’s fame in Bangkok after being part of the set of a popular Thai movie, but it’s still really impressive nonetheless. On the top floor, you’ll find young Thai socialites being snapped away on camera in a room decorated in antique English Period style.

agalico

Don’t let the photographer weirdness put you off going to Agalico Tea Room though! With contemporary gardens full of comfortable seating, beautiful, white and blue, colonial-American decor and meticulous attention to detail, Agalico Tea Room provides a great, tranquil atmosphere to enjoy your favourite cup of tea in Bangkok… Just make sure to get there early before the best cake and scones run out.

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Agalico has a decent choice of teas to choose from and a pot will typically cost you 120 baht. Cakes and quiche cost 120 baht also, however, for a tea room, there is not a great choice of cakes and they’re not particularly amazing either. Cakes at Agalico Tea Room don’t compare to other Bangkok cafes such as Coffee Beans By Dao, Cafe Tartine and After You. The interesting atmosphere makes up for this though.

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How to get to Agalico Tea Room & Cafe

Agalico Tea Room & Gardens are located close to Thong Lor BTS. If taking the BTS, take exit 1 out or the station and walk along the main road until you reach Soi 51. Follow Soi 51 for about a minute walk until you see a large white building on your right – Agalico does not have a sign, just walk into the drive way and take the door on your left.

Witch’s Tavern Bar & Restaurant, Bangkok

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Witch’s Tavern is a popular and quirky bar-come-pizzeria on Thonglor Road. It’s particularly famous among Bangkok expats for it’s live music, special offers and happy hours; Happy Hour is everyday between 3pm and 9pm. Between 6pm and 8pm on Fridays you can enjoy free pizza with your beer, and on Wednesdays ladies can drink free.

The interior of Witch’s Tavern bar is very dimly lit with plenty of gothic candle lights and quirky decorations lightening the place up. A Witch’s pentagram marks the entrance while clouds and birdcages dangle behind the central bar. The whole building is decorated just like a typical old English pub with Victorian portraits lining the walls, dark wooden beams and floor boards throughout – Witch’s Tavern even smells like an English pub! (Is it weird that I noticed that?)

Witch-Tavern

The atmosphere of Witch’s Tavern is great; the staff are super friendly and cheerful while vintage rag time and flapper music plays in the background for a real cosy feel. Witch’s Tavern regularly host live music performances, usually acoustic covers of popular, classic tunes that most people will love. One of their in-house live musicians plays some particularly good covers of Bob Marley, Beatles, Jack Johnson and other classics with a real creative and chilled out spin.

Prices are pretty reasonable, especially for Bangkok’s expensive Thonglor area, the great service and awesome entertainment. The Witch’s Tavern menu consists of a choice of mainly Thai food, Tapas, pasta, pizza, salads and burgers. Tapas dishes typically cost around 140 baht per dish, pizzas cost from 160 baht, pasta from 220 baht and burgers from around 240 baht. The menu at Witch’s Tavern also has desserts such as sticky toffee pudding, carrot cake and apple crumble, all prices starting from around 140 baht.

How to get to Witch’s Tavern Bar & Restaurant, Bangkok

To get to Witch’s Tavern, you can take the BTS to Thonglor and then catch a motorcycle or taxi from there. The bar is located on Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor Road) between Soi 8 and 10. You could walk it, but it would take maybe 15 minutes.

All in all, Witch’s Tavern is definitely worth a visit in Bangkok for the awesome live music alone.

Roast Coffee & Eatery Restaurant Thonglor

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To date, Roast Coffee & Eatery in Thonglor is by far my best place to eat in Bangkok in terms of amazing food at decent value. Roast Coffee has definitely made itself heard in Bangkok though, and it’s top notch service and great food hasn’t gone unmissed – if planning on heading to Roast Restaurant on the weekend, it’s best to book in advance to avoid a long wait outside.

The interior of Roast coffee & Eatery is spacious and airy with sophisticated, industrial style decor and high ceilings. There is a small, shaded balcony available outside for you to sit and dine alfresco if you wish too. Menus are charmingly brought to you in the design of a vintage newspaper with a huge choice of lunch, coffees and brunch dishes.

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The coffees and iced teas at Roast Coffee & Eatery are highly reputed as some of the best in Bangkok; you can even buy Roast’s own brand of coffee beans to take home. Specialty iced teas come served in a delightful jar with lychees and mint leaves; unlike many other cafes in Bangkok, drinks are not overly sweet and have some really nice, subtle flavours. A big jar of iced tea at Roast restaurant will typically cost about 100 baht.

On to the food menu at Roast Coffee & Eatery: There is wide choice of dishes on the menu from seafood stew & crusty bread, gourmet toad in the hole and Wagyu burgers & chips to the American style crispy bacon & pancakes, goats cheese frittata and a great choice of healthy salads.

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The food menu at Roast Coffee & Eatery will set you back between around 250 and 400 baht per dish on average. However, Roast is one of those places where everything tastes AMAZEBALLS and is totally worth the money – portion sizes are generous unlike some other pretentious, over-priced restaurants and cafes in Bangkok.

Desserts at Roast cost an average of around 200 baht but are also of decent girth and tastiness for the price. Roast Coffee & Eatery is also open at night when it hosts live music and serves a range of mouthwatering cocktails from around 180 baht a glass. Roast Thonglor is a very popular cafe brunch restaurant for couples and groups of friends looking for a chilled out hangout with some of the best food in Bangkok.

How to get to Roast Coffee Bangkok

Roast is located in SeenSpace Thonglor. You can take a BTS to Thonglor station and then catch a taxi to Thonglor soi 13. Just a few hundred metres into the soi, you will see SeenSpace on your left. Roast Coffee is just up the stairs of SeenSpace and the first restaurant on the left on the first floor. You can check out their Facebook page here.

 

On Nut Night Market & Beer Garden Bangkok

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On Nut is an area of Bangkok not particularly well known for it’s shopping or lively nightlife. However, come evening time when the Thai locals finish work, On Nut comes alive with clothes stalls, food, beer and live music. By Bangkok’s standards, the night market at On Nut is comparably tiny against the other mammoth sized markets of Bangkok, but cheap and cheerful nonetheless.

On Nut Shopping

The Bangkok night market at On Nut is heavily geared towards Thai girls heading out for some after-work bargain shopping. Sellers here are genuine and prices cheap, plus there are some cool clothes and shoes at On Nut night market. You can find men’s t-shirts here – but literally only about four stalls catered towards men, sorry chaps. For SuperDry fans, make sure to check out the knock off SuperDry stall which sells some cool knockoff SuperDry T-shirts for around 300 baht.

Prices vary from 100 baht for standard blouses and t-shirts, to about 1600 baht for custom made dresses and jump suits. On Nut night market is perfect for a relaxed bit of casual Bangkok shopping as opposed to the stress of delving into the bigger, gargantuan markets such as Chatuchak and Pratunam market. It doesn’t need any longer than 30 minutes to an hour to look around properly. It’s not all about the shopping at On Nut night market though…

on nut night market

On Nut Beer Garden

Facing On Nut night market from the road, head to the right until you come across more food stalls and less clothes and handbags; this is the On Nut beer garden. Well… I’m not sure if you could call it a beer garden, but the bar area at On Nut night market is basically an outdoor pub surrounded by a wall of food stalls and covered with a tent-like roof.

The atmosphere is super relaxed with a gathering of both local Thais and local expats. It’s not the sleekest and cleanest looking bar – it IS a local night market after all – but, as standard in Bangkok, it’s still table service and there is a live Thai band performance most evenings. Toilets cost 3 baht per use and are of the authentic squat variety… not everybody’s cup of tea and an obvious indication that this is not the glamourous place to dress up.

on nut night market

Beer is cheap at On Nut night market, costing from 40 baht per bottle to 100 baht per pint to 500 per 5L tower. There is loads of food to choose from, from 120 baht sushi sets, chicken katsu curry for 79 baht, Thai food for 40 baht and roti pancakes for 30 baht.

There are especially loads of Thai dishes and Thai desserts to drool over; it’s a great place to go and sample the local Thai cuisine without breaking the bank. And the sushi is surprisingly good – Upon realising that I was ordering raw fish from what was basically a shabby looking trolley, I did start to regret my decision, but it is actually really delicious (and I didn’t die after all).

On Nut night market is ideal for a dressed down, chilled out and cheap night out in Bangkok – Thai style!

How to get to On Nut night market

On Nut night market is easy to find in Bangkok – just take the BTS to On Nut and you can see the illuminated tents from the station. The market opens from around 6pm, seven days a week.

Iron Fairies Bar Thonglor Bangkok

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The Iron Fairies bar is a quirky and sophisticated bar and restaurant located in Thonglor, Bangkok. It’s distinctive wall of illuminated, potion-like bottles makes it stand out prominently on the main Thonglor road. Searching along the font for the entrance, you’ll find a mysterious, rustic wooden door which upon opening, leads you through to a rather ominous, dark curtained entrance and further into a very dimly lit, industrial blacksmith-meets-Victorian apothecary bar.

iron fairies

With quirky, ancient industrial-looking machinery dotted throughout the bar; cute touches such as tiny potion bottles of fairy dust cluttered around the surfaces; dilapidated, vintage wallpapered surroundings; and iron, gothic, spiral staircases leading to various floors upstairs, the Iron Fairies Bangkok bar boasts a very unique and enchanting, old English-dark gothic fusion atmosphere.

The trendy surroundings are complimented with vintage 20s flapper music and jazz; later on in the night, the Iron Fairies Bar features live bands performing swing music at the top of one of the spiral staircases. On the occasion I last visited, the Frank Sinatra voiced swing singer entertained from the spiral staircase while the band played on their very own balcony.

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Iron Fairies Bangkok Menu

The menu at Iron Fairies Thonglor is impressive, with particularly amazing burgers averaging around 300 baht. The menu includes salads such as avocado and tuna for 240 baht, side dishes such as potato wedges and crab cakes for around 160 to 200 baht, steaks from around 695 baht and seafood such as salmon steak from 350 baht per dish. Everything on the menu at Iron Fairies is pretty much guaranteed not to disappoint and for the price, the food is very good quality.

Chunky burgers with brie, bacon, onions and mushrooms come served on a large chopping board pierced with a steak knife through the middle. Drink prices on the Iron fairies menu start from 100 baht for a fruit juice (sugar-free, pure juice – a rarity in Thailand), 300 baht for a cocktail and 350 baht for a glass of wine.

iron fairies bangkok

The Iron Fairies bar may be viewed as a tad pretentious and a little too trendy or superficial by some; It gets extremely busy on weekends and the clientele tend to be mainly rich, young Thais and expats. Sometimes, along with the sometimes fast jazz music and masses of people, the Iron Fairies Bangkok bar can be slightly stressful and not so relaxing. However, overall, The Iron Fairies Bar is ideal for a sophisticated night out with a quirky twist in Bangkok – just be prepared for it to get real claustrophobic on the weekend!

How to get to Iron Fairies Thonglor

Bangkok Iron Fairies is located on Thonglor 55, on the main road opposite Thonglor soi 13. You can take the sky train to BTS Thonglor, then catch a taxi to soi 13 for around 50 baht. You could walk it but it would maybe take 15 minutes and you’d end up pretty sweaty by the end of it.