Pratunam Market is a major market in Bangkok selling clothes, shoes, and fashion accessories at wholesale prices. Enter the small alleys and jam-packed small streets of Thailand’s largest clothing market and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a clothes-maze. Prices here are very cheap, and most shops offer retail prices for single pieces.
Located at the intersection of Ratchaprop and Petchaburi roads (next to the Amari Watergate Bangkok hotel, the Pratunam Wholesale Market is filled with shops and tiny stalls flowing over to the sidewalks and extending all the way to Baiyoke Tower I and Baiyoke Tower II on Ratchaprarop Soi 3.
More than a shopping experience, the market offers an immersion in the local way of life. While exploring you’ll find vendors sewing, packing and unpacking orders, and carting trolleys up and down the narrow aisles. It’s an experience that offers a stark glimpse into what shopping used to be like before the arrival of air-conditioned malls.
Shops and vendor stalls at Pratunam Market display all kinds of clothes, from shorts, T-shirts, formal evening dresses, suits, winter jackets to bizarre outfits and costumes.
The section closer to Petchaburi Road has a large concentration of fancy dress and embroidered costumes. Deeper in, closer to Baiyoke Tower I, the collection becomes less fancy but more suitable for everyday wear. Modern fashion, such as jeans, funny T-shirts and safari pants can be found here.
This market is certainly unique.
While Pratunam Market does sell the usual clothes and accessories you would find at markets around Bangkok, you’ll also find vendors selling some pretty interesting merchandise, including hair.
An interesting side note — cats are everywhere in this market. So if you love to photograph cats, be sure to come here.
Pratunam Market targets lower- to lower-middle-income buyers, and, as with other outdoor markets in Bangkok, the price reflects the quality. Shops offer wholesale prices when you buy 3 pieces or more, although buying single pieces won’t cost you that much more.
On top of that, bargaining is acceptable, though you barely need to – items are already very cheap. So, leave your big bills at home when visiting Pratunam Market. Of course, do not expect to get the lowest prices without a bit of haggling.
Arm yourself with a few Thai words if you’re adventurous, including, paang or paeng mak, meaning ‘expensive or very expensive, respectively’ in order to get the best deals. That being said, the starting price is almost always very low.
Do be aware that if you find yourself paying ฿100 (about $3) for your favorite brand, whether it be make-up or a hair product, it is probably not 100 percent genuine.
Some rules of thumb: No exchange, often no trying on and no refund. And when you see brand-name items, expect copies at best.
Where To Start Shopping in Pratunam Market?
If you do not know where to start shopping at Pratunam, it’s recommended to start at Soi Petchaburi 21, also called Soi Narok that actually means Hell Alley. This alley is opposite to Platinum Shopping Center.
This area is known as Hell Alley because it is the place where the wholesale clothing stalls are placed on the walkway with tons of bags making the place look messy and cluttered. In Hell Alley, there are many clothing styles to choose from, as well as bags and shoes.
At the beginning of Soi Petchaburi 21 there are two shopping centers: Krung Thong Plaza on the left and City Complex on the right. Krung Thong Plaza shopping center is where you can easily find many shops selling big size clothes.
There are also many small shops on the side of the road selling t-shirts, polo shirts, and jeans. Sales at both, wholesale prices and retail prices can be found here.
Another shopping center is Maruey Plaza. If walking into this area, you’ll know you’re here when you see the blue roof and tiled floor. This is another zone with beautiful fashion clothes suitable for both teenagers and working people and mostly sold at wholesale price.
At the end of the alley, there is a walkway leading to the front of the Baiyoke Gallery building and Indra Square Mall, where you can find clothes for special events offered by many different brands.
Also, don’t neglect to check out the white tent zone in front of The Baiyoke Tower II that sells general miscellaneous items from sleepwear and fancy dresses to souvenirs and gadgets
Pratunam Market is open 24 hours, but the dynamic is different throughout the day. The retail shops open at about 10:00 and close around 21:00, but this may vary.
When & How To Go To Pratunam Market?
For visitors and shoppers, the best time to go is between 11am and 8pm.
By Airport Rail Link
Take the Airport Rail Link train to Ratchaprarop Station and walk about 400 meters on Ratchaprarop Road.
By MRT
Take the MRT Metro to Phetchaburi Station and transfer to Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station.
Get on the Airport Rail Link train going to Phaya Thai and disembark at Ratchaprarop Station, which is just one station from Makkasan Station.
By BTS
Take the BTS SkyTrain to Phaya Thai Station and transfer to Airport Rail Link Phaya Thai Station.
Get on the Airport Rail Link train going to Suvarnabhumi Airport and get off at Ratchaprarop Station which is just one station from Phaya Thai.
Otherwise, take BTS Skytrain to Chidlom Station, leave via Exit 3 and then walk to Pratunam Market for about 15-20 minutes.
By Boat
Take the Khong Saen Saep Express Boat and disembark at Pratunam Pier.
