Pratunam
Market is one of Bangkok's major markets,
focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest
clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate.
The market is open 24 hours a day with varying
offerings, from 9-20 (in reality more like 11-18)
the retail shops are open, later on the evening
outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come
to populate the street sides. It's located at
the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi
roads in the district Ratchathewi. This is maybe
the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics
and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak
weekend market probably is the low price leader.
Other merchandise include watches, handicraft
and others.
You can reach this market by BTS Ratchathewi
station from there, exit down the right-hand stairs,
take a right at the next main intersection and
walk down Phetchaburi until you see Platinum department
store, the market is directly across the street
from Platinum Fashion Mall. Or exit at BTS Chidlom
(Chitlom) station, turn north (right) at the Gaysorn
Plaza corner and walk past Big C and Central World
to next intersection.
Pratunam market covers the whole area around
and behind Amari Watergate and Indra Regent hotels
with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the
towering Baiyoke Tower II hotels inside it. If
you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the
small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the
area is very safe unless you do something stupid
like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If
the area looks unappealing you might consider
doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum
Fashion Mall.
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