Explore Bangkok: Saphan Phut night market

Saphan phut night market, or Memorial Bridge night market, is a sprawling market named after the towering Memorial Bridge located in the heart of old bangkok. The night market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with stalls setting up about 6pm onwards but the crowd going into full swing rom 9pm onwards till the wee hours  of 2, 3am.

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Shopping in Bangkok: Asiatique

While the bf and I were in Bangkok, we were recommended by the staff at our bnb to visit a place called Asiatique, the riverfront. Asiatique is a waterfront complex consisting of various stalls/units housing eateries and clothes/accessiores/furnishing stores.

How to go: you can take a taxi or ferry to saphan taksin stop and wait for a shuttle service (free) to pick you up from there. You can find further details here. Take note that majority of the stalls open from 5pm onwards and close by 10+ 11pm. Taxis will start to charge exorbitant rates and not go by the meter from evening onwards so be prepared to pay a little more if you want to stay late.

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Shopping in Bangkok: Terminal 21

If you're looking for a one-stop shopping mall offering unique designs by independent Thai designers, Terminal 21, a shopping complex opened in 2011, is your go-to.

How to go: Take BTS to Asoke station. Once you exit the station (Exit 1), the shopping mall is on your right. If coming by taxi/private transport, just tell the driver 'Terminal 21'. It is located on Sukhumvit Road, near Asoke intersection

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Alternative bangkok: Old siam plaza

Ranked by lonelyplanet at a modest #310 of 792 things to do in Thailand, the Old siam plaza seldom tops tourists' lists of must-go places in  bangkok. However, if you have a weakness for sweet things/pastries, and like retro-style things/architecture, this is the place for you. 

Admittedly this wasn't originally in our itinerary, but had been included as a nice-to-have when I realised the our Bangkok lodging was located a mere 10 minutes walking distance to it. Coincidentally i also have a huge weakness for desserts and all things sweet, so on a late weekday morning we made the visit.

How to go: The nearest train station is Hua Lamphong MRT, after which you need to take a cab ride lasting about 10 minutes, or public bus. You can consider visiting the plaza on the same day as Wat Pho and the grand emerald palace, which are located in the vicinity. For a map, refer here

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