If you are looking for a fun and exciting night out in Bangkok, you cannot miss the Patpong Night Market. This is one of the most famous and vibrant night markets in the city, where you can find everything from clothes and accessories to electronics and souvenirs. But the market is not only about shopping. It is also a hub of entertainment and nightlife, where you can enjoy go-go bars, ping pong shows, massage parlors, nightclubs, cabarets, and more.
Whether you are looking for bargains, quality, variety, or atmosphere, the Patpong Night Market has it all. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this must-visit attraction, such as what to expect, what to buy, how to bargain, how to stay safe, and what to do after the market.
What to Expect at the Patpong Night Market
The Patpong Night Market is located in the heart of Bangkok’s red-light district, between Silom and Surawong Roads. The market was established in the 1970s, when the American soldiers who were stationed in Vietnam during the war came to Bangkok for their rest and recreation. They frequented the bars and clubs in the area, and soon the market emerged to cater to their needs and desires. Today, the market attracts thousands of tourists and locals every night, who come to enjoy the lively and colorful atmosphere, the diverse and cheap merchandise, and the thrilling and exotic entertainment and nightlife.
The market opens around 6 pm and closes around midnight, but the best time to visit is between 8 pm and 10 pm, when the market is at its peak. The market consists of two parallel streets, Patpong 1 and Patpong 2, which are lined with hundreds of stalls and vendors selling a wide range of goods and products. You can find clothes, accessories, electronics, souvenirs, antiques, art, jewelry, and more. Some of the items are genuine, some are fake, and some are illegal, so you have to be careful and inspect the quality and authenticity before you buy.
The prices are usually inflated, so you have to bargain and haggle to get the best deals. The market is also known for its entertainment and nightlife options, which are mostly concentrated on Patpong 2. You can find go-go bars, ping pong shows, massage parlors, nightclubs, cabarets, and more. These places offer various shows and performances, featuring dancers, singers, acrobats, magicians, and more. Some of the shows are erotic, some are humorous, and some are shocking, so you have to be prepared for anything.
The prices vary depending on the place, the show, and the time, but they are usually higher than the average. You may also encounter touts and hustlers who will try to lure you into their venues or sell you tickets or services, so you have to be wary and avoid them.
The Patpong Night Market is a place of contrasts and contradictions, where you can find the best and the worst of Bangkok. It is a place of excitement and fun, but also of danger and scams. It is a place of culture and history, but also of modernity and trends. It is a place of shopping and entertainment, but also of nightlife and adventure. It is a place that you have to experience for yourself, to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the essence of Bangkok.
What to Buy at the Patpong Night Market
One of the main reasons to visit the Patpong Night Market is to shop and buy some of the best and most unique items and products that you can find in Bangkok. The market offers a wide range of merchandise, from clothes and accessories to electronics and souvenirs. Here are some of the examples and suggestions of what to buy at the market:
Thai silk:
Thailand is famous for its silk production, and you can find some of the finest and most beautiful silk products at the market. You can buy silk scarves, shawls, ties, shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, and more. The colors, patterns, and designs are stunning and elegant, and the quality is superb. You can also buy silk fabrics and materials, and have them tailored into custom-made outfits at the nearby shops. The prices are reasonable, but you can still bargain and haggle to get the best deals.
Handicrafts:
Thailand is also known for its handicrafts, and you can find some of the most exquisite and intricate handicrafts at the market. You can buy wooden carvings, bamboo baskets, paper lanterns, ceramic pots, metal sculptures, leather goods, and more. The craftsmanship and the creativity are impressive and admirable, and the products are durable and practical. You can also buy handicrafts from different regions and ethnic groups of Thailand, such as the hill tribes, the northern provinces, and the southern islands. The prices are affordable, but you can still bargain and haggle to get the best deals.
Art:
Thailand is also renowned for its art, and you can find some of the most amazing and original art pieces at the market. You can buy paintings, drawings, prints, posters, photographs, and more. The styles, themes, and genres are diverse and varied, from traditional and religious to modern and abstract. You can also find portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, animals, flowers, and more. The artists and the sellers are friendly and helpful, and they can explain the meaning and the inspiration behind their work. The prices are negotiable, but you have to be respectful and fair to the artists and their work.
Jewelry:
Thailand is also famous for its jewelry, and you can find some of the most stunning and exquisite jewelry at the market. You can buy rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, brooches, and more. The materials, stones, and gems are diverse and varied, from silver and gold to pearls and diamonds. You can also find jewelry made from jade, coral, turquoise, ruby, sapphire, and more. The designs and the shapes are elegant and sophisticated, and the quality is excellent. The prices are reasonable, but you have to be careful and inspect the authenticity and the certification of the jewelry before you buy.
These are some of the examples and suggestions of what to buy at the Patpong Night Market, but there are many more items and products that you can find and discover at the market. You can also buy clothes, accessories, electronics, souvenirs, antiques, and more. The market is a treasure trove of goods and products, where you can find something for everyone and every occasion. You just have to explore, browse, and enjoy the shopping experience at the market.
How to Bargain at the Patpong Night Market
One of the most important and fun aspects of shopping at the Patpong Night Market is bargaining and haggling. Bargaining and haggling are part of the culture and the tradition of the market, and they are expected and appreciated by the sellers and the buyers.
Bargaining and haggling can help you get the best prices and the best deals at the market, as well as make the shopping experience more enjoyable and memorable. Here are some steps and strategies on how to bargain and haggle effectively and successfully at the market:
Do some research: Before you go to the market, do some research on the items and products that you are interested in buying, and find out the average and the reasonable prices for them. You can use online sources, guidebooks, or ask other travelers or locals for their advice and opinions. This will help you set a budget and a limit for your shopping, and avoid paying too much or too little for the items and products.
Compare prices: When you are at the market, compare the prices of the items and products that you want to buy from different stalls and vendors. You can also ask around and see what other buyers are paying for the same or similar items and products. This will help you find the best deals and the best bargains at the market, and avoid being ripped off or scammed by the sellers.
Be polite: When you are bargaining and haggling with the sellers, be polite and respectful. Greet them with a smile and a friendly hello, and use some basic Thai words and phrases, such as “sawasdee” (hello), “khop khun” (thank you), and “lot noi dai mai” (can you give a little discount?). This will help you establish a rapport and a trust with the sellers, and make them more willing and flexible to negotiate and lower their prices.
Walk away: When you are bargaining and haggling with the sellers, do not be afraid to walk away if you are not satisfied or happy with the price or the deal. Walking away is a powerful and effective strategy to show the sellers that you are not desperate or eager to buy their items or products, and that you have other options and choices at the market. This will often make the sellers chase you and offer you a better price or a better deal, or at least make them more open and receptive to your counter-offers and proposals.
Have fun: When you are bargaining and haggling with the sellers, have fun and enjoy the process. Bargaining and haggling are not meant to be stressful or confrontational, but rather playful and humorous. You can joke, tease, compliment, or flirt with the sellers, and use your charm, charisma, and personality to make them more cooperative and friendly. You can also use your body language, gestures, and expressions to communicate and persuade the sellers. Bargaining and haggling are a way of interacting and connecting with the sellers, and learning more about their culture and their lives. Bargaining and haggling are a way of having fun and making memories at the market.
Safety Tips for Visitors
Patpong Night Market is a fun and exciting place to visit, but it also has some potential risks and dangers that you should be aware of and avoid. Here are some safety tips for visiting Patpong Night Market:
Keep an eye on your belongings: The market is crowded and busy, and there may be pickpockets and thieves who will try to steal your money, your phone, your camera, or your other valuables. You should keep your belongings close to you, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items. You should also avoid wearing flashy or ostentatious jewelry or accessories that may attract unwanted attention or envy.
Avoid eye contact: The market is full of touts and hustlers who will try to lure you into their venues or sell you tickets or services. They may be persistent, aggressive, or even rude, and they may use various tricks and tactics to convince you or pressure you. You should avoid eye contact with them, and ignore them or say no firmly if they approach you or talk to you. You should also avoid following them or accepting anything from them, as they may lead you to a trap or a scam.
Say no to scams: The market is notorious for its scams and rip-offs, especially in the entertainment and nightlife venues. You may be offered a free or cheap show or a massage, but then be charged a hefty fee or a tip afterwards. You may also be asked to buy drinks or gifts for the performers or the staff, but then be overcharged or cheated. You should say no to any offers or invitations that sound too good to be true, and always check the prices and the rules before you enter or agree to anything. You should also avoid signing any contracts or receipts, and pay only in cash and with exact change.
Stick to the main streets: The market is located in a red-light district, and there may be some shady or dangerous areas or alleys that you should avoid. You should stick to the main streets, where there are more people and more lights, and where you can find the police or the tourist police if you need help or assistance. You should also avoid walking alone or at night, and always use a reliable and licensed taxi or a public transportation to get to or from the market.
Have fun but be responsible: The market is a place of excitement and fun, but also of temptation and indulgence. You should have fun but be responsible, and respect the culture and the laws of Thailand. You should not engage in any illegal or immoral activities, such as drugs, prostitution, or gambling, and you should not offend or disrespect the locals or the authorities. You should also be aware of your limits and your surroundings, and not drink too much or lose control of yourself.
These are some of the safety tips for visiting Patpong Night Market, but there are many more things that you should be careful and cautious of. You should always use your common sense and your intuition, and trust your gut feeling. You should also do some research and ask for some advice before you go to the market, and learn from the experiences and the mistakes of others. Patpong Night Market is a great place to visit, but it is also a place that you should be prepared and vigilant for.
If you are planning to visit Patpong Night Market, we hope that this article has provided you with all the information and tips that you need to know, such as what to expect, what to buy, how to bargain, how to stay safe, and what to do after the market.
We also hope that this article has inspired you and motivated you to visit this amazing attraction, and to enjoy the shopping and entertainment experience at the market. Patpong Night Market is a must-visit attraction in Bangkok, and we are sure that you will not regret it.
