If you are there on Saturday or Sunday morning - the weekend market (Chatuchak) is the best for outdoor (ie non-a/c) shopping for local clothing and ethnic crafts.

Thanks but we will be in Bangkok during the week and on the weekend in Chiang Mai.

the nite market at suan lum, at the corner of wireless rd and rama IV is a good place at nite....many shops outside..

pratumam market is tons of fun too...

street markets along sukhumvit starting at soi 4 every evening and also along silom rd....

chiang mai is also loaded with markets....

You may want to visit the Sunday walking market in CM. It's touristy, but has some interesting items.

There are some indoor shops in malls that have wonderful Thai crafts. Local designers sell in mall-type stores.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. One more questions - are these places where locals shop also? I think that it would add to the fun for us.

Thanks Again!

all of the places that have been suggested, except the suan lum market are frequented by locals...

Thank you all so much.

I know you don't like indoor malls but your niece might like the Platinum Mall for really inexpensive and "hip" clothing(both local and imported).

we agree with this suggestion....

I found most of the night markets full of knock off stuff and the same thing again and again. Was disappointed in the "junk" but enjoyed the experience. The knock offs are higher than in China, as most of it comes from China. Bought some knock off sunglasses and that's about it. Did purchase some night art up in Chaing Mai.

that's nice art not night art. Guess I should preview.

Go early to the Sunday walking market in CM.

Platinum Mall does sound good- thanks - I like the sound of "the experience" This is my niece's first travel experience and I want her to be exposed to the culture. She realizes that this is going to be an eye opener for her and I don't want it to be based about material things. Buttttt, we don't want to miss out on shopping some especially if it has the atmosphere.
Sunday market sounds nice in C.M.

pardon this dumb question, but where is the platinum mall?

I think its Platinum Mall, which is a store which caters mostly to women's clothings. It is located infront of Amari watergate Hotel along Pratunam Area.

Ops, I meant specialty store.

thanks janev.

actually around the corner

We were hoping to make it to Platinum Mall for my 15 yo but was told by HI concierge that it closes at 9 PM- too early. There was just too much to do on our short 2 days there.

We were in CM before our BKK 2 nighter & realized that BKK is one big Night Market. The entire street & the over passes were full of sidewalk vendors selling nice to not nice costume jewelry, footwear, tops & blouses. skirts etc etc etc, lots of food of course. We did most of our shopping at night since our entire second day was with our dear guide Tong. We also managed to get some shopping done close to her hubby's Optical while waiting for our kids' Rx glasses to be done.

I'll make sure to hit Platinum Mall when we get there next time.

OOOOHH, nightly market in Bangkok. I think my niece and I can dig that!