Located around the corner from Silom Road and across from Lumphini Park is the colourful and eclectic Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Less chaotic and claustrophobic than Chatuchak Market, this huge night bazaar is Bangkok’s equivalent of an all inclusive entertainment and shopping plaza. The outdoor market is packed with about 3,700 shops selling gift items, sa paper, ceramics, silk clothing, home decor and a number of only-in-Thailand products called OTOP. There are also a few stalls featuring stylish and originally designed dresses, handbags, jewellery made from precious stones and re-fitted denim items.
Unlike Chatuchak, Suan Lum follows a fairly well-laid out grid system that’s divided into zones with sois, or lanes, bearing the names of Siam’s old royal capitals like Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lop Buri. In Zones A, B and C you’ll find an array of aromatic goodies, such as handmade candles, soaps and aromatherapy products. For luxurious scented products head to Raan Bai Mai (Ayuthaya Soi 3, B96), the official supplier of the exclusive Banyan Tree resorts. For cheaper products try a small no-name shop (Ayuttaya Soi 9, C263) that carries aromatic oils, burners and incense sticks.
Zone D features some funky furniture items, traditional Thai artworks, tapestries and other decorative items to liven up your home. Check out Fabiola Design in Lop Buri, D519 (www.fabioladesign.com) for some hand-designed picture frames and other home decorations. And where else could you find necklaces, candle-holders and even vases made from paper (that’s right, paper) but at Paper Art and Decor (Lop Buri Soi 3 Lot D, www.paperartanddecor.com) You can also order from them on the Internet or buy wholesale.
But shopping is far from the only pleasure at Suan Lum. There’s also a mini-spa with reflexology and traditional Thai massages to rub you the right way. Near the
entrance is a massive beer garden and food court. On-stage nightly is a cabaret-style show of starring hip young Thai singers and dancers belting out current English and local hits.
The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre (for traditional Thai puppetry) and the BEC Tero Hall (for performances by international acts) are other main attractions at the night bazaar.
