Patpong Night Market – Bangkok After Dark

Bangkok changes character after sunset.

And Patpong is one of those places where the change is quite dramatic.

Located between Silom Road and Surawong Road, Patpong is made up of a couple of narrow streets that remain fairly ordinary during the day. By evening, stalls begin to appear and the area slowly turns into a crowded night market.

The market is not very large.

But it is certainly colourful.

Rows of temporary stalls sell T-shirts, watches, bags, souvenirs, accessories and all kinds of tourist merchandise. Many products carry familiar international brand names, though imitation goods are common here.

So, bargain.

And bargain well.

The first price quoted need not be the final one.

Shopping is Only Half the Story

Patpong is different from many other night markets in Bangkok.

The market stalls occupy the same streets that are also known for bars, clubs and adult-entertainment venues. Neon signs glow above the shops, music comes from different directions and tourists keep moving through the narrow passages between the stalls.

You can simply walk through the market, shop and leave without entering any of the nightlife venues.

That is exactly what many visitors do.

But the surroundings are unmistakably Patpong.

A Different Side of Bangkok

I would probably not come here looking for serious shopping.

Bangkok has bigger and better markets for that.

Patpong is more about experiencing a particular side of the city after dark.

The crowds, bargaining, bright lights, roadside shops and nightlife all come together in a very compact space. In that sense, even a short walk through Patpong gives you a glimpse of Bangkok that is quite different from its temples, palaces and shopping malls.

One practical point: touts may approach visitors offering entry to shows or clubs. It is better not to follow anyone into an unfamiliar upstairs venue or agree to anything without knowing the price clearly. Inflated-bill scams connected with such venues have long been reported in Patpong.

Women and couples commonly visit the market, and the main shopping streets are busy in the evenings. Families may also pass through, but because adult venues are located right beside the stalls, I would not particularly recommend Patpong as a place to take young children.

Come here for an evening walk.

Look around.

Bargain if something catches your eye.

And experience one of Bangkok's most famous nightlife streets.

Happy travelling.