Thailand is famous for its markets and night bazaars. Most visitors to Thailand spend some time walking around them in search of bargains. The night bazaars and markets in Thailand's major cities and towns are full of character and provide an interesting day or night out.

Markets are what shopping is all about in Thailand. The street markets in the beach areas sell all kinds of clothing, such as t-shirts, DVD movies, watches, along with gift and souvenir items. Remember to compare prices, and bargain hard but with a smile. Ill-tempered bargaining will get you nowhere in Thailand.

The markets in Thailand are a way of life in most of the large cities there is a different market open day and night. Most fresh produce markets are open from 3:00 am. closing around midday. The busiest time is around 4:00 to 5:00 am. Most Thais still buy their fresh food from fresh produce markets, there are thousands throughout Thailand. Some of the markets are everyday, while others operate a couple of days a week.

The fresh produce markets sell fresh food, such as fish, meat, fruits and vegetables. Having a look around a fresh market can be an enjoyable way to mix with the local Thai people and to soak up the colures and smells. If you have a keen interest in Thai food and how it is prepared, a visit to a fresh market provides an opportunity to see all the ingredients used in Thai cooking before they are prepared.

Hotel chefs send cooks and their helpers to the fresh produce markets every night around 03.00 to 05.00 hours to find the best local fresh produce. The markets operate at these hours because it is cool and the produce does not wilt or become damaged in the heat.

Thailand’s strong reliance on its inland waterways for communications and commerce created a strong relationship between the Thai people and the water. Nowhere is this relationship is better represented than at Thailand’s picturesque floating markets are a natural draw for tourists. It is easy to forget these are places of commerce just like normal markets.

Chatuchak (J.J. Market) Weekend Market Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand, and largest market in the world. The market area covers of over 35 acres and contains upwards of 12,000 stalls. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day. Most stalls only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. Chatuchak market is adjacent to the Kamphaengphet MRT Subway station and about a 5-minute walk from the Mo Chit BTS Sky train station.

Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate. The market is open 24 hours a day with varying offerings. On the evening outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come to populate the street sides.

It is located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads in the district Ratchathewi. This is maybe the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak weekend market probably is the low price leader. Other merchandise includes watches and handicrafts.

Pratunam market covers the whole area around and behind the Amari Watergate and Indra Regent Hotels with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the towering Baiyoke Tower II hotel inside it. If you are a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and packed small streets, the area is very safe.

The Famous Patpong Night Market is located in the renowned entertainment district called Patpong. The basic aim of this area is to entertain its tourists. And this objective is very well fulfilled by the busy night market.

Patpong Night Market is along the central streets (Sois) hemmed in on both sides by go-go bars and clubs. The popular Night Market has lots of pirated DVD movies, CDs and tapes, designer copy clothes, watches and leather goods stamped with desirable logos.

Shopping in Patpong Night Market means bargaining hard. You really need to be a master at it to obtain a good deal. Sometimes sellers can be aggressive but you need to maintain your poise. Patpong Market offers visitors an exciting experience and is a favorite with tourists.

Suan Lum Night Bazaar is located in Pathum Wan district, at the intersection of Rama IV and Wireless/Sathorn Roads, opposite Lumphini Park at the Bangkok Metro's Lumphini Station. The Night Bazaar is situated on land owned by the Crown Property Bureau, it opened in 2001. The lease on the property ran out in 2006 and the market was reported to be closing in 2007. But as of April 2008 most vendors remained open.

The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is open from 3:00 pm to midnight, some shops and bars are open later. It has vendors selling gifts, clothing, jewelers, fruit, compact discs, hand made products and fine arts, such as paintings and sculptures. There is a large beer garden, with an array of food available, and live entertainment. On the other side of the market there is a quieter area with many restaurants offering both inside and outside garden seating.

Bo Bae market is a well known center for wholesale garments in Thailand for over 30 years. Today, Bo Bae Tower revolutionizes the garment wholesale business by having well over 700 shops all under one roof with facilities for the customer's convenience.

Bo Bae Tower is located in the heart of Bangkok. It is the biggest garment wholesale center in Thailand. Bo Bae also provides worldwide shipping services.

Taling Chan Floating Market is located on the Khlong Chak Phra canal on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The Market takes place on the on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am. - 4:00pm. It is entirely authentic and well worth visiting.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located in Ratchaburi province some 80 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. It’s the largest floating market in the vicinity, and quickly fills up with groups of tourists. The market is most active between 6:00 am. - 11:00 am.

Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market is located in the Nonthaburi province and the most difficult to deal with because of its opening hours 4:00 am. – 8:00 am. The Market is not at all commercialized, and is probably one of the few places you can see a traditional way of life close to Bangkok.

Tha Kha Floating Market is located 10 kilometers beyond Dammoen Saduak Market in the Samut Songkhram province. It takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 am. - 12:00 am. only 6 days a month in accordance with the Thai lunar calendar. The market is less built up, very authentic and has many natural surroundings.

Hua Hin Night Market offers some of the best shopping in town. The market is open daily from 5:00 pm. and is well worth a walk around to take in the bustling atmosphere with its many sights, sounds and smells.

The night market is perhaps the most noted thing about Chang Mai. It’s located in the eastern side of the city. The market runs about a mile down the length of the main street which is dwarfed by shopping malls, restaurants and stores.

Pattaya's Weekend is located on Thepprasit Road near the junction with Sukhumvit Road. It has over 500 stalls offering food and a variety of goods. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Soi Buakhao Market, sets up on the corner of South Pattaya Road and Soi Buakhao.

From Mikes Shopping Mall Beach Road Pattaya and second road going south to walking street (South Pattaya) there is many street stalls and indoor market halls selling a variety of items. The night market is located at the top of second road (North Pattaya) close to the dolphin roundabout, open daily from 5:00 pm.

Naklua (North Pattaya) has a fresh produce market located by the main post office. The market is open daily from 3:00 am. - 2:00 pm. On Mondays and Thursdays a market sets up on Naklua Road selling a variety of items. Naklua fish market is located at the bottom of Naklua Road, the market is open daily from 5:00 am. - 10:00 am.

Phuket Patong Beach Road is the main shopping street catering to tourists. All along the beach road south of Soi Bangla, and down a few of the small alleys, are stalls and shops selling cheap designer goods, beach wear, watches, some electrical goods and souvenir items. Quite a few stalls and shops are open during the day but the street really comes alive in the evenings.

Chao Fah Variety Market (opposite Wat Nakha, Phuket City) is also known as the Phuket weekend market is located on the outskirts of Phuket City, just off Chaofa West road opposite Wat Nakha (Nakha Temple). This is Phuket's largest weekend market. There is a wide range of items on sale, including clothes, accessories, pets, home decorations and plenty of delicious food.

Phuket's Downtown Market (Ranong Road, Phuket City) this buzzing and colorful market has been in existence since the city's early history, when pirates and traders came to sell their wares or pick up supplies. Today the shoppers are mostly housewives and cooks.