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A Travel Guide to Tha Tian Market
Tha Tian Market is truly an amazing place to get some great finds while immersing yourself further in Thai culture. This place perfectly combines the old-world charm of Bangkok with the urban lifestyle of the city!
Plus, if you’re looking to buy a souvenir, there are a number of stores here where you can score affordable local products, like dried fish, local spices, clothing, and more.
To help you prepare before you visit Tha Tian Market, we crafted this guide. Read on to know more about this historic and fascinating market in the heart of Bangkok!
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Tha Tian Market is in the early morning or late in the afternoon. During this period, a lot of the stalls and stores in the area are open and selling their colourful and unique items for you to see and enjoy in full view.
Plus, visiting during these times isn’t going to be too hot compared to dropping by mid-day. An early morning trip to the market has its advantages as well and you can check out the nearby tourist spots after you’re done exploring the area.
Things to Know
Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Thai
Calling Code: +66
Address: Tha Tian Market
How to Get There
MRT: The easiest way to get to the Tha Tian Market is via the Sanam Chai MRT Station. You can simply walk your way to the venue from this station and it’ll only take you a few minutes to get there.
Depending on where you’re coming from in Bangkok, you’ll probably have to spend around 15 to 70 THB per trip on the BTS or the MRT.
Tuk-tuks: You can also get to the site via tuk-tuks and this option is quite convenient as they can drop you off point-to-point. Tuk-tuks are great if you want some cultural immersion but their routes and rates can be quite unreliable.
A short tuk-tuk ride will cost you around 50 THB. Just make sure that you come up with an agreed rate with your tuk-tuk driver before to avoid getting overcharged for the fare.
Taxis: The easiest way to get to Tha Tien Market and around Bangkok is via taxi. However, keep in mind that It’s going to be more expensive than the other options as they can set you back 100 THB for every 10 kilometres depending on traffic.
Ride Sharing: Getting a ride via ride-hailing apps can be the most convenient option for you if you want to get to the park fast. It’s going to be the most expensive as rates can double compared to a taxi, especially during peak or rush hour.
Stores and Products to Check Out at Tha Tian Market
Dried Seafood
If you’re after some unique delicacies when in Thailand, then you need to check out the dried seafood stores at Tha Tian Market. Most of them are also salted so if you cook them straight from the market, you don’t have to add any more flavourings or spices.
You’ll also either hate or love the smell of these dried seafood as you walk through the stalls of this market. Whatever the case may be, this unforgettable aroma is one of the most unique smells you’ll ever come across when in Bangkok.
Go through the different baskets of dried seafood and enjoy the sights around the market stalls as you take in the different colours of the products on display. Most of these are sold wholesale but you can always ask for some discounts.
| Local Tip: Most of the dried seafood of Tha Tien are sold per kilo and will cost you around 900 THB. Of course, you can always haggle to get some great discounts while you shop here. In addition, it’s best if you can bring your own eco-bag if you plan to buy a bulk of dried seafood at Tha Tian as this will make it easier and more convenient for you to bring this back to your hotel. |
Souvenirs
Tha Tien Market is also chock full of stores selling some unique trinkets that you can purchase as a souvenir or as a gift to your loved ones back home. Know that with each item you buy from these vendors, you’re actually supporting the local community.
Most stores will sell household items such as native fans and scarves that have a great local vibe to them thanks to their use of indigenous materials. You might also be interested in religious items like gems and small statues of Buddhas – they’re all here!
You’ll also find some Chinese and Indian souvenirs here thanks to the multicultural approach the market has. For example, you can buy Chinese-inspired bracelets right next to a shop selling Indian apparel – inclusive indeed.
| Local Tip: Some of the best-looking souvenirs we saw at the Tha Tien Market are the wood carvings or sculptures of the Buddha. It’s great to have one or two hanging on your wall to show that you visited one of the most historic markets in Southeast Asia. |
Local Spices
There are also a ton of local spices for you to choose from in Tha Tian Market. Most of them are different curry flavours to spice up your cooking and change the taste of your curry dishes.
You can also get some dried ginger, dried fruits, and trail mixes which you can add to your Thai salads to make the flavours pop out even more. Of course, their dried seafood can also be used to flavour your dishes especially if you want to get that distinct taste.
Some of the more common dried seafood used as an add-on to your cuisine include salted dried shrimp bits, salted fish chunks, and even ground-up salted squid. MSG can also be purchased here to give your cooked food more umami!
| Local Tip: One of the best and most sought-after spices at the Tha Tien Market is its chilli paste. It’s usually sold using buckets covered with some plastic wraps so you have to look and ask around for this delicious and spicy treat. |
Clothes
Tha Tien Market isn’t necessarily the fashion capital of Thailand as you’d be hard-pressed to find designer brands and expensive clothing lines here.
Instead, you get affordable clothes with a local flair that you’ll probably purchase as a souvenir or gift.These include tops, skirts, scarves, and some sleeveless shirts that are obviously best worn if you’re planning on hitting the beaches of Thailand.
You can also score some great flip-flops, backpacks, and handbags if you check out the side stalls of Tha Tien.
Fortunately, apparel for sale is located in a separate area from dried seafood. They’re found mostly in the entrances to the market or near fruit shops or stalls, making them less prone to smelling like dried seafood.
| Local Tip: Don’t go buying from the first clothing store you see here. You can walk around first and search for the best deal or try to see which ones can offer you the best value for money based on how well you were able to haggle. |
Street Food
Tha Tien Market is home to some of the most delectable local street food in Bangkok. They’ve got grilled seafood, BBQs, chips, sweets, and other local fares you should try out as you’re walking through the market’s different areas.
For the most authentic local feel, check out the outdoor stalls where you can try out grilled chicken skewers, grilled prawns, and grilled squid. They also have spring rolls plus dried sweet fruits if you want something less oily.
There are also a ton of packed treats here that you can snack on! These include sweet banana chips, garlic peanuts, pork rinds, and crispy sweet chilli fish that you can take around anywhere as you continue your explorations.
| Local Tip: Some of these street foods are already cooked and you can simply ask the vendors selling them if they could reheat them for you. This will not only make your grilled and savoury foods more delicious but also allow you to take in the surrounding area with a local perspective. |
Drinks
Aside from the standard Thai street food, Tha Tien Market is also home to some of the best cold and hot in this area of Thailand. Their fruit shakes here are to die for and they also have tons of frappe and hot tea options that you can try out as you shop around.
There are also stores that sell some delectable ice cream! Try unique flavours such as mango and black forest to beat the heat.
There’s also cheap local beer for sale here. In fact, you can buy a bottle for just 50 THB and enjoy that crisp clean taste Thai beers are known for– just make sure you don’t drink too much as you’ll probably still have to stroll around the market afterward!
| Local Tip: Most of the stores selling these drinks and snacks don’t actually have their own seating areas for you to stay in as you eat and drink their products. As such, expect to just buy and stand or walk through the market as you enjoy your treat. |
Other Places to Visit Near Tha Tian Market
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Address: 939 Rama I Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Contact Number: +6622146630
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Cost
- Free of charge
After your visit to the Tha Tian Market, you can head to the nearby Bangkok Art and Culture Centre to experience the city’s premiere art and culture hub. They feature a ton of interesting exhibits each month making each visit a unique one.
Most of these exhibits are contemporary ones, focusing on themes such as ageing in Thailand, feminism, and modern deconstructionism. You’ll find them quite interesting as they use different media to get their message across, from paintings to sculptures.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre isn’t just full of art exhibits too. There are activities dedicated to music, film, literature, and education which will definitely add some unforgettable value to you not just on your trip to Bangkok but for many years to come.
Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
Address: Floor B1-B2 Siam Paragon 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Contact Number: +6626872000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost
- 600 THB for adults
- 500 THB for children
After seeing some dried seafood, why not check out some live ones while you’re in the area? Kidding aside though, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World is the place to be if you want to see and experience some local and exotic marine wildlife.
One of the coolest areas here is their aquarium housing sharks where you get to watch these formidable aquatic predators as they move around their giant water tanks. You also get to see some cute critters here such as the penguins and manta rays.
If you’re travelling with kids, then Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World is a great venue for them to learn about these aquatic creatures thanks to their interactive exhibits on ocean conservation. Plus, they have a Peppa Pig park for the young ones to enjoy and play in!
National Museum Bangkok
Address: Soi Na Phra That, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Contact Number: +6622241370
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Cost
- 200 THB for foreigners
- 30 THB for Thai Citizens
If you’re done visiting one of Thailand’s oldest market, Tha Tian, you can continue on your journey of cultural immersion by dropping by the National Museum of Bangkok. It’s just 5 minutes away by car from the market and is definitely worth your time.
Here, you can get a glimpse of Thailand’s glorious past thanks to its comprehensive and detailed exhibits showcasing how the kingdom started out and why it is currently where it is.
Some of the best exhibits that you need to visit are the ones showing the funeral chariots and those of the recent coronation of the King of Thailand.
