Affordable Bangkok shopping guide – 24 affordable places in Bangkok to shop, dine and stay on a budget

So you want to shop in Bangkok but you have a serious budget. The next question is… Is it possible to shop till you drop on a tight budget in Bangkok?

Guess what shopaholics, it’s DEFINITELY POSSIBLE. But only if you shop in the right places. 😉

Here are our favourite places that are not only affordable but also sell cute things you’d love! Fashion earrings for 20 baht each? T-shirts for 80 baht? We have it all!

This affordable shopping guide includes different must-go shopping places – from night markets to cosmetics and skincare stores.

So take this list along with you the next time you shop, and trust me. You’ll be buying soooo much stuff (even on a budget) that you’d probably need another luggage! 😀

Read more:

4D3N shopping guide to maximise your time in Bangkok

20 places in Bangkok to shop for affordable furniture and homeware

The ultimate Chatuchak shopping guide – conquer the weekend market in 5 hours with your BFFs!

When to Go

When should I take leave?

Unlike other cities in Thailand, Bangkok is busy throughout the year. So whether you come on a weekday or weekend, there are MANY shops selling affordable items you can visit any day of the week – unless you can’t miss out a day in Chatuchak (opens only on weekends). 😉

But for us shoppers travelling on a budget, I recommend coming here around June to July when mid-year sales are held or whenever flight prices are the lowest (cost-saving).

Find the lowest flight fares on Trip.com!

When to Prepare

How to avoid wasting time on queuing and not get scammed?

• Airport Transfers
  To avoid scams or unnecessary waiting time, consider getting an airport transfer that will whisk you away to your first destination upon exiting the airport. It’s fast and affordable! (From USD $13.72)

• Transport around Bangkok
  How to avoid wasting time on travelling around or getting stuck in bad traffic jams especially in central Bangkok? Take the BTS! For places that might be slightly out of the way, take the BTS to the nearest BTS station to your destination – then get a taxi or Grab (use this when taxi drivers don’t know where you want to go) the rest of the way. Don’t waste time queueing for BTS tickets and use a Rabbit Card instead – which you can get from Trip.com (comes with 200 baht stored value). (From USD $10.19)

• City Transfers
  If an “everyday shopping” itinerary is too much for you, we recommend going on affordable day-trips to freshen up (before shopping again!). Rent a car to keep your costs down (instead of booking a private tour). (From USD $15.89)

• Airport Luggage Services
  If you really want to make full use of your time in Bangkok, and start shopping right upon touching down, opt to enlist a luggage delivery service (e.g. AIRPORTELs) that will bring your luggage straight to the hotel.

When to Stay

How to save more time for shopping?

If you don’t want to waste time getting around or travelling to different places during your holiday…

The smartest thing to do is to find a stay in a central location that’s close to anywhere/everywhere you want to go. Otherwise, you could also choose a stay that’s located near a BTS, so travelling is easily accessible!

Here are your best options!

• Stay in the heart of the shopping district – Siam, Pratunam
  Read more: 13 incredibly affordable Bangkok hotels under $40 in central Pratunam

• Stylish, near the shopping district and more! – Ekkamai, Thonglor, Phrom Phong
  Read more: Where to stay in Bangkok – 6 best areas and 12 budget hotels near BTS (under $40!)

• Other hotels near the BTS (with balcony & city views!)
  Read more:
  11 affordable Bangkok hotels with balcony under $50 near BTS skytrain

Find more affordable hotels on Trip.com!

Where to shop and eat

Where to make the most of my budget?

Whether you’re buying fashion or beauty products or food souvenirs, maximize your budget by shopping at these places. Also, discover the best places to find inexpensive yet delicious food for you to eat after your shopping spree.

PS: Don’t forget to stop by Siam Square’s numerous budget-friendly shops (e.g. Choosedress, Cintage School, Multy Beauty, etc) – highly recommended!! 😀

1. Affordable fashion shopping – stock up on clothes and accessories!

There are two main places you can buy fashion items at wallet-friendly prices in Bangkok – shopping malls and night markets.

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1a. Shopping malls

1a-1. Trendy clothes and accessories for him and her – Tawanna

Looking for 100 baht suits or 99 baht nighties? Then it’s best if you come to Tawanna. With everything from blazers to cute dresses available here, you’ll be sure to enjoy hunting down absolute treasures here – without burning a hole in your pocket!

1a-2. This might be better than Platinum Mall! (psst… it’s cheaper) – Union Mall

It’s a secret most don’t know, but Union Mall might actually be is definitely better than Platinum Mall. With trendy clothes from 100 baht and earrings at 20 baht per piece, you’ll find great bargains here. There’s a good night market right outside selling affordable fashion items too!

1a-3. A smaller albeit budget-friendly version of Siam Square – Victory Monument

If you want to buy cute, trendy outfits that Thais like to wear, then you’d want to come to Victory Monument (namely Victory Point, Center One and 1st floor of Victory Mall). You’ll find everything here, from patterned denim jackets (200 baht) to men’s belts (100 baht) and string bags (100 baht).

1a-4. Fill your closet with cute patterned jackets, dresses and tops – Cintage School

Feeling cute? Find pretty dresses, skirts and printed t-shirts and more here! We found some great buys here and if it’s your thing, you’ll love this place too!

PS: There are two branches at Siam Square, but we recommend checking out the Soi 10 branch – here’s a canteen-themed cafe with a ballpit for those Instagram photos and nail parlour here too!

1a-5. Get fashionable yet comfortable casual wear and accessories –  Choosedress

Be in style with trendy shirts, pants and dresses from Choosedress. You can also jazz up your outfit with cute bags and shoes or even get yourself unique accessories here. I really liked the oversized dusty lavender knit I bought here! (Also, Rose Dome from Beauty and the Beast anyone? 😉 ).

PS: There’s a Sleep Salon on the 3rd floor where you can take a nap while getting your hair and nails done. How awesome is that?!

1b. Night Markets

1b-1. Shop ‘til you drop at the train night market around central Bangkok! – Rod Fai Night Market Ratchada

The market’s not only full of stalls selling items from 20 baht, it’s also near central Bangkok! Better yet, it sells everything from clothes to phone casings to vintage items (at great prices). So the next time you’re going on a shopping spree, don’t forget to stop by Rod Fai Night Market Ratchada.

1b-2. Huuuge vintage train market with lots of shopping options – Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin

Find everything you’ll ever need from new and second-hand vintage clothing to plushies and clocks. Although quite far from the city centre, the budget-friendly prices and vast selection of goods here will make you want to return for more (price starts from 20 baht).

1b-3. Shop and pay like a local at this local night market – Owl Market

It’s quite far from downtown, but its wide shopping selections and good prices make Owl Market a must-go for shoppers on a budget. Plus size dresses for 250 baht? Shoes for 150 baht? Plus other clothing from 80 baht? Count me in!

1b-4. Understated night market that’s a must-go in our books – Liab Duan Night Market

What’s available to buy here? Everything from clothes to pet stuff and homewares. But for you fashion shoppers, you’d be delighted to know that Liab Duan Night Market has many really cute designs we’ve yet to see elsewhere in Bangkok – at prices your wallet will be happy with!

1b-5. Unexpectedly chic (and cheap) shopping – Huamum Market

If you’re here to stock up on clothes, the fashion’s quite chic with a good range for both men and ladies. We saw these cool Balmain-inspired biker jeans, and a number of quirky designs while walking around. But fret not – there’s also the usual adults and kids clothing on sale if funky is not your thing.

Bonus: Cute (yet affordable) accessories and household goods – Moshi Moshi

Need 70 baht hand towels that look like dresses? 30 baht fruit-shaped soaps? Or 25 baht reusable water bottles? If yes, then you’ll love it here! Not just buying for yourself, you might even find the perfect gift for your friends or family here (without spending so much money). 😉

2. Affordable cosmetics and skincare shopping – good and fun products at lower prices!

2a. Shop Thai and International beauty brands at “local” prices – Multy Beauty

Are you the type to use high-end brands like SK-II and Urban Decay or more affordable brands like Mille? Either or, you can find them all here at very wallet-friendly prices (where else can you find a 370 baht NARS concealer?). You might even find cutely designed beauty items like My Little Pony-themed products here!

2b. A princess-themed beauty store fit for fashionistas – CastleC

Whether you’re a fashionista or a simple make-up lover, CastleC has your back with affordable yet top-grade beauty items (35-colour eyeshadow palette for 890 baht or a Rosie Rose Serum for 207 baht anyone?!).

2c. Meet Thailand’s Sephora – EVEANDBOY

Behold beauty junkies. Here’s your answer to beauty heaven, with rows and rows of make-up and skincare brands ranging from local to international. Not sure what to get? What about something from Cathy Doll (remember its 20 baht blackhead masks?) or Cute Press’s Juliet Rose EDT perfume (only 300 baht!)?

2d. Find your favourite local and international beauty brands here – Beautrium

Whether you need a new makeup palette or the most effective sunblock, find the makeup and skincare product you need (at low prices) only at Beautrium. Male and kids-friendly skincare products are also sold here – everyone should look and feel good inside and out right? 😉

2e. Get all your beauty necessities at UK’s top drugstore – Boots

Boots offers a huuuuge range of products that caters for everything. These include Boots’ 3-min cucumber masks, Tea Tree & Witch Hazel skin care range, hair removal stuff like the Warm Wax Kit and even Ante-Natal Massage Cream.

2f. Don’t miss out on house brand beauty products (that surprisingly works well!) – Watsons

Like others, Watsons sells local and international beauty and skincare products at varied prices. However, we highly recommend shoppers to get Watson’s (affordable yet high quality) house brand products, including goods from the Collagen skincare range (masks, moisturising sprays, etc) and spray moisturisers (comes in several flavours like Pure Oats and Aloe Vera).

3. Affordable Snacks shopping – stock up on your favourite Thai, Japanese & Korean snacks!

3a. Snacks shopping? Here’s your best bet! – Big C Supercenter, Ratchadamri

Don’t know what to get for your friends and family back home? How about some Thai snacks from Big C Supercenter, sure to please even the pickiest person on the planet! Otherwise, find everything you need here – from instant noodles and dried mangoes to Thai curry paste – at very low prices.

3b. Get your 1-month worth of Japanese goodies – Don Don Donki

Shoyu or Tonkotsu ramen for 104 baht? Roasted Scallops from Hokkaido for 499 baht? Get these (at reasonable prices) only at Don Don Donki. Don’t forget to stock up on other delicious Japanese snacks like lemon-flavoured seaweed crackers (159 baht) and Kitkat (199 baht) too!

3c. Get your favourite Thai snacks in small sizes – 7-11

What’s great about 7-11 is they not only sell Thai snacks in small packages (perfect for 1 person), some are even sold only at 7-11! Most importantly, these snacks are cheap AND they’re available everywhere (you can find 7-11 at almost every street)! Perfect for souvenirs and midnight snacks. 😉

4. Affordable places to eat – at local prices!

4a. Delicious yet cheap food by renowned eateries around Thailand – foodwOrld @ CentralWorld 

Try more than 600 Thai and international dishes by renowned eateries (including one listed in the Michelin Guide) only at foodwOrld. You can also get local desserts like Yaowarat’s famous toasted bun (no need to queue here!) and coconut ice-cream here if you want to end your meal with something sweet.

4b. Delicious yet budget-friendly Thai street food for late night eaters – Soi 38 Night Market (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง สุขุมวิท 38 – Street Food Court)

Love Thai street food? Then there’s no better place than Soi 38 Night Market, whose vendors used to operate at the famous Sukhumvit Soi 38 Street Food Market. The best dishes to try here are the Khao Mun Gai (Thai Chicken Rice, one of our personal favourites), Wanton Noodles and desserts from the dessert store.

4c. The cheapest food court in downtown Bangkok! – Pier 21 @ Terminal 21

Don’t have much money left? I recommend you to eat at Pier 21, where you can find the cheapest Thai food sold at food courts across Bangkok. A set of Khao Kha Moo (includes stewed pork, fried pork, braised egg, intestines, veggies and rice) for only 59 baht?! Nowhere else can you find that but at Terminal 21 (it usually sells for around 80 baht).

4d. Fill your hungry bellies with Thailand’s popular dishes – Pratunam

Although better known for its shopping scene, Pratunam actually has numerous popular yet wallet-friendly eateries whose taste doesn’t lose to restaurants in malls. Chicken rice from Go Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam for 40 baht? Khao Kha Moo from Khao Kha Moo Truk Sung for 50 baht? Yes please. 😀

Everyone loves to shop – and we do too (especially when it’s so affordable)!

Remember to hit up these places the next time you’re in Bangkok and shop your heart out. 😉 Happy shopping! 😀

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