Asiatique The Riverfront is the newest Bangkok Night Market, opened in May 2012. Ever since the closure of the Lumphini night market there have been different places that tried to “fill the gap” – and this finally is it.
Actually it’s more than a typical night market – it could also be called
a shopping and lifestyle complex. But the main place is a shopping area
located in the old warehouses of the East Asiatic Company. It’s popular not just with tourists, but also with Thais, but it
definitely is the most upscale night market in Bangkok. One of the first
things you’ll see when you walk from the river to the market is a huge
iStore.
4 Areas
The Asiatique Riverfront is separated in four districts:
The Factory District is where the shopping goes on,
and where most of the 1500 small shop are located in old warehouses. You
find lots of fashion, some souvenirs, design items, handicrafts,
furniture, home furnishings and other things, and the selection
resembles the kind of merchandise you find at Terminal 21 – at least
when it comes to fashion. You get good value for the money you pay, but
it’s not the cheap bargain hunting you find at many other night markets.
The Waterfront District is what you see when you
first arrive by boat. You find fancy restaurants and event venues lined
up along a 300m boardwalk. Concerts, festivals and the New Year’s
countdown celebrations take place here.
The Down Square District is a mixture of Thai & Western influences – a large sports bar, international food, and a small events area.
The Chareonkrung District is where you find more
than 1,000 retail shops selling handicrafts, home decor, souvenirs, but
also the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre and the Calypso Show.
Eating At The Asiatique
There are more than 40 restaurants here, so you won’t need to leave
hungry. There also is an outdoor food court (which is very clean), but
fortunately there’s a roof protecting you even when it rains.
There are plenty of international dining options, from Japanese, to
Italien, Korean, American, Thai, Seafood, Chinese, and like this shop –
Champion Kebab – Turkish (it’s quite popular with international
tourists).
Entertainment
There are several shows taking place, like the Joe Louis Puppet
Theater (which formerly performed at the Lumphini night plaza) and the
famous Calypso Bangkok Theater.
The Joe Louis Puppet Theater is a traditional puppet performance, but
with modern choreography, and it will take your mind on a wonderful
mystic (and at the same time) funny journey of ancient Thai characters.
The Calypso is quiet a spectacle – 50 performers at each show. If you
come with a group of five, that’s perfect, because there are tables for
five people.
There are also some small vendors, and things like getting your
portrait painted and the overall atmosphere is quite lively, without
being overcrowded or busy.
 |
| in Asiatique have a Big Wheels. |
Opening hours: 5pm to midnight
How to get there: By boat. Take the BTS (skytrain)
to Saphan Taksin station. Then walk to the river. There you can get on a
free ferry boat to Asiatique The Riverfront – it’s about 15 minutes and
you get to enjoy the nice view of the Chao Phraya river. The boat
leaves from the Saphan Taksin station every 15 minutes, starting at 4:30
p.m. and the last boat leaves from the Asiatique pier back to Saphan
Thaksin at 11:30 p.m. It’s best to avoid going by taxi, because the road
that leads there suffers from chronic trafficjamitis.
