Getting There

Tourist boat: Stops at Central Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin), N1, N3, N5, Wat Kanlayanamit Pier, N8, Maharat Pier, N10, N13. Daily 9:30am-7:30pm.
No flag: Stops every pier. Mon-Fri 6:20-8:05am, 3-5:30pm.
Orange flag: Stops at Central Pier, N1, N3-6, N8-10, N12-13, N15-16, N18, N21-22, N24, N29/1-30. Daily 6am-7pm.
Yellow & Green flag. Stops at Central Pier, N3, N5, N9, N10, N12, N15-16, N24, N30, N32-33. Mon-Fri 6:15-8:10am, 3:30-6:05pm.
Yellow flag. Stops at Central Pier, N3, N5, N10, N12, N15, N22, N24, N30. Mon-Fri 6:15-8:30am, 3:30-8pm.

Klongsan (N3)

Where: Get off the express boat at Si Phraya pier (N3) and take a cross-river ferry.
Who: Thonburi residents picking up bargain outfits on the way home.
When: Daily from 10am-9:30pm but go from 2pm onwards.
Hot Shops:
(1) Donman Shoe (089-146-0645). Although very last season (or even three seasons ago), Gladiator sandals are still a street fashion must-have thanks to their perfect fit with Bangkok weather. Pairs of shoes at Donman are made from genuine leather and are affordably priced at B150-450. Can’t find your size? Place your order and come back a day later to pick them up.

(2) Bung Bag Shop (089-130-3889). This vintage-bag heaven is where indie kids rummage through hundreds of pieces the owner brings back from Rong Kleua Market every week. Ranging from faux-retro to authentic luxe brand names, their prices are just as eclectic: B400-4,500.
(3) Sakda Karnwaen (02-437-4834). In love with nerdy glasses? Can’t afford Chanel or Oliver Peoples? Well how does B190-250 a pair sound? Since it’s also a proper optical shop, you can get your lenses done here, too.
Market meals: The one and only, the famous, the irresistibly sweet (4) Bua Loy Khai Wan Klongsan (081-697-5971) serves up a perfect combination of mochi-like balls and sweetened coconut milk. B12 or B18 with egg.

Prachan (N10)

Where: Get off at Wanglang Pier and take a ferry or get off at Ta Chang Pier and walk.
Who: Oldies and monks go for amulets while Thammasat and Silapakorn kid, grab bohemian finds and have their fortune told.
When: The amulet market is open from around 9am-7pm but for the other stuff, it’s better to head there after the uni kids finish class, from 3-6pm.
Hot Shops:
(5) Leum Mai Long (087-702-2188. Open daily 11am-7pm). Repeatedly featured in magazines, this shop is packed with dek naew searching for ironic luk thung t-shirts or nostalgic Ts with vintage prints and ancient Thai typography. Prices are between B150- B350.
(6) @Means (087-323-9136. Open daily 11am-7:30pm). Stylish and easy to wear, @Means is a one-stop shop for girls on a tight budget (B200-450) and schedule. With cute shoes, bags and even cosmetics, the shop can have your new look sorted within minutes.
(7) Passion (084-676-6813. Open daily 12pm-7pm). By the wall of a famous music store, Nong Ta Prachan, lies a large collection of gypsy fashion accessories. This colorful stall is enchanting. It has everything from feather earrings to rings with mysterious stones. Our pick? The dream catcher necklace (B159). Most of the products are handmade, with a few imports from Vietnam and Nepal. We sometimes get the feeling a few have magical properties—well, if only the ability to turn heads.
(8) Rodsaniyom (086-565-9517. Open daily 12pm-5pm) Located out in the open, right on the street, Rodsaniyom has two parts to it: glasses and women’s clothes. The clothes (B390-B790) are self-designed and are handmade—mostly brand copies with a pattern or detail added for good measure. The other stall sells fashionable glasses and sunglasses (B199-B290), but please make sure to change the lenses.
(9) Nong (www.nongtaprachan.com). Before there was Thai Ticketmaster, Nong Tha Prachan was where you lined up for tickets to P’Bird and other hot artist concerts. Even though its glory days have gone, this tiny shop is still one of the first places you can get the newest CD singles from Thai and international artists.
(10) A secondhand book shop (Open daily 10am-6pm). The uncle sells old Thai and international magazines with a variety of selections from fashion like Vogue to home decoration magazines. Prices can be as low as B20-35 for Thai magazines and B75 up for international issues.
Market meals: Ignore the grumpy stall vendor’s dirty nails and just try the yummy (11) grilled bananas stall that has beeb at Tha Prachan for as long as we could remember.

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