Bangkok Mini Guide
A collection of derelict factories and warehouses along the shores of Bangkok’s River of Kings has been re-purposed into a stylish night market with food, fun, and fashion.
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Asiatique The Riverfront opened on 27 April 2012, replacing the popular Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which closed down in late 2010.
Overlooking Bangkok’s legendary Chao Phraya River, a.k.a. the River of Kings, Asiatique is is a collection of renovated factories and warehouses that have been given a new lease on life.
Those once derelict buildings now house more than 1,500 shops and stalls selling all manner of souvenirs, clothing, housewares, furniture, handicrafts, and those wonderful toiletries for which Thailand is so justifiably famous.
Think: soap, shampoo, body lotion, incense, and massage oil with the scents of cinnamon or clove or jasmine.
There are 40 food and beverage outlets at the night market. Included are bars, cafes, and restaurants serving all manner of cuisine, yummy snacks, and signature cocktails.
There is also an old sawmill, a World-War-II bomb shelter, a working replica of Bangkok’s former tram system, and bronze statues representing maritime activity.
Other attractions include performing venues for the Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre and the Calypso Cabaret Show as well as Asiatique Sky. At 60 metres, of 200 feet, it is Bangkok’s tallest Ferris wheel.
Asiatique 101
Asiatique is divided into 4 distinct districts, each with its own identity and focus. Here’s a short course on the venue …
- Waterfront District – overlooking the Chao Praya River, the Waterfront District houses upscale wine bars and international restaurants, which afford panoramic views of the river.
- Factory District – a collection of old factories and warehouses that now house more than 500 fashion boutiques. There is also a renovated sawmill dating back more than 100 years.
- Town Square – a beer garden and several restaurants surround a large open space suitable for outdoor activities.
- Charoenkrung – modeled after the popular Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Charoenkrung has more than 1,000 boutiques – or should I say stalls? You can expect all manner of stuff, from the trendy to the useful to the kitschy.
Nitty Gritty
The 4.8 hectare, or 12 acre, site will eventually be more than doubled in size to a total of 11.52 hectares, or 28.5 acres, of mixed-use development.
Asiatique operates as an open-air night market. It opens every day at 5 pm and remains open until midnight.
Asiatique is located on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok’s Bang Kho Laem District, facing the Chao Phraya River. There is a large parking lot.
Taksin Bridge is the nearest BTS station. A shuttle boat service operates from Sathon Pier to the mall. Some hotels along the river operate shuttle boats of their own.
Where
Charoenkrung Soi 72-72, Bang Kho Laem District, Bangkok, Thailand. Telephone: 02-108-4488.