Markets
Asiatique The Riverfront
Asiatique is a night market rebuilt as a riverside mall, in old warehouses with a Ferris wheel. It's tidy, easy and touristy — good for a relaxed evening, not for bargains.
Updated
2 min read
How we research
In this guide ↓
Asiatique The Riverfront occupies the restored warehouses and docks of an old trading company on the east bank of the Chao Phraya, south of the city centre. Inside are hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and stalls, plus a large Ferris wheel and evening entertainment. It's a night market in name, but in practice it's an open-air mall built for visitors: clean, organised and pleasant, with prices to match.
What it's like
- Shopping: souvenirs, clothes, homeware and handicrafts in rows of small shops.
- Food: restaurants and food stalls, several with river views.
- The Ferris wheel: a big one, with views over the river and the city at night.
- Shows and events at some venues in the evening.
- The riverside boardwalk: the best free part, with views of passing boats and the skyline.
Asiatique or a real night market?
| Asiatique | Jodd Fairs and local night markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Tidy, spacious, touristy | Busy, loud, local |
| Prices | Higher | Lower |
| Food | Restaurants and some stalls | Street food is the point |
| Best for | Families, couples, a relaxed evening | Food lovers, a lively night |
If street food and atmosphere are the priority, go to Jodd Fairs or Yaowarat in Chinatown instead. If you want an easy evening by the river with the family, Asiatique is a good fit.
Opening hours
Most shops and restaurants open in the late afternoon and run until around midnight. Opening hours reported by different sources vary, so check Asiatique's official channels before you go.
Getting there
- Free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier, next to BTS Saphan Taksin. Boats run in the afternoon and evening; queues can be long at busy times, and the last boat back is usually around 11pm. Check the schedule at the pier.
- Taxi or Grab: about 15–20 minutes from Silom outside rush hour, much longer at peak times along Charoen Krung Road.
- Chao Phraya Express Boat: some services stop nearby.
Who it suits
- Families: easy to navigate, with space for children, the Ferris wheel and plenty of seating.
- Couples: the boat ride and the riverside boardwalk at sunset make a relaxed date.
- First evening in Bangkok: if you're jet-lagged and want something easy before tackling the busier markets.
It suits travellers less if you're on a budget or looking for the energy and food of a local night market.
How long to spend
Two to three hours is plenty: an hour wandering the warehouses, dinner, the Ferris wheel and a walk along the river.
Tips
- Arrive around sunset for the boat ride and the river views.
- Leave time for the return boat queue if you're relying on the shuttle.
- Combine it with a dinner cruise — several cruises depart from or near Asiatique. See Bangkok dinner cruises.
- At Loy Krathong in November, Asiatique is one of the busiest spots on the river. See Loy Krathong in Bangkok.
For other markets, see the best markets in Bangkok.
where to next?
- Best Markets in BangkokMarkets are where Bangkok is most itself. The trick is matching the market to the day: some only open at weekends, others only come alive after dark.
- Jodd Fairs Night MarketBangkok's best-known night market has moved. If your guidebook sends you to Rama 9, it's out of date — this is where to go now.
- Bangkok Dinner CruisesA dinner cruise is the classic Bangkok evening for couples and families. Choosing the right type of boat matters more than choosing the operator.