Bobae Market Bangkok Pratunam's Historic Sister Market

Bobae Market (ตลาดโบ๊เบ๊), known locally as "Bo Bae Market," stands as Bangkok's historic wholesale fashion destination and Pratunam Market's legendary sister market. Located in the atmospheric Rattanakosin district along the scenic Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, this unique market combines traditional Thai wholesale culture with international business, particularly serving Russian and Eastern European buyers. Established in the mid-19th century, Bobae Market offers a more authentic, less touristy wholesale experience while maintaining competitive pricing and extensive fashion selections that rival Pratunam's offerings.

Market Layout and Shopping Areas

Bobae Market features a distinctive layout combining outdoor bridge stalls with indoor shopping centers. The market operates across multiple bridges spanning the historic Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, with each bridge (Bridge 1 through Bridge 4) hosting specialized vendor areas and unique shopping experiences. The famous 32-story Bobae Tower serves as the market's anchor building, offering six floors of wholesale shops, a food hall, parking facilities, and the Prince Palace Hotel occupying the upper floors.

Outdoor Bridge Markets: Each numbered bridge offers distinct shopping opportunities with outdoor stalls featuring wholesale fashion, accessories, and traditional Thai textiles. The scenic canal setting provides a more atmospheric shopping experience compared to covered markets, with vendors operating under colorful awnings and traditional Thai market setups.

Bobae Tower Shopping: The modern 32-floor tower welcomes both small quantity buyers and large wholesale operations, with particular emphasis on serving Russian and Eastern European buyers who have made Bobae Market their preferred Bangkok wholesale destination. The first six floors house numerous small shops offering competitive wholesale pricing on fashion items, accessories, and specialty goods.

How to get there

Located on the 5km long canal or "Khlong" called Phadung Krung Kasem this unusual outdoor market occupies a number of bridges over the canal, and the surrounding streets.  Built in the mid 19th century this Khlong is one of the newest and forms the border between the old and new parts of the city of Bangkok.

Although theoretically reachable by water in practice there are no express boats here and long tail water taxi are rare or unknown. Instead take a bus to Talat Bo Be or Yaek Phuchong which are at the south and north ends of the market respectively.

Bobae Market Opening Hours

Daily Operating Schedule: Both the outdoor Bobae Market bridges and the indoor Bobae Tower operate from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, offering 12 hours of wholesale shopping opportunities. The early morning opening makes Bobae Market ideal for serious wholesale buyers and early shoppers seeking the best selection before crowds arrive.

Peak Hours: The busiest shopping period occurs between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM when wholesale buyers, including many Russian and international buyers, conduct their primary business transactions. Early morning visits (6:00-8:00 AM) offer the best selection and freshest merchandise setup.

No Night Market: Unlike Pratunam Market, Bobae Market does not operate evening or night market hours. All shopping activities conclude by 6:00 PM, making it purely a daytime wholesale destination focused on serious business transactions rather than tourist evening entertainment.

Staying

Of course the Prince Palace Hotel which occupies the top two thirds of the Bobae Tower building beside the market itself is the unbeatable place to stay if wholesale garment shopping is your reason for visiting Bangkok and for some reason  you decide Bobae market is more suitable than Pratunam Market.