For those who come to Bangkok looking for an authentic Thai street food and market experience, Wang Lang Market should be high on your list. Wang Lang Market is on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, next to Siriraj Hospital. The name means ‘rear palace market’ because of its close proximity to the Rear Palace, a palace belonging to the nephew of King Rama I which is no longer standing. The Wang Lang Market is popular with local workers, particularly from the nearby Siriraj Hospital.
As it is a true Thai street market, it can be a little overwhelming at first. Nearest to the river, you will find lots of clothing stalls but you should venture deeper into the alleyways to find the real unique items and bargains. This is where the shopping fun begins, as things get cheaper the deeper you explore into the market.
Street food vendors stretch for quite some way down Phran Nok Road and through all of the surrounding alleyways. Meat skewers are particularly popular, as is the fried teriyaki pork. At the Wang Lang Bakery you can grab some stuffed bread or try the amazing and authentic green papaya salad from the small but legendary ‘Som Tam Sida’ restaurant. You can also get your favorite curries, a wide variety of fruit (whole or in delicious smoothies) and Khao Lam, a sticky rice ball grilled in bamboo. You can get pretty much any kind of Thai food down these alleyways, and then some. Wang Lang market is famous for its desserts. There are plenty of dessert vendors here, with an average price of around 100 baht per treat. You have to try the pancakes stuffed with egg yolk floss, chai tea cake, mango sticky rice and the red molten lava brownie.
Getting to Wang Lang Market
You can easily get to Wang Lang Market via public transportation. From the Saphan Taksin BTS station on the Silom Line you can walk two minutes to a boat taxi pier, where you can catch a boat heading towards Nonthaburi and the Prannok Pier.
If you are staying on Khaosan Road then it is possible to walk to Wang Lang Market within 25 minutes.
Wang Lang Market is a true Bangkok street market. There is very little signage or menus in English at Wang Lang Market so we recommend visiting with Your Thai Guide to make your visit as easy and carefree as possible.
Wang Lang Market can be visited every day of the week from 8am until 6pm.
Admission Price: Free entry.
Wang Lang Market is a great place to visit when you’re in the Thonburi neighborhood and there is plenty to see and do on the Thonburi side of the river while you’re there, like visiting the Siriraj Medical Museum. The old city is just across the river, so you’re right in the thick of things when it comes to Bangkok adventures.
