Shopping up a storm in Pattaya

The city with a sinful reputation has innocent pleasures to offer too.


Pattaya's nightlife offers much more than the beachside beer bars, with new, cool upscale bars like Mantra, 5 Supperclub and Latitude, and the chic shopping mall The Avenue adding vibrancy to this bouncy town.

But for sheer variety, it's hard to beat the town's biggest night bazaar, a popular weekend hangout for tourists and locals alike. Located on Thepprasit Road in central Pattaya, Thepprasit Market seems to be a miniature version of Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market. But a walk around this one-kilometre strip will reveal things you won't find elsewhere.

Hundreds of vendors showcase an astonishing range of merchandise and traditional food. Stylish fashion products at reasonable prices include watches, colourful slippers, sunglasses, shorts, Tshirts, handbags, jeans and accessories.

Those with a passion for retro trends should stop by the Otop fashion stall run by designer Paa Ladda Intawong. Or keep your eyes peeled for the outlets selling used sneakers - Bt120 to Bt150. Elsewhere, "preloved" bigbrand fashions start at Bt40.

Auto enthusiasts can find spare parts, including gleaming customised exhaust pipes and mag wheels.

Pet shops abound, too, displaying cute puppies, rabbits, birds, fish and guinea pigs, while gardening enthusiasts have an area of stalls selling trees, flowers and tools to keep them busy.

And when hunger strikes, you're never more than a few steps from a hot and tasty treat.

XTRA

Indulge yourself here

Thepprasit Market

Thepprasit Road, Central Pattaya

Friday to Sunday, 5 to 11pm

Pattarawadee Saengmanee