Bangkok offers travelers a good selection of night markets and The One Ratchada is a new night market opened in 2022. The One Ratchada night market is located on the site of the former Ratchada Train Night Market, in a very convenient location in the city center, just next to MRT metro station.
The One Ratchada Night Market
The One Ratchada Location
The One Ratchada Night Market is located on Ratchadaphisek Road, just behind Esplanade Shopping Mall. The night market is easily accessible as it's just next to MRT Metro Thai Cultural Center station.
Previously, there was a photogenic Ratchada Train Night Market (Talat Rod Fai Ratchada) located. However, it was shut down due to the epidemic, and the new night market opened in 2022 at the original site under the new name "The One Ratchada".
The One Ratchada Atmosphere
There is a "The One Ratchada" sign at the entrance of the market, which is a popular place to take photos.
The One Ratchada is an open-air night market and the shops are line up under white tents one after another, which is different from the rainbow-colored tents of the previous Ratchada Train Night Market. A wide range of goods and food, open-air bars and live music performances are available at this Bangkok night market.
Update: The original Ratchada Train Night Market has recently been transformed into Jodd Fairs Night Market on Rama 9 Road in Bangkok, just 1.5 km away from The One Ratchada so you can easily check it out together!
Compared to Jodd Fairs Night Market or Ratchada Train Night Market, The One Ratchada is not as famous among tourists and much less crowed, but definitely still offers a nice night market atmosphere and has an exciting range of offerings and a unique array of delicacies.
The One Ratchada is well organized and mainly divided into 3 sections. The nearest to the entrance is mainly stalls selling various goods. The main area of the market focuses on food, where you will find many food stalls and restaurants. The last area is dedicated to the open bars where people fill seats after the sun goes down.
The One Ratchada Food
Several rows of the market are dedicated to food stalls offering a great variety to feed all the different cravings. It is best to come here with an empty stomach to enjoy different food from several vendors selling variety of cuisines.
Stewed Spicy Pork Ribs is the highlight of The One Ratchada Night Market’s food zone and you don’t need to wait at a long queue for it (contrary to Jodd Fairs). These huge ribs are very tender and served in a hot and spicy sour soup. The ribs are served in different portions and the price of the dish depends on the size you order, starting from as low as 100 THB.
If you are a seafood lover, there are some seafood restaurants serving Thai-style salted fish, fresh grilled squids and all kinds of seafood delicacies. Some of them serve spicy mixed seafood on paper. The basket and plastic gloves are provided for you to eat your food. It’s definitely one of the better food experiences at The One Ratchada Night Market.
A popular snack of small live shrimps called “Dancing Shrimp” can also be found here. The dancing shrimp wrap in seaweed is sold at 40 THB and the spicy salad of dancing shrimp is sold at 80 THB.
This market is also great for trying some authentic Thai food such as Tom Yum Goong (Thai Hot and Sour Soup with Shrimp), Thai boat noodle, Thai-style crispy pancakes or Thai-style charcoal-grilled chicken skewers. If you like Thai food, you will definitely be satisfied here.
Shushi costs 10-15 THB per piece in this market with partially different topping.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you will want Roti or a pan-fried bread which is sold with a variety of fillings, and the price is starting from 40 THB. There are donuts with the filling to choose from vanilla, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, green tea, chocolate, or peanut butter with prices starting from 59 THB.
They are also selling many popular tropical Thai fruits such as mango, durian and mangosteens at the night market. You can find fresh mango at the price from 40 THB and jackfruit from 30 THB.
You can find a variety of fried golden and crispy insects like grasshoppers and silkworms, if you are willing to try these exotic snacks. Before you try, read our guide to Thailand Insect Food.
They also have every kind of refreshing beverages such as chocolate drinks, bubble tea, fruit smoothies and cocktails waiting for you.
The food and prices here can be varied as some restaurant set the price higher than you would expect to pay at the typical Bangkok night market while other places are offering street food at normal Thai price.
As The One Ratchada Night Market is not much touristy, you can find a seat easy. If you just want to grab a fruit smoothie, some snack or a couple of skewers, there is a large sitting area at the back of the market, where you can bring your food and enjoy it.
Things to Buy at The One Ratchada
Once you hit The One Ratchada, there are many stalls selling a variety of items such as handmade mobile phone cases, jeans, clothes, T-shirts with interesting prints, colorful dresses, bags, and shoes.
The items being sold here are not much different from the stuff sold at the markets around Bangkok. You can find enough standard tourist souvenirs and small gifts such as fridge magnets, handwoven scarves, handicrafts bags, handmade small wallets, keychains with customized names, scented soaps, Thai specialties and dry fruits, just like in any other touristy spot in Bangkok.
It’s pleasant to walk around this market zone as it is not crowded and you don’t feel pressured into buying anything. Prices here are reasonable but it’s still good to look around as the same stuff could cost differently. For example, you can find the elephant pants on sale for around 100-120 THB. Sometimes you can bargain, but mostly prices are fixed.
Bars at The One Ratchada
You will find a row of different themed open-air bars at the back of The One Ratchada Night Market. There’s a good selection of open-air bars and pubs with different kinds of music and drinks for people to stop at for refueling and recharging. The bars are colorful and brightly lit at night, making them a great place for photography lovers.
At the time of our visit, it was still quite early and bar zone was almost empty, but as the night progresses, it should get more people.
Bars here serve beers and other liquors both locals and imported ones at reasonable prices.
The One Ratchada Activities
There are many nail salons offering nail painting for women at the night market and some barber shops offering cool haircut for men.
You will see a big smoke shop at the night market with a selection of cannabis at varying prices.
The One Ratchada from above
Speaking of the photogenic spots at The One Ratchada Night Market, the countless white tents can be photographed from above. If you want to get a perfect bird-eye photo of the market, you have to go the Esplanade Mall, which is located just beside the market. You need to take the lift to 4th floor (or choose another floor if you prefer different angle) and walk to the car park lot where you will be able to get a nice picture of night market’s white stalls.
To take a panoramic view of the night market easier, you can also head to the end of the market and take some shots from the top of one of the container bars found there.
Summary
In general, The One Ratchada Night Market is one of most interesting night markets in Bangkok. The market offers a wide range of shopping and eating options without huge crowds. It's definitely a convenient and good option for those who want to visit night market with chillax vibe and more space.
It’s really worth to spend 1-2 hours just wandering around the stalls, eating various food and soaking in the atmosphere.
Each night market has its own characteristics, so you can easily combine a visit to The One Ratchada Market with a trip to other night markets in the city. For more touristy vibe, you can head to the nearby Jodd Fairs Night Market at Rama 9. For more local atmosphere, we recommend you to head to the original Train Market - Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin.
The One Ratchada Opening Hours
The One Ratchada Night Market is open daily, from 17:00 to midnight.
The best time to visit the market is from 18:30 or after the sun goes down, when most of the stalls are set up already as some of them don't open too early. However, the market gets much busier early in the day on weekends.
How to get there
Public Bus
Take Bangkok Bus No. 73, 74, 136, 179, 185, 206, 514, 517 and drop off at MRT Thailand Cultural Centre bus stop. Then walk towards the Esplanade shopping mall. The One Ratchada Market is behind the mall. There is also a signboard at the market entrance, so if you walk along it, you will come to the market entrance as well.
MRT
Take Bangkok Metro to Thailand Cultural Centre station and take Exit 3. Walk left when you exit to the street and then take the next left side-lane before the mall to enter into The One Ratchada Night Market or walk into the shopping mall head to the back exit that leads to the night market.
Since the night market is located in the city center, where the traffic is often jammed, it is highly recommended to take MRT to get there faster.
Taxi
The easiest way to reach The One Ratchada is taking Bangkok Taxi directly from wherever you are, but it can come at a high cost. It is easier to tell the driver to take you to “Esplanade” as the night market is behind The Esplanade shopping mall on the busy Ratchadapisek Road.
Tips
If only you have time in Bangkok, The One Ratchada Night Market shouldn’t be the only market you visit as there are many other interesting markets in the city. What are the best ones? Check here: TOP 10 Best Markets in Bangkok.
Bangkok night markets are crowded spots so beware of pickpockets and pay attention to your wallet and phone.
Best hotels near The One Ratchada
Check out these hotels near The One Ratchada to save time and money when traveling around the bustling Bangkok: