Talat Bobae and Talat Pa Hu Rat

Thailand is one of the largest powerful manufacturers of fine textiles in the world; they make a whole bunch of everyday things too. Thailand is also renowned for producing the finest silks in the world, with its iridescent, shimmering hues.

No trip to the fabled Kingdom of Siam should ever find the travelers silkless upon their homecoming; ergo no trip to Bangkok is complete without a visit to either Bobae or Pa Hu Rat markets.

Talat Bobae and the Bobae Tower (talat or talad – somewhere between the two, is the Thai word for market) make up what is probably the biggest wholesale textile market in Thailand, more textiles than even the sprawling Talat Thai.

It is a must see if only for a sense of the size of the textile market in Thailand. Between the outdoor market and the tower you can find everything from the most fine, handmade silks to mass produced factory defects making it an ideal destination for anyone interested in the possibility of trading or exporting Thai textiles. Learn more about tips on buying Thai silk.

There are also many vendors with other items such as jewelry, mostly wholesale. And since there are a large number of Muslim merchants in Talat Bobae there are countless carts and stalls piled high with all that fantastic halal flavor. Curries, seasoned rice, roti, the mindblowing pepper chickens, and THE DESSERTS!

The other must-see textile market is the Talat Pa Hu Rat, or Bangkok’s “Little India”. Many of the slick, smooth talking salesmen who line the streets of the areas heavily trafficked by tourists – “You dress smart, are you needing a new suit?” – call Pa Hu Rat home base. You can get wholesale fabrics and garments as well as the services of tailors and clothing manufacturers.

This is an excellent place to visit if you are interested in having a suit made or getting a few good looking shirts, or even if you’re planning to import custom made textiles.