Nov 7, 2018 |
Applying for a Chinese visa in Bangkok could be smooth sailing. Or a total nightmare. That’s depending on where you’re getting your information from. Because I’m heading to Guangzhou (广州市), China to check out the 124th Canton Fair for business and to eat some dim sum.
Which means I’m going to have to get a China visa for my US passport. So like any average Joe looking for information about applying for a visa to visit China. And I was in Thailand at the time so I did a google search on how to get a Chinese visa in Bangkok.
I started reading blog comments and caught a glimpse of what to expect. And the glimpse I caught frankly caught me off guard.
According to this blogger, regular service takes 4 days. Which is normal and if you’ve done proper travel planning shouldn’t be an issue. But I also read it was possible that it could take a month to get back your passport and a tourist visa to China!
Applying for My First China Visa in Bangkok
In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, “Aye Caramba!” we were hoping it won’t take that long. My wife and I were applying for our Chinese travel visas two weeks before our scheduled flight departs for Guangzhou. And we already paid for our hotel in full with no refunds.
Then, I’ve been reading Mark Wien’s experience when he went to apply for his China tourist visa. His experience was more streamlined and uneventful. But it was the comments from his readers that got me nervous.
Bear in mind that his information and experience was posted in 2014. A lot of things could’ve changed in that time span. Which I found out did.
I read someone’s comment that he had to hand in a color copy of their passport. I always thought it was illegal to make photocopies of passports in color.
There’s just so much information out there about getting a China visa in Bangkok and I didn’t know who or what to believe. There were a mix of helpful information about the process. And there were some info out there to make oneself paranoid about the Chinese visa application process.
So like anything else I knew nothing about, I started with baby steps. First, I started off with something easy. Like check what time the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok opens.
The First Big Change
One thing my years of travel experience had taught me is you go to an embassy or consulate of the country you’re planning to visit to apply for a tourist visa.
So it would make sense that I would have to go to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, right?
Wrong!
Currently you cannot apply for a China Visa at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok. You have to go to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Thailand (CVASC) located inside an office building a few miles away from the Chinese Embassy.
Here’s the address for CVASC:
1550 Thanapoom Tower
5th Floor, New Phetchaburi Road
Makkasan, Bangkok, 10400
Business hours
Monday-Friday, Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Good thing I came across this bit of info. Otherwise I would’ve ended up at the front steps of the Chinese Embassy.
With my visa application in hand only to have guards pointing and laughing at me like the idiot I am.
Be Sure to Check Out CVASC Website
Next thing to do is to download the China visa application. And also find out what supporting documents are required for a US citizen staying in Thailand needs. Which I found on CVASC (website) a list of requirements for your specific visa purpose. For tourist the visa category is L.
Again, because I am going to China for business I needed to apply for the M category.
Even though you’re reading this and applying for a China tourist visa, the documents and procedure required which I listed below is 95.9% the same.
Click on that button to find requirements for all visa category
The CVASC website is cool. There is an online form, not a PDF version like the one that I used from China Embassy website. And, you can make an appointment too. Which had I known, I would’ve used the CVASC website exclusively.
You do not need to make an appointment before showing up.
Click on that button and you’ll see an online China visa. You can even make an appointment too
Getting Ready to go to China Visa Application Service Center
I didn’t use the CVASC online visa application form because I found out too late about it. Instead I used the this four page form I downloaded from Chinese Embassy in Thailand’s website.
Since it’s a PDF electronic form you can input your information directly in. And then print out and sign when completed.
Which is great because I’ve got horrible handwriting. There could be a few questions that could trip you up but I’ll highlight those later on. Make sure you put on the caps lock too while typing.
There are China visa application forms at the CVASC you can fill out with an old fashioned pen. But honestly printing out filled out forms beforehand is the smarter move.
Filling Out China Visa Application Form (V.2013)
Make Sure Your Visa Form is Filled Out Accurately
The visa form is straightforward with 5 sections with sub-sections. Chances are you won’t need to fill out all 5 sections in this China visa application.
There are just a few sections that might make you scratch your head though.
- Section 1.5 – This section you put in your current occupation. If you don’t see the listed description for yourself then just mark “other” and then write in specifically what you do. For me, I’m a business person so I checked marked that box. But that’s too vague. So the clerk personnel instructed me to check “Other ☑️” and write in specific occupation.
- Section 2.7 – This section is basically asking who’s paying for your trip. I just typed in “SELF FUNDED”.
- Section 2.6 – Here you get asked about your itinerary. I was just staying the entire week in Guangzhou. I just wrote on one line. For date “30-10-18 TO 05-11-18” and then for detailed address I just wrote in the address of the hotel I was staying at.
- Section 2.10 – This ones just an observation from myself. This section asks what other countries you’ve visited in the past 12 months. So I listed the countries I’ve been within 12 months and one of them was Taiwan. So if you don’t know by now, China and Taiwan are not so friendly towards each other. The clerk personnel who initially checked my visa form just taped over Taiwan with white out. So if you’ve been to Taiwan in the past 12 months, just leave it out.
Don’t forget to sign your China visa application form and date it.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Okay, so everyone reading this will probably have to bring different documents depending on their traveling situation.
Here’s my situation. I’m married to a Thai with a Non-Immigrant O visa based on Thai family. And my work is based in the USA. I’m heading to China on a business/tourism purpose.
Here’s a list of documents I brought with me for submission:
My Prepared Documents (You only need to hand in one set)
- Visa application (China visa application form)
- Two recent passport sized photos (size and requirements) Glue one photo on the area indicated on first page of visa application. The other photo will be clipped to your passport.
- Photo copy of passport photo page, Thailand entry stamp, Thai visa page
- Proof of residence in Thailand (Not necessary if you have a Thai Tourist Visa)
- Thai marriage certificate to prove I’m married to a Thai and the reason why I’m in Thailand (Also, don’t need this if you’re just a tourist in Thailand)
- Flight itinerary – Into China and out of China
- Hotel confirmation
- * Invitation letter from Canton Fair
- ** Letter of intent (What’s all this about? You’ll find out below)
- Recent bank statement
In Mark Wien’s blog post he stated Americans needed to hand in two sets of applications. I was only required to hand in one. I made an extra set, just to be safe. Again his blog post was made 4 years ago. In any case, the agency clerk took only one set from me.
There are copy machines and passport photo booths inside. I don’t remember how much they charge but just make your life easy and have all the copies and passport photos ready. Chances are, it’ll be cheaper to get all this done outside of the CVASC office.
* Letter of Intent
For #9 I mentioned letter of intent. This is a short letter you sign declaring what you’ll be doing in China. I didn’t even know I had to write this letter until I read this blogger’s post on getting a China visa in Bangkok.
Here’s what my letter of intent looked like:
To Whom it May Concern
My name is Warren Chan. I am a citizen of the United States with passport number ********. I have a Thai wife and currently staying in Thailand with a type “O” non immigrant visa based on marriage/family.
I would like to travel to Guangzhou China to attend the 124th Canton Fair and tourism with my wife. I have already pre-registered for attendance to Canton Fair and have included my invitation letter with my visa application.
I would like to stay in Guangzhou, China from October 30th, 2018 to November 5th, 2018.
Sincerely,
When you’re writing your own letter of intent just make it simple. My first letter of intent was long and too specific in detail. And I changed it to the one you see above.
** As my letter states I’m planning on attending the Canton Fair which upon registration I could download an invitation letter. Whenever you’re going to China for business if you can get an invitation letter from the company or factory you’re planning to visit make sure you get a letter from them so you can submit along with your China visa application. This is only needed if you’re applying for a China business visa.
If you know a Chinese citizen living in China and you’re planning to visit them, ask them to write a letter of invitation on your behalf. Same goes for education purpose, say for example if you want to study Chinese martial arts at an institution.
Going to Chinese Visa Application Service Center
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center is not an embassy nor a consulate. It’s just an agency operating on behalf of the Chinese government for processing and handling China visas. And they charge a service fee which you can see below on my receipt.
With my stack of documents organized like an anal retentive applicant I felt prepared for the worst.
The easiest way to reach Thanapoom Tower is by using the MRT subway train. The closest station is Petchaburi MRT station. Use Exit #2 and make a left turn when you’re outside. It’s a 700 meter walk, pass Saint Dominic’s School and Thailand Tourism Authority office building.
Remember the China visa application service office is on the 5th floor.
The front of the CVASC office, but the entrance is on the right with a metal detector…
Inside CVASC Office
During my research on submitting China visa applications in Bangkok I read a lot of blog posts and comments where people complained of long lines and long waits. However, there were also lots of comments saying it was a quick, easy and painless process.
I got inside 9:10am and there was a line but wasn’t that bad. There were 3 lines for individual applicants to queue up on. There were about 10 people ahead of us. So things went smoothly. But I can understand why this part of the process could be a slow going.
CVASC office in Bangkok
First of all from my sharp ears I could listen to the staff telling people they were missing documents. Or some parts of their visa forms were filled out incorrectly.
Also, there are a lot of Thai tour agencies handing in piles of China visa applications with Thai passports. Obviously this is for large Thai tour groups. So one messenger would bring in stacks and stacks of applications which would take time for Chinese visa agency staff to sort through.
But the office clerks went through the piles of Thai passports quickly as Thai travel agencies already know the document process and requirements.
Getting the Ticket Number
Okay, so the line my wife and I first queued up on is really where CSAVC clerks check your application to make sure you have all the necessary information filled out properly. And they take a look at your supporting documents.
The staff are all Thai. They can speak English but not fluently. From my short interactions with them they are sincere. They are there to really help out and offer suggestions to make your application as squeaky clean as possible. So your China visa application process goes smooth.
Ahead of us were a couple of young European travelers that were in line ahead of us. I overheard they did not have their paperwork together. From the looks of it they seemed frustrated. On their hands were only two China visa application forms. It didn’t look too good for them as they stepped off line.
Waiting to Be Called
Your number could come up quickly. Which happened in my case. Because I had to change my letter of intent a little under the advice of the CVASC staff who first looked at my papers. Luckily, I brought my laptop and made the corrections right on the spot.
But I needed to print it out. On the second floor there is a small convenience shop with a computer and printer. I emailed the letter to my email account and printed it off from there. It cost 15THB per print out.
Pay attention to these screens…
By the time I got back to the 5th floor my number had passed. No big deal. Just go back to the desk where you got the first ticket and let them know what happened. They’ll print you a new one.
There are television screens at the front with ticket numbers as well indications for which counter to go. There’s no automated voices announcing numbers. Just the sound of a bell whenever a new number is displayed. Which means you have to have your eyes glued to the screens when your number is almost up.
When your number does comes up head to the designated counter. And hand in your paper work to the nice clerks.
Here’s what documents were taken from me:
- Visa application
- Two recent passport sized photos (size and requirements)
- Photo copy of my passport photo page, entry stamp, Thai visa page
- Proof of residence in Thailand (again, you won’t need this if you’re on a Thai tourist visa)
- Thai marriage certificate (no, you do not have to marry a Thai to get a Chinese visa)
- Flight itinerary – Into China and out of China
Hotel confirmation- Invitation letter from Canton Fair (to prove I’m going to China for business)
- Letter of intent
Recent bank statement
The agency clerk went through our applications and it was pretty straight forward. We had all our papers ready and in order.
Only our hotel confirmation and bank statement copies were not needed and returned to us. I recommend bringing them anyways. Because you just never know.
Then we were given our receipts and because we chose regular service we were told to come back in 4 days. You pay the fee when you pick up your passport.
My China visa fee was 5060THB. If you think about it that’s a pricey visa fee. However USA charges Chinese citizens the same amount in US currency when they apply to visit USA. The CVASC clerk that handled my case recommended I get the 10 year multiple China entry visa.
Which made a lot of sense because it’s the same price as a single entry visa which I had initially marked on my visa form.
Everything was simple and easy for my experience. As long as you have all your papers in order the China visa process in Bangkok should be painless.
I was out of the CVASC office just a little over an hour. So didn’t take much time at all really.
Picking Up My Passport
4 days later I got back to the CVASC office. Passport pick up time is scheduled between 9am to 4pm. I got there about 1pm and the place looked quieter than the first time I went.
Perhaps, it’s best to go hand in visa applications in the afternoon time instead to beat the morning rush?
I went straight to the counter, with no line to wait and showed my receipt and got a ticket number. I plopped my ass down on one of the chairs and a few minutes later my number came up.
Notice the 467.29B service fee?
Went to the counter and handed in my receipt and paid my 5060B fee for my brand new Chinese visa. My wife has a Thai passport her fee is 1500B. I checked my passport with my brand new China visa and saw I had a 10 year expiration date. So that’s cool. Be sure to check that your name is spelled correctly and your passport numbers match before you leave the center.
My wife wasn’t with me this time but as long as I had her receipt I could pick it up for her. I spent no more than 10 minutes this time.
Smooth Sailing
Thankfully, everything went through without a hitch. I learned a few things about getting a Chinese visa in Bangkok to share with everyone here.
Granted I went for the business visa, I don’t think getting a tourist visa to visit China could be any much harder. Not that it was hard to begin with.
It’s not difficult at all as long as you have all your supporting documents with you, before you show up. That’s the main key. Also bring your laptop to make quick changes on your China visa application forms if necessary. There’s no internet access inside, but you can use your mobile phone to act as an internet hotspot.
With all the proper documents in hand you shouldn’t have any problems also while applying for a China visa in Bangkok whether you’re going as a tourist or for business.
Finally, if you’ve never been to Guangzhou before, check out my first ever travel experience in Guangzhou for some travel tips and advice.
Apr 14, 2018 |
JJ (Chatuchak) Weekend Market is such a popular area in Bangkok that I often get asked where the best budget hotels and hostels are located near one of the most famous shopping destinations in the city.
In this post, I’ll give you my picks of the best and well reviewed hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market that is also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok. I’ll also introduce a few popular boutique hotels near JJ Marke..
Also if you’re reading this and still don’t know where to stay in Bangkok I’ll point out some benefits and reasons why staying at a hostel or hotel near JJ Weekend Market is convenient and beneficial especially for first-time visitors to Bangkok.
5 Reasons to Stay at a Hotel or Hostel Near JJ Weekend Market
- JJ Weekend Market is still central Bangkok. Yet room rates for hotels and hostels are affordable with reasonable rates in that area. With surprisingly good quality hotels too.
- Because Bangkok is a growing city the area near JJ Weekend Market is changing in a good way. There are subway and train stations in the area with good places to check out.
- Like the name says, it’s a weekend market. So you can bet there will be hordes of tourists and locals alike heading to JJ Market. Which means packed trains and problems finding taxis. If your purpose is to explore the market it’s smart to book a hotel near JJ Weekend Market.
- Even if you’re not only in Bangkok to visit JJ Market there are plenty of shopping malls in the area like Central Lad Prao Mall, the One Park Mall, and Union Mall. There are more things to do around the than you’d think which I wrote about here.
- If you’re catching a flight out of Don Meung Airport (DMK), JJ Weekend Market area is just 14km away. Book a hotel around the vicinity of JJ Market and you’ll be close to the airport and still be able to explore Bangkok. Mo Chit Bus Terminal also called Northern Bus Terminal is also not far off either.
JJ Weekend Market is a great place to pick up cups and plates at reasonable prices…
3 Best Areas to Stay Near JJ Weekend Market in Bangkok
Here’s my list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market including names of hostels and hotels with good reviews and best location in order of preference. These select locations are in walking distance to the BTS Sky Train station.
- Ari – Hip and chic restaurants and boutique shops in this neighborhood.
- Saphan Kwai – Just a bit quieter and less hectic than Ari, Saphan Kwai is a quaint location.
- Mo Chit – So this station is closest to JJ Weekend Market. But there’s fewer hostels and hotels near Mo Chit except a few here that you’ll like.
1. Ari (อารีย์)
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $100USD
BTS Station: Ari
Why Stay in Ari: Hip and chic neighborhood in Bangkok perfect for the young or at least the young at heart.
Soi Ari or specifically Ari neighborhood is just south of JJ Market, just two Sky Train stops away. It’s busiest on Phahon Yothin Road but most of the hotels and hostels listed below are situated on the quiet areas of Ari where bars and small Western and Asian restaurants serving yuppie Thai clientele dine and drink.
Ari has a mix of budget and affordable hotels close to JJ Weekend Market. Many operate as hostels and boutique type properties that you will enjoy.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Ari BTS Station you’ll enjoy staying in.
Siamese Ratchakru – Check Rates
The Yard Hostel Bangkok – Check Rates
Abloom Exclusive Apartments – Check Rates
Lost and Found Hotel Ari – Check Rates
Bangkok’s Ari neighborhood is very busy, especially on weekends when most locals are on their day offs. But it’s relative proximity to JJ Weekend Market is the main reason why you’d want to stay in this area because it’s also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok.
2. Saphan Kwai (สะพานควาย)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $50USD
BTS Station: Saphan Kwai
Why Stay in Saphan Kwai: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Saphan Kwai is just one BTS Sky Train stop away from JJ Market and this area is an eclectic mix of old Bangkok and upcoming trendy fashion boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Saphan Kwai is an old school neighborhood popularly known for its street food however so you can’t go hungry or overspend on food in this area.
Saphan Kwai neighborhood is not as busy compared to Ari. So if you’re looking for a hotel or hostel in Bangkok that isn’t in such a busy area, yet close to JJ Weekend Market then you should focus on this neighborhood.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Saphan Kwai BTS Station to consider:
Boutique Poo Yai – Check Rates
Every Day Sunday Social Hostel – Check Rates
Le Bonheur Poshtel Bangkok – Check Rates
Siamhubbiz Hostel Bangkok – Check Rates
Saphan Khwai area hotels and hostels are much more affordable as you will see. Many affordable hostels perfect for budget travelers looking for a clean hotel near JJ Weekend Market and the Saphan Kwai BTS station.
3. Mo Chit (หมอชิต)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $55USD
BTS Station: Mo Chit
MRT Station: Chatuchak
Why Stay in Mo Chit: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Mo Chit is where JJ Weekend Market is located. So if you choose any of the hotels listed below you’ll be very near one of the world’s most famous weekend market. This neighborhood is at it’s busiest on the weekends however. Mo Chit is where you’ll find the most budget hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
During the weekdays when the market is closed it’ll be quiet. However, there’s a big mall near JJ Weekend Market called Central Lad Prao and Union Mall, which is only one station away on the MRT Chatuchak Station.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Mo Chit BTS Station to consider:
Ease Hostel Bangkok – Check Rates
Tobacco One Hotel – Check Rates
Bed to Bangkok – Check Rates
Ora Hostel Bangkok – Check Rates
In general Mo Chit area is more quiet with less to do in the immediate JJ Weekend Market surroundings. It’s also the reason I place Mo Chit #3 on this list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market. Mo Chit also has the most amount of budget hostels and hotels out of the three areas listed here.
So if you’re visiting Bangkok during the weekend and would like to stay near Don Meung airport to catch a flight then Mo Chit area is the area to stay in Bangkok during your visit.
The Takeaway
Ari, Saphan Kwai, and Mo Chit are the three best areas near JJ Weekend Market with very good budget hostels and affordable 2 and 3-star hotels. If your goal is to spend a lot of time at over at JJ Weekend Market I don’t recommend staying in an area too far away, like Khao San Road for example just to save some money by staying in cheaper guesthouses found in that area.
It doesn’t make sense to spend money on round trip taxi rides at a neighborhood further away when there are perfectly affordable hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
Mar 28, 2018 |
Guide on Things to Do Around Chatuchak Weekend Market You Might’ve Never Known About
If you’ve visited Chatuchak Weekend Market (a.k.a Jatujak also JJ Market จตุจักร) more than a few times you’ve probably become too familiar with one of Bangkok’s most famous shopping attraction. And by now, maybe it’s boring.
That’s why I listed 5 points of interest that are near and around Chatuchak Weekend Market you might find new and interesting.
A lot of my friends that frequently visit Chatuchak all think that the market is only good for buying cheap clothes and tchotchke souvenirs. There are over 15,000 stalls opened on weekends so it’s kind of hard to leave Bangkok’s largest flea market with your hands void of plastic bags stuffed with Thai souvenirs.
But there’s a whole lot more than t-shirts and throw away hats and sunglasses at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Or this little hip and chic spot right inside JJ Market I wrote about here.
Did you know Chatuchak has the largest aquarium fish market open 7 days a week?
Admit it, even if you’re not an aquarium hobbyist you did learn something new today. Just a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market there’s also an area where you can find Thai hand made items to decorate your home.
And skip the food sold inside Chatuchak Weekend Market and head to Aor Tor Gor Market, where you can buy the best durian in Bangkok just a short distance away.
Places to Visit Close to Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Aor Tor Gor Market
- Browsing for Furniture and Home Decoration
- Largest Aquarium Live Fish Market in Bangkok
- Get a Manicure and Pedicure with Nail Art
- JJ Green Night Market
JJ Green Night Market -One of the easiest night markets to travel to Bangkok…
Even though I’m very familiar with Chatuchak Weekend Market due to the fact that I’m always playing tour guide for my visiting friends and family. I always try to find alternative areas around Chatuchak to show my friends.
And I’m more than happy to share it here! First off is a place I highly recommend and it’s my go-to place for good authentic Thai food and the freshest fruit this side of Bangkok at Aor Tor Gor Market.
1. Aor Tor Gor Market (ตลาด อ.ต.ก.)
Through the years Aor Tor Gor Market which is super close to Chatuchak Weekend Market, by the way, is making a name for itself today. This is the market Thai locals go for good eats and the freshest but pricey fruit year round.
The real reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the food. The second reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the variety of fruit.
There’s a food court section with tables to enjoy our lunch but afternoon times when the lunch crowd hits it’ll be hard to find empty chairs and tables.
After scarfing down some delicious Thai food you’re going to want to walk off those calories. How about some furniture shopping? Anyone up for some antiquing?
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm (every day)
Location: Kamphaengphet Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Exit #3 is the nearest to Aor Tor Gor.
2. Furniture and Home Decoration
One would easily think Chatuchak Weekend Market was created specifically for foreign visitors. But no, this popular market has local roots and a place for local Thais to hang out, shop and eat. Which is why you’ll find lots of furniture shops from modern to vintage.
Many expats including myself and local Thais can find stylish furniture and home decor near the surroundings of Chatuchak Weekend Market. Personally, I’m not into antiquing but if buying old things floats your boat you’ll want to wander around this area for some items to stick in your abode.
Whatever you can’t carry with you on the plane there are many shipping companies located in the area ready to help you arrange shipping from boxing to packing and delivery.
Now that you know where to find furniture and home decorations, how about having a pet fish with an aquarium to go along with your brand new home decor?
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (every day though most shops open Friday to Sunday)
Location: Kamphaengphet Road, between Chatuchak Weekend Market and JJ Mall
Best Way to Get There: Kamphaeng Phet – Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Head out from Exit #2 walk straight up Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road and head 300 meters before JJ Mall.
3. Browsing the Largest Aquarium Fish Market in Bangkok
For the hobby aquarist at heart, you’ll find one of the largest aquarium supply centers in Bangkok right by Chatuchak Weekend Market. Thailand is one of the biggest exporters of tropical fish in the world.
From freshwater and saltwater fish to aquatic plants. You’ll even find supplies to set up your home aquarium at reasonable prices. Even if you’re not ready to buy and take home it’s quite nice to just take a walk through and enjoy the beautiful aquarium designs.
Lots of aquatic hobby products are produced in Thailand. Which means the cost is lower. Most countries even allow transporting live fish as carry on. As long as it doesn’t exceed the liquid allowance on certain flights to certain countries.
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (everyday)
Best Way to Get There: Best to take a taxi to Kamphaengphet 4 Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market
4. Get a Manicure and Pedicure with Nail Art
Glam up your nails before heading back home or the night out in Bangkok…
There’s a very popular and affordable little nail salon near Chatuchak Weekend Market called Glamour Girls Nail Salon. I wrote a review post about them here.
After a long day of checking out those areas why not drop by for a bit of nail therapy. They also provide spa manicures and spa pedicures services. But Glamour Girls Nail Salon are best known for acrylic extensions and nail art service in Bangkok near JJ Weekend Market.
After getting your nails glammed up at Glamour Girls, why not head over to one of Bangkok’s popular night markets that is easy to get to, which is JJ Green Night Market.
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm (every day)
Location: The One Park Mall Bangkok opposite from Union Mall.
Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT train to Phahon Yothin Station and head out from Exit#3
Website: http://www.glamourgirlsnailsalon.com/
5. JJ Green Night Market **(Closed Indefinitely)**
One of the easiest night markets to visit right within Bangkok near Chatuchak Weekend Market…
(Update February 2020 – I know that this night market is super popular. Currently it has moved to a different location in Bangkok’s Laksi district and renamed as JJ Green 2 Night Market)
Open Thursday to Sundays, JJ Green Night Market is at its peak busiest on weekends from 6 pm to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest though, especially during long holiday weekends.
Located a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market it’s a smaller market but has an enjoyable ambiance at night. There are bars and pubs also which sometimes open past midnight.
Also, a good place to buy local Thai made products like clothes designed by Thais. It’s also a popular area to scope out second-hand items at reasonable prices. And of course, you’ll find cheap sunglasses and hats.
Lots of snacks can be found at JJ Green Market too but if you love seafood I recommend going to Koongtung (กุ้งถัง ). It’s seafood boil style with fresh shrimps, clams and crabs. If you can’t handle spicy they have different levels you can order.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Address: เลขที่ 1 ถนนกำแพงเพชร 3, แขวงจตุจักร, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Best Way to Get There: Even though there is an MRT (Chatuchak) and BTS (Mo Chit) stations nearby, JJ Green Night Market is a little bit deep inside Chatuchak Park. So best to take a taxi.
The Takeaway
Chatuchak Weekend Market is like an institution in Bangkok. The area surrounding Chatuchak is growing with more businesses especially with the new BTS train lines being constructed around the area. Which means more people will be able to travel to Chatuchak easily.
With all the progress and more visitors means more shops and businesses opening up in the neighborhood. And I wouldn’t be surprised if one day you took a walk around Chatuchak Weekend Market and discovered something new for yourself.
Feb 13, 2018 |
Ratchada Bangkok – The Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for 24 Hour Cafés and Food
Not too long ago I wrote a post on the best areas to stay in Bangkok for first time visitors here. In this post I’ll point out which is the best area in Bangkok to stay for the night owls.
You know the type. They sleep during the day and go out when the suns down. Or you’re simply an insomniac or a writer with the late night inspiration looking to bang out that novel until sun up. What ever the reason I’m going to show you the best area in Bangkok for hanging out all night.
Luckily certain areas of central Bangkok is becoming night owl friendly. By that I mean there are plenty of 24 hour cafés and eateries to hang out in complete with free Wi-Fi and use of power ports. A full proper 24 hour supermarket. And of course the old stand by 7 Elevens which are always a plenty and reliable for quick late night munchies.
The best area in my opinion for tourists that plan on staying out all night and looking to stay in Bangkok for short and long term is called Ratchada.
Ratchada (Ratchadapisik Road) is a long stretch of road and is considered one of the main avenues in central Bangkok. So there are many hotels for all budgets including affordable condo and apartment rentals in the area.
3 Reasons Why Ratchada is the Perfect Area to Stay in Bangkok for the Night Owls (and Also First Time Visitors to Bangkok)
- Three MRT stations are right in the heart of the busiest areas of Ratchada 1) MRT Huai Kwang 2) MRT Thailand Cultural Centre 3) MRT Phra Ram 9
- Ratchada has the most concentration of 24 hour cafés and restaurants, particularly inside a mall called The Street. There are a few malls, big supermarkets and a very popular night market near MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station.
- Lots of affordable hotels are in Ratchada that are really good for sightseeing in Bangkok.
The most 24 hour cafés and fast food restaurants can be found at The Street Mall on Ratchada Road…
The Street Ratchada Shopping Mall
The Street Shopping Mall is located on a busy intersection of Ratchada Road. This is the perfect mall for anyone visiting Bangkok and planning on staying up all night. If you’ve got a bunch of friends that love staying past midnight too than you’ll love this mall even more because the cafés inside, particularly Starbucks has huge tables and lounge space. There are electrical ports and free Wi-Fi too.
Only the basement level and ground level shops are open 24 hours. The shops on the upper levels have normal opening and closing hours.
This little outdoor bar near the side of the The Street Mall closes past midnight, sometimes…
If caffeine is not your thing then there’s a small outdoor bar right by the side of The Street Mall. Not a bad place to get some beers and chill out through the night when it’s a little cooler.
The upper floors have shops with clothes, an IT and mobile phone section and even more restaurants on the upper levels, but as I mentioned already only the basement and ground level shops are open 24 hours.
On the basement level there’s also Foodland Supermarket with a fast food restaurant also open 24 hours.
Best Way to Get to The Street Mall – The Street Shopping Mall is just a few minutes walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT subway station, just be sure head out from Exit#4
Website: http://www.thestreetratchada.com/
All the 24 hour cafés and restaurants at the Street Mall are located on the ground and basement level…
Plus You’re Not Far From Huay Kwang Either…
Huay Kwang is also another popular local neighborhood which Ratchadapisek Road cuts right through. Huay Kwang is famous for it’s food scene, particularly street food hawkers and seafood restaurants. It’s where locals go to grab some good eats although prices at restaurants and hawker stands are more expensive it still manages attract locals living nearby and afar.
Huay Kwang is also an ideal location for budget travelers because there are many hotels with reasonable rates in the neighborhood with a MRT subway station. Check out a list of Huay Kwang hotels here.
You can walk from The Street Shopping Mall to Huay Kwang in 10 minutes. Check out my short little post on Huay Kwang and find out where I go to enjoy some awesome street food.
The New Rot Fai Market Ratchada – Just Another Reason Why You’ll Love to Stay in This Area
The New Rot Fai Market Ratchada – Rot Fai in Thai means train. But, there’s no trains. No worries, just go there and have fun. New Rot Fai Market Ratchada is perhaps one of Bangkok’s easiest to reach night markets. It’s just behind Esplanade Mall and you can get there by taking the subway train to Thailand Cultural Center MRT Station. Be sure to get out from Exit #3.
New Rot Fai Market is very popular with Thai locals but because its so easy to find many foreign visitors make it a must visit.
There’s lots of food from traditional and regional Thai to Asian, Western and European foods and desserts. And since it’s a market you won’t be hard pressed to find second hand items like clothes and shoes. But of course you’ll find new items as well.
Lots of bars line this market too so not a bad place to start the night out because New Rot Fai Market opens from 5pm to Midnight only from Thursday to Sunday.
The Takeaway
Ratchada Bangkok is quickly becoming one of the city’s best hang out spots for locals due to the amount of 24 hour businesses in central Bangkok. Plus it’s not far at all from Huay Kwang, another night owl hangout for Thai locals.
And because there are 3 MRT stations within Ratchada it’s also a prime location which means if you pick a hotel in this area you’ll have easy access to exploring other areas in Bangkok, like Sukhumvit, Chid Lom and Silom.
Take it from me, as a guy living here for so many years I’ve seen Ratchada grow from quiet empty plots of land to a revitalized commercial center filled with restaurants and condos.
Ratchada, is a great area for any visitors to Bangkok looking to hang out in Bangkok all night. It’s also a very good area for first time visitors to Bangkok looking for a hotel or to hang their suitcases.
Jul 30, 2016 |
If You’re Looking for Products to Buy and Sell Home, Go to Sampeng Market in Bangkok…
I enjoy reading blogs about living in Thailand. And I’ve come across some very interesting posts about how tourists can make money while traveling around Thailand.
But (and there always is a but) it’s not going to be easy. If it was, everyone would be doing it. However, there are frequent visitors to Thailand who do this for a living and do well.
One of the ways you can earn some cash from your travels around Thailand is by purchasing products that you can sell back home. Let’s face it, lots of stuff these days are made and produced from factories all over Southeast Asia. Even things from China end up in Sampeng at reasonable costs.
It’s a fact that many foreign travelers in Thailand buy all sorts of odds and ends with the purpose of resale back in their home country. It’s certainly not a new and modern concept. Think about Marco Polo and the Silk Road. Except you get to fly back home with suit cases full of goodies minus the horse and camel caravans.
3 Tips on Maximizing Your Profits on Buy and Selling Thai Products
- Buy made in Thailand products for maximum profits.
- Thai silk scarfs, flip flops, sandals and jewelry are just a few examples of high profit products manufactured in Thailand.
- Focus on small items that yields a high profit margin. This way you can pack more into your luggage.
Where’s Sampeng and Why’s it So Special…
Sampeng Market is located right in Bangkok’s Chinatown on Soi Wanit 1. This is a long lane running about 400 meters up. But Sampeng Market itself is wide spread and encompasses northeast of Yaowarat Road which is Chinatown’s main avenue. In this area you’ll mostly find clothing including women’s shoes, hand bags, flip flops, towels, cosmetics beauty accessories and a lot more.
You’ll even find some electronics, audio components such as headphones, portable bluetooth speakers, portable battery chargers, selfie sticks and memory cards.
Then there is Sampeng Lane which is really just an extension of Sampeng Market. Although Sampeng Lane is mostly a wholesale fabrics market you can find the same items and accessories as Sampeng Market. Sampeng Lane is quite narrow and it can get claustrophobic especially in the mornings and weekends.
Sampeng has a deep historical significance with many Thai business owners with Chinese roots. Many of the business owners can speak Mandarin and retained their connections with mainland Chinese relatives.
When you walk around Sampeng Market and Sampeng Lane you will see a lot of really old buildings with signs that have Chinese characters. Many of the buildings have been renovated though look the same as when they were built back in the 1900s. Walking around the area after hours you can’t help but feel like you’ve been teleported back in time. Or at least to China.
The more you buy the lower the cost…
When it comes to Bangkok’s tourist market scene, Sampeng is not as big as Chatuchak Weekend Market or as famous.
However, many of the items, hand made goods and Chinese made products you find at Chatuchak probably passed through Sampeng, which is one of the most well known wholesale market in all of Bangkok.
Sampeng Hours of Operation and Best Time to Visit
Sampeng, both the Market and Lane opens early though there is no definitive set hours. It’s not a mall after all. Each and every shop have their own hours but it’s safe to say most shops open around 6am. Closing times vary as well but it’s safe to say most shops close around 7pm to 8pm.
A majority of stores and shops in Sampeng open 7 days a week though some shops like wholesale shoe stores close on Sundays. I have seen shops close during the Chinese Lunar New Years. Which makes a lot of sense since many shops are operated by Thai Chinese.
For me, the best time to visit Sampeng is before afternoon when the sun gets too hot. However, it’s packed pretty much throughout the day. Many Thai locals that purchase their inventory at Sampeng are just as wise and get there early to replenish their shop inventory while avoiding the hot and humid afternoon temperature.
Some shops though have air conditioning. And if you feel a bit over heated, don’t be shy, step into a shop with air conditioning and browse around.
Plenty of water, fresh fruit and fruit juice vendors are all over so there’s no reason not to get your fluids and stay hydrated. Might be a good idea to carry a hand towel too.
Making Money from Products Bought in Sampeng Market
One of the most convenient ways for tourists to make some cash profits is buying goods from one of the many wholesale markets found in Thailand and selling them back home. Bangkok is the city where you can find locally made Thai products and even products imported from China.
Sampeng Market located in Bangkok’s Chinatown is one area I think is the best place to find products and goods sold at wholesale prices.
Earrings and other inexpensive bling are not expensive at Sampeng when purchased in bulk…
Of course if you’re coming to Thailand for vacation you can’t really buy big and large ticket items like teak coffee tables. Good luck shoving one of those in your check in luggage.
Keep an Eye Out for Made in Thailand Products
Here’s the biggest and best advice I can give you and that is if you want maximum profits you should buy made in Thailand products.
Due to Thailand’s abundant natural resources that can be repurposed to make handmade goods as well as relative cheap labor, you’ll be surprised to find decent quality products that you can resell for a hefty profit margin.
For example I found Thai handmade flip flops made with Thai rubber with nice designs with good quality materials. Plenty of handmade jewelry like the ones mentioned below are also items of high profitability. Be on the lookout for small portable items that you can stuff into your luggage.
Small packable items that can yield maximum profits is what you should be focused on!
Sampeng Market is a Tchotchke Paradise
You’ll want to sell small ticket items, simple baubles and tchotchke. Stuff that fits neatly in your checked or carry on baggage. And Sampeng Market is just the right place to go for that.
The most popular items are inexpensive bead jewelry…
A Very Small Sampling of What You’ll Find in Sampeng Market:
- Wrist Watches
- Inexpensive Jewelry (beads, rings, ear rings, bracelets and necklaces etc…)
- Non – Brand Name Women’s Cosmetics
- Keychains
- Cell Phone Cases
- Hand Bags
- Men, Women and Children Clothes
- Tools
- Small Electronics Accessories
- House Hold Items
The first 5 listed items you can squeeze in to your luggage. There are many more items and products such as large rolls of fabrics and common plastic household goods sold in Sampeng too. But your goal is to find something small which you can sell at least 3x to 5x the cost and fits in your luggage.
Now I say it’s convenient to find items to sell. But I will tell you up front it won’t be easy to sell things online these days unless you have a physical shop location back home already or have a running profitable E-Commerce website or some other online selling presence such as eBay and Etsy etc.
But if you’re into selling at flea markets then you could do okay. You could also be a lot smarter than me and perhaps have better ideas on how to unload the goods for maximum profit.
Jewelry Items Found in Sampeng is Also the Best Product to Sell
The best product to buy from Sampeng in my most humble opinion is jewelry. You can find all sorts of inexpensive jewelry from real silver necklaces to rhodium or nickel plated ear rings and bracelets. I couldn’t really get photos of those kinds of jewelry and I tried but the owners don’t like having strangers taking photos of their products.
But you don’t have to buy precious metals like silver. You can buy beads and stones and even sea shell type jewelry. You can even find jewelry made from coconuts and other sorts of eco-friendly materials courtesy of mother nature.
I wanted to take some photos of such items but again, shop owners are quite strict when it comes to taking photos of their products.
But I plucked out some photos I found on eBay of inexpensive beaded necklaces you can find at Sampeng’s many shops.
The ones pictured above are listed for sale at around $20USD but at Sampeng you can buy them for around $4USD to $5USD each. Because Sampeng is one of Bangkok’s most popular wholesale market the more you purchase the more the cost per piece drops down. The more you buy the bigger the discount you get.
Wristwatches are Also Good Products to Sell…
Walk around Sampeng’s lanes and you will find many wristwatch shops with tons of variety and styles of watches. The degree of quality on wrist watches is something you should really examine while you’re at those shops. Now I don’t know anything about watches but I do know a few Thai locals who purchase wrist watches from Sampeng to be resold in their home towns outside of Bangkok. And they say the quality is decent. But then again they know about watches.
“I recommend buying cheap kid’s watches with cartoons. If it’s sold cheap enough usually parents won’t complain if it breaks or even if their child loses it.”
We all know how expensive eye glass frames are. At Sampeng you can buy boat loads and sell them back in your home country…
And from what they tell me it is best to stay away from watches that are too cheap and by cheap I mean by price. If you find watches in mid range prices those are probably the ones that are better in quality.
As I said I don’t know much about wristwatch quality and craftsmanship but not buying adult watches that are dirt cheap in prices is sound advice.
Sunglasses and Other Fashion Accessories are Good Too…
My suggestion in choosing products to sell from Sampeng is to figure out what would most likely sell in your local area. For example I know a guy from Florida and every time he visits Thailand he always brings back suit cases full of cheap sunglasses, baseball caps and beach hats back home.
He then sells everything at flea markets, to friends and even on eBay. It won’t make him rich but what he did sell the proceeds made up for half of his purchased plane ticket. And that’s not bad.
Figuring out what to sell is also one of the most difficult part of doing this sort of business. But picking the right and proper product for your locality could make selling just a bit easier.
How Much Money You’ll Need and How Much Money You Could Make (Possibly)…
This post is not a how to get rich quick type of blog post. Nothing comes easy especially when you’re selling inexpensive wristwatches, sunglasses and other knick knacks for the very first time. Plus you’ll be competing against every other guy and gal selling the same products either online or at local flea markets. And of course you’ll need money to make money.
I have asked around friends and acquaintances on how much they recommend for a purchasing budget. And the general consensus is $500USD minimum. Which equates to 15000THB (as of writing) and that is a decent budget.
Sampeng is definitely one market you need to haggle and bargain in. The better price you get the healthier your profit margin will be. I also recommend if a certain price does not fit your budget then don’t feel pressured to buy. Move on and find another shop selling the same products. You might get lucky and get a better price somewhere else in Sampeng.
Many Thai locals buy bulk from Sampeng for resale either in a physical store location and even on their personel Facebook account…
Few Tips as a Buyer at Sampeng Market
Focus on One or Two Items:
As I already mentioned, think about what would be the easiest for you to sell. If the area you live in has a flea market that is visited by many children then maybe buying a bunch of Hello Kitty items or inexpensive kid’s watches with current and popular cartoon themes would be a good idea.
All sorts of Hello Kitty items are sold in Sampeng Lane…
Don’t buy a bunch of odds and ends simply because you think they would all sell. If you want to sell Hello Kitty items it might not be a good idea to sell screw driver sets and headphones next to it. Focusing on a few items within the same product category makes it easier to keep track of inventory too.
Build Rapport with Shop Owners
Many shop owners or at least shop staff can speak some English or they’ll find some way to communicate. But a calculator is the best translator and they always have one available. One of the best ways to get a better discount or preferential treatment is to deal with the same vendor. A lot of shops carry the same products at about the same wholesale prices.
Not all the folks inside these shops will be over-friendly. That’s just their style and because you’re not the only customer they have to deal with. Because there are so many wholesalers in Sampeng you’ll find at least one you can form a good business relationship with.
Remember, if you travel to Thailand often and plan on bringing back products to sell, it’s a good idea to start building relationships with Sampeng’s shop vendors…
Shops love repeat buyers though. Ask for their names and remember their faces. Smile and be polite. Learn a few Thai phrases and speaking just a little bit of Thai can go a long way.
You can build rapport by going to a shop and make a purchase at a price that is reasonable to you the first day. Then, go back the next day and purchase some more. You might get a better price. But of course this only makes sense when time permits.
And this also only makes sense if you’re planning on becoming a repeat traveler to Thailand.
It won’t make you rich but it could be fun…
Remember, this Won’t Make You Rich…
Buying all sorts of products from Sampeng Market in Bangkok and selling them back home is not for everyone. The act of “selling” is not for everyone. You’d probably have to be an extrovert and being a natural sales person doesn’t hurt.
And it won’t take the place of a full time job if you’ve got one. Most casual travelers I’ve come across in Thailand that do this type of business sell on weekends with full time jobs during the weekdays. It’s just one way to supplement their income and save up for a return trip to Thailand.
