ASIATIQUE, BANGKOK'S WORLD FAMOUS NIGHT MARKET, IS A TOURIST DESTINATION BY ITSELF. I VISIT ASIATIQUE RELIGIOUSLY AT LEAST TWICE OR THRICE DURING EACH TRIP TO BANGKOK AS I BELIEVE I WAS A THAI HAWKER IN MY PAST LIFE!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

IN THE 1900s UNDER KING CHUKALONGKORN, HANS ANDERSEN FROM DENMARK ESTABLISHED THE EAST ASIATIC COMPANY THAT GREW TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRADING COMPANIES.

IT IS LOCATED BY THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER AND THE PORT CEASED OPERATING IN 1947 AND SLOWLY FELL IN DISREPAIR. IN 2011 RAEL ESTATE COMPANY TCC LAND ANNOUNCED IT WOULD TAKE OVER AND RENOVATE IT TO BECOME ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT, A MASSIVE RETAIL, SHOPPING, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING COMPLEX.

TODAY, THE WAREHOUSES, STORAGE FACLITIES AND OFFICE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT. BANGKOK'S FOREMOST NIGHT BAZAAR THAT OPENS FROM 5 TO MIDNIGHT THOUGH THE OPERATING HOURS ARE 6 TO 11 PM AS THIS IS THE BUSIEST TIME AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE OPEN. 

THE 12 ACRE ASIATIQUE NOW BOASTS 1,200 SHOPS AND STALLS AND 40 RESTAURANTS, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SUCH ENDEAVOURS.

ASIATIQUE OPENED IN 2012 AND HAS INSTANTLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A NAJOR BANGKOK MUST-VISIT PLACES AND FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS! BARGAINING IS ALLOWED SO ENJOY!

PRETTY FOUNTAIN AT ONE OF THE ENTRANCES FROM THE ROAD AS THERE IS ANOTHER BY BOAT ON THE OTHER SIDE FACING CHAO PHRAYA RIVER.

ASIATIQUE IS THE LONG AWAITED REPLACEMENT TO SUAN LUM MARKET CLOSED IN 2010.

CHANGING HUES

TYPICAL PEDESTRAIN STREET

ONE OF 1,200 SHOPS

WATER TOWER

ONE IS NOT MADE OF BRONZE

CLOCK TOWER AND GIANT FERRIS WHEEL

BY THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER!

HARD LABOUR

MANUAL WORKERS HAD TO SLAVE LIKE THIS IN THE BAD OLD DAYS

200 FT FERRIS WHEEL

FISH MASSAGE