Markets
Bobae Market
Bobae Market is a bit like Pratunam — it's a huge garment market with wholesale prices! You must buy in bulk as that gives the best deals. And just like Pratunam, it has its own Saen Saep Express Boat pier, so it's easy to get to. The nearby Bobae Tower has 700 shops that sell the same clothes as on the market, but caters to those looking for single items. Prices are somewhat higher, but at least you are able to fit your buys in your suitcase! Not a lot of foreigners know about this place, though Russians seem to have found out about it as the Russian signs indicate.
Lang Krasuang
The name literally means "behind the Ministry" and refers to an area behind the Ministry of Defense on Atsadang Road, which runs along Lot Canal. On sale are military items such as uniforms, territorial defense student uniforms, shoes as well as travelling accessories like tents, sleeping bags and camping pots. There are shops selling musical instruments nearby.
Phra Chan Market
The is a small clothes market. Most t-shirts have a kind of postmodern pop-art style, which are popular with the local art students. There are also women clothes, sneakers, accessories and the like. For food, there are simple lunch restaurants inside the pier building, where you can sit right beside the Chao Phraya river for 50 baht a meal and water. These are mostly used by locals, so bring a phrasebook. A small indoor shopping area can be reached from Mahathat Road, where you can have an American or get some iced chocolate.
With all the glitzy shopping malls in Siam Square, shopping in Rattanakosin is more traditional. Like in Khao San Road, street markets are virtually everywhere, but those in Rattanakosin are more authentic. Sure, plenty of tourists roam around the area, but as most street markets are set up for the locals, a phrasebook might come in handy. Expect all day markets to close in the early evenings.
Carpentry and Wood Stores
The northern end of Boriphat Road is lined up with carpentry and wood stores. These are very skilled workers, just take a look at the detailed patterns they create in the wooden doors! Taking one home is probably stretching your airline's 20 kg baggage limit though.
Rachini Night Market
When dust kicks in, the night market at Rachini Road is set up. It starts around 6PM, but only gets interesting after 8PM. The market has been at the roads surrounding Sanam Luang for years, but was moved to its present location in 2010 when Sanam Luang was sealed off due to construction work. It's a bit like a flee market as locals put a blanket on the ground and wait for customers to buy their second-hand stuff. Expect toys, dolls, pets, shoes, bags, pants, mobile phone chargers, remotes, and other junk kept at the attic. All the sellers place lamps so it's easy to browse around.
Amulet markets
Bamrung Muang Road
The road to Wat Suthat has plenty of stores selling religious items. Awesome human-sized Buddha images are on sale here, but don't even think about bringing those on the plane! You can also get item-filled buckets here to donate to monks. These buckets contain daily necessities monks might need, such as soap, toothpaste, candles, etc. Be careful when shopping here as the road is lacking sidewalks!
Rattanakosin is the best place in Bangkok for buying amulets and other religious paraphernalia. These markets are among the most authentic ones, as they are meant for faithful Buddhist locals instead of masses of tourists.
Mahathat Amulet Market
If you're on a budget, the amulet market in front of Wat Mahathat might be a better option. Along the side of the road are dozens of vendors selling amulets, and you can get one for as cheap as 5 baht! Better looking amulets cost around 20-100 baht, or as much as you want to spend on it.
Wat Ratchanadda Buddha Center
Probably the largest amulet market of Bangkok with more than one hundred stalls selling everything a good Buddhist would need. You can find thousands of tiny Buddha images here, as well as Hindu figures, in all colors, shapes and sizes.
ban bat
During the alms ceremony in the morning, in which monks at their temple receive donations of the people, the monks usually carry big bowls for receiving the donations. These bowls are known as 'bat' and have been made by hand for centuries. As factories took over the production of these bowls, most of the communities that made a living of producing them have vanished.
An exception is Ban Bat, "Bowl Village", a small alley near Wat Suthat with a couple of families that still make a living with the handicraft of making these bowls. Don't think this is a very authentic experience though — locals don't buy these bowls and once an interested traveler walks in, it feels like hunting season has begun. Bowl producers will follow you even outside the Ban Bat compound. That's why Ban Bat can only be recommended for visitors who are actually interested in buying a bowl which costs a couple of thousand baht.