Asiatique Riverfront Bangkok

Asiatique Riverfront in Bangkok, Thailand is one of the new shopping and lifestyle places located along the Chow Praya River here. Styled in multiple classic huge old warehouses, this place was formally known as the East Asiatic Company Limited which was one of the active trading warehouses in the colonial period supplying teak wood to the world. TCC Land Thailand obtained the entire warehouse area and converted it to become one of the trendiest lifestyle places in Bangkok to date. This shopping haven was also recently opened in early 2012 catering to both locals and foreigners. 

Asiatique Bangkok

With a total area of 28 acres, 12 acres have been currently utilized to house 1,500 shops and 40 restaurants and there is also a beautiful 300 meter long riverfront promenade along the famous Chao Praya River. The entire area is also divided into four main areas which are Charoenkrung District, Town Square District, Factory District and the Waterfront District where each has a specialty of its own. You will find all sorts of items being sold especially many local Thai home-grown products. Ever since the closure of Suan Lum Market in Bangkok in April 2012, Asiatique Riverside has been the place to visit as it is much more spacious, clean and carries a very large selection for shopping, food & beverage and entertainment.

Asiatique Riverfront Bangkok

Asiatique's unique location makes getting here fun as you can take the BTS train and then hop on the free ferry service offered by the outlet. There are a number of river ferries that take passengers from the jetty to the location with a scenic view of the Chow Praya. The journey one way takes about ten minutes. Upon arriving there, you will notice the beautiful riverside promenade where many locals are seen photographing or just walking around admiring the place. 

Shopping

Shopping here is something definitely worthwhile as there are about 1500 shops for you to go through which is no easy task if you ask me. Split into nine warehouses, each warehouse easily has about 150 shops with multiple alleys and lanes. Shops here sell all sorts of items like handicraft, decorative items, clothes, souvenirs, shoes, accessories to some of the oddest items. One of the districts here also offers over 500 fashion boutiques for the trendy. 

Food

There is one warehouse dedicated just to a local food court which carries a lot of the popular Thai dishes. Apart from this, one can choose from over 40 restaurants ranging from fast food, international food, and cafe style to fine dining. Cafes are abundance serving coffee and cakes while some there are some bars as well. Overall, a suggestion is to skip your meals and make your way here as visitors will definitely be spoiled for choices.

Asiatique Riverside

Entertainment

For those seeking some entertainment, there is the well-known Calypso Cabaret, Joe Louis Theatre Puppet Show and the Riverfront Pathway. Concerts have been planned for the year as the place offers 12,000 square meters dedicated to open air activities here. You can visit the official website for updates on this.

Chilling Out

Overall, visitors here will find that this lifestyle market is well balanced in all areas. Be prepared to spend at least a minimum of four to six hours here but it can easily extend to half a day if you are into the entire shopping and entertainment therapy. The riverside offers a nice scenic view of the Chow Praya River with Bangkok's high-rise skyline in the distance. Again, the sunset here is something worth waiting for provided that it is a clear day in Bangkok. 

Verdict

If you are visiting Bangkok and want to explore something new, I would recommend you make that trip to Asiatique Riverside as it is most definitely one of the interesting new lifestyle places. The marriage of colonial and modern brings this once forgotten place back to life catering to today's lifestyle demands. 

Free Bangkok ferry service

How to get here?

There are two main ways to get here. One would be the free ferry service offered by Asiatique along the Chao Praya River while the other would be via taxi or tuk tuk. Locals and tour buses seem to prefer the road while many others choose the scenic route as to challenging the famous Bangkok traffic which is the easiest way. 

• Take the BTS Sky Train to Saphan Train Station
• Walk down to Sathorm Pier and look for the Asiatique Ferry Jetty
• Board the Free ferry service to Asiatique. 
• Ferry Service is Free both ways

Where is Asiaqique in Bangkok?  
Asiatique Riverside
2194 Charoenkrung Road,
Wat Prayakrai District,
Bangkok 

Asiatique Market

Asiatique's opening hours are from 5pm till midnight daily. Note that on weekends, it tends to get crowded during the evenings so be well prepared. I would recommend you visit this place in the late morning or afternoon.  

For those planning a trip to Bangkok, you will find many other things to do there. If you love shopping, there are popular places like Chatuchak Market, Pratunam area and also the modern shopping malls around the city. Since Suan Lum Market is already closed, many of the traders have moved over to this new and exciting lifestyle place called Asiatique Riverfront in Bangkok, Thailand.