The most serious collectors' market in Thailand, founded in 2010 by the antiques dealer Pairoj Roikaew and still run by his family.
The basics
Srinagarindra Soi 51, behind Seacon Square. Thursday to Sunday, 17:00 to 01:00. It does not open before five and it is at its best around nine.
MRT Yellow Line to Suan Luang Rama IX, about six minutes on foot. The Yellow Line made this market dramatically easier to reach and a lot of older guides still describe it as a taxi-only destination.
What's there
Bakelite radios, 1960s television sets, vinyl, vintage cameras, tin toys, cassette tapes, salvaged auto parts, film memorabilia, enamel signage, and the general contents of the Thai twentieth century.
Prices run from ฿100 for vinyl through ฿500–15,000 for cameras and radios to whatever the dealer thinks of you for the rare pieces.
Rod's Antiques
The rear factory building is a different market. Classic cars, American motorcycles, internationally sourced antique furniture, all considerably more expensive and reportedly guaranteed genuine. There is a coffee bar. Even if you are not buying at this level, walk through it — it is the best single room in Thai secondhand.
The atmosphere
Rotating Vespa and VW Beetle displays, tattoo parlours, barbers, bars. It is a night out as much as a market, which is why it works as the end of a long buying day rather than the start of one.
How to work it
Walk the whole thing once before buying. The good dealers are not at the front.
Bring a torch — literally. The lighting is atmospheric rather than useful and you cannot assess a camera or a record under a string of festoon bulbs.
Bring cash. Bargaining is expected but the dealers here know their prices; this is not Chatuchak and grinding over ฿100 will get you nowhere.
Nearby
Vinyl Die Hards, Srinakarin Soi 44 — used vinyl from ฿100 in large unsorted crates, open until eight. The natural warm-up while you wait for the market to open.