For a lot of people On Nut is simply the name of a terminus BTS station. For some, it also stirs up images of damp and crowded fresh markets where street food vendors come and stock up their supplies before heading out to work. But just recently, On Nut has become one of the most popular after-work destinations for young office girls to make a quick stop for funky clothes and bargain deals on shoes, accessories and food. No we’re not talking about the nearby Carrefour or Lotus superstores, we mean On Nut Square.
Located at the foot of the BTS’ staircase, this patch of wasteland, once used as a place for ngan wat and look thoong performances, has now been turned into a mini “Suan Lum Night Bazaar.” A new concrete floor has replaced the former mud and now accommodates the stilettos and pumps of city girls who make up 90% of the shoppers.
The starting point for your On Nut Square journey begins at the sidewalk. Handmade trinkets, faux-leather oversized bags and colorful suede wallets are laid out on the pavement. Just don’t rely on these street-side vendors to be there on every visit as they only show up when the tessakit aren’t looking.
Once inside the perimeter, start with the stalls toward the left wall of the market. This is where you can find Ad Seed (083-771-0093), whose unique tees (B150-350) are similar to the ones found in the hip Tha Prachan. If you’re looking for office-appropriate attire that won’t blend into Silom’s lunch hour, then Passadee (084-700-3700, 081-931-6169) offers Gossip Girl-inspired preppy dresses and blouses at very affordable prices (B350-800).
Deeper into the market, you’ll find endless rows of shoes, from low-quality plastic pumps to secondhand treasures. Check out the small shoe shop (083-906-0979), located near a Korean series booth, for their cloth flats (B259) worthy of any Japanese-housewife. If you don’t mind the pre-worn footwear, the secondhand corner towards the back of the market (081-487-0987) sells leather pumps and sneakers for around B250-1,000, depending on the material and condition.
Accessory lovers can also rejoice as there are numerous earrings, necklaces, bracelets and headband stalls scattered around the market. But, if you really want good deals on handmade accessories, check out the unnamed earrings booth (089-115-9908) next to Passadee where you can get three pairs of eccentric earrings for B50.
We’re not going to lie; there is plenty you can find at any Bangkok fashion market. But most of the mass-produced polyester shirts, B199 plastic shoes and Louis Vuitton knock-offs are situated at the center of the market, so it’s easy to avoid.
When it comes to nibbles, the sidewalk at the front of the market features rows of food stalls, selling everything from khao gaeng (B30) to chicken wings (B30 for 100g). If you don’t mind the annoying acoustic shows from rocker wannabes, take a seat at one of the white stools near The Love Milk‘s (081-632-1230, www.thelovemilk.com) cute pink van, where you can get your sweet fix of sugar toasts (B20) and chocolate milk shakes (B15).
On Nut Square. Sukhumvit Rd. (opposite Lotus On Nut). Open daily 4-10pm. BTS On Nut.
