Arjun Khanna knows where to find the best vintage denim in Bangkok

Arjun Khanna has always been a collector. Walk into his boutique in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, and you immediately get the sense that you’ve fallen into a vintage wonderland—there are barbershop chairs, a wall of cameras, military memorabilia, even an old scooter. But the heroes are still the clothes—precision-cut sherwanis, upcycled army jackets, denim shirts and kurtas, and, of course, his latest collection ‘Tiger Dragon & The Samurai’, made up of bundi jackets and bandhgalas with colourful Japan-inspired embroidery accents. The designer started his career over 30 years ago after studying at the London College of Fashion. Since then he’s dressed everyone from Ranbir Kapoor to The Nod cover star Aditya Roy Kapur. These days he spends as much time designing as he does collecting vintage clothing, taking photographs, and riding his bike around the country. An inveterate traveller, one of the cities he visits most often is Bangkok, an increasingly popular hub for those hunting down the best Japanese denim or just looking to discover a new, niche brand. Here, Khanna shares a discerning shopper’s guide to the Thai capital that’s perfect for fellow aesthetes.

For fashionable bargains

Chatuchak weekend market

“Firmly established on the tourist trail, it’s no longer a secret, but Chatuchak market has an impressive selection of stalls offering everything from garments, interiors, and kitchenware to bric-a-brac and a food court. It’s a treasure trove for affordable denim pieces, Americana vintage, and old cowboy boots. I recently stumbled across a pair of Rick Owens x Converse sneakers that were in mint condition. The market lanes are narrow and it does get rather crowded and hot, especially in the afternoons, so mornings are the best time to visit.”

The best vintage and thrift stores

(un)Fashion, Ekkamai

“Combining two of my passions—coffee and vintage—(un)Fashion is located in the trendy Ekkamai neighbourhood. It’s a small space dedicated to vintage goods, with a focus on Japanese denim and a vast selection of cowboy boots. The team recently opened a much bigger second location in the buzzing shopping district behind EmQuartier in nearby Phrom Phong.”

The Red Building, Bangsue Junction, Chatuchak

Another firm fixture for vintage shoppers, located directly across Chatuchak market, The Red Building is spread across five floors. The lower floors are dedicated to old furniture and collectibles, including old typewriters and radios, objects, toys, furniture, and signage. The three upper floors are a paradise for those seeking vintage denim, varsity jackets, original military coats, and accessories. Prices can be on the higher side, so come with your best negotiation skills!

Ragtag, One Bangkok

A recent addition to the Bangkok scene, Ragtag is one of the biggest designer consignment stores from Japan. Expect to find a well-curated mix of brands, from streetwear icons such as Off-White and Supreme to luxury brands like Issey Miyake, Comme des Garçons, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, and more.

For the streetwear addict

Pronto Original

Across multiple locations in the city, Pronto Original carries an extremely curated selection of the most revered denim brands, specifically from Japan but also increasingly from around the world. I am very proud to have launched AKOG—an exciting new brand dedicated to denim, which I have been working on for some time—exclusively at Pronto Original.

Club Luminaries, Ari

Nestling in the lanes of trendy Ari, a district inhabited by Bangkok’s hip and creative set, Club Luminaries combines two of my favourites—Japanese denim and Americana. I am particularly obsessed with denim brand CRT, which hails from Kojima in Okayama Prefecture, often dubbed Japan’s denim capital. The brand uses only the best raw materials and adheres to Okayama’s traditional processes for denim production. I also like to stock up on Asahi sneakers, another Japanese brand that takes inspiration from American navy footwear from the 1970s.

Carnival

What started as a small Converse store in 2010 has rapidly grown into one of the most well-stocked retailers for sneaker aficionados. Established names such as Vans, New Balance, Nike, and Onitsuka Tiger mingle with more obscure brands—Mizuno (Japan), Norda (Canada), Hoka (France), and many more.

Traditional handicrafts and antiques

965bkk, Talat Noi

Set in a 200-year-old Chinese merchant house, 965bkk now houses a cafe, a small boutique, and an art and community space. With a number of small rooms, vintage furniture, and a plant-filled courtyard, it’s a voyage back in time. Take your time browsing the display cases focusing on local brands championing artisanal skills.

Blue Wild Warehouse, Bang Na

Situated on the outskirts south-west of the city, Blue Wild Warehouse is an industrial space filled with mid-century collectibles, like the Togo sofa that was originally designed by Michel Ducaroy in the 1970s. Other gems I have seen are the Emeco X Philippe Starck armchairs, industrial desk lamps, Eames chairs by Hermann Miller, and fun, kitsch objects such as a rattan palm-tree-shaped lamp.

Discover a new designer

Fri27Nov, Siam Center

A brand favoured by the young and cool set in Bangkok, at Fri27Nov founder Chanachai Jareeyathana loves splattering paint on jeans or adding cording to his oversized summer blazers. He might even let you do it yourself if you visit him in the store. Pieces are limited in number, often only one piece per size, or they’re one-off creations, but everything is made in Thailand.

Nong Rak, Silom

Founded by a Thai-American couple, Nong Rak’s ethos is centered around slow fashion, using handwoven Thai silks, organic cotton, mohair, and deadstock yarns. The brand has garnered a following for its eclectic knitwear—picture fuzzy mohair knits and crumpled silks for a distressed, raw vibe. Nong Rak is also the first Thai brand to be a semifinalist for the prestigious 2026 LVMH Prize.

The store you visit on every trip

Horse Unit & Woot Woot, Warehouse 30

Being a denim and vintage obsessive, Horse Unit is a must-visit for me during every Bangkok visit. Run by a husband and wife duo, the ground floor—Horse Unit—is dedicated to vintage denim and military and utility styles, which makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. On the gallery floor, Woot Woot offers handmade wooden furniture, objects, vintage finds and local, handmade crafts. I have yet to leave the store empty-handed… On my last visit I picked up a pair of jeans and antique chemist bottles.

Selvedgework, Siam Square

If off-the-rack won’t do and you are a denim aficionado like me, Selvedgework will get your heart beating just a little faster. Founded by a fellow collector (full confession: I have hundreds of pairs of vintage jeans), this is a shrine to all things denim. Choose selvedge denim from mills in Japan and the US and customise your pieces—from buttons to pockets to stitching.

Mega Plaza Camera Center

Set in a mall specialising in toys, gaming, and collectible figures in the heart of Chinatown, this store on the fifth floor is dedicated to new and vintage cameras. I am an avid photographer and since 2008 have been shooting all my brand campaigns. I shoot exclusively with Leica nowadays and am always on the lookout for cameras and lenses for both analogue and digital models. Make sure to visit early, as many stores close in the late afternoon. After, hopefully, a successful shopping excursion, walk along nearby Khlong Ong Ang, which has recently been transformed into a pedestrian zone with a plethora of cafes and restaurants, to soak up canal-side vibes.