SINGAPORE - Singapore should have a permanent night market to preserve its "pasar malam" culture, the Trade Fair Merchants' Association has proposed.

The market, which could come with roller coasters and a hotel, could help to halt the decline of pasar malams in Singapore.

The itinerant markets have been hit by dwindling venues and rising rentals in the past five years.

Night markets are a staple in Asia, and many are thriving. Taipei's Shihlin Night Market, Dongdaemun in Seoul and many in Bangkok are familiar to Singapore travellers.

Here are others worth checking out:

Greenway Night Market in Hatyai

Bangkok's night markets are well-known to most. In Hatyai, the night market to check out is Greenway, according to editor of Asian Geographic Magazine Lim Wan Phing.

It is located off Kanjanavanit Road next to the Magic Eye 3D Museum, and is near another market - the Asean Night Market. Both have lots of street food on offer.

Chiang Mai Night Market

Plenty of local handicrafts can be found here for prices lower than in Bangkok. Think silver trinkets, handmade lanterns, leather purses and hand-woven pouches.

The massive market near Thanon Chang Khlan is surrounded with food stalls, chic cafes, massage parlours and drinking places - everything a tourist needs.

Kuala Lumpur night markets

There are several night markets close by in Kuala Lumpur which are known for their hawker food.

Some famous ones are in SS2 Petaling Jaya (open on Monday), Sri Petaling (on Tuesday) and Taman Connaught (Wednesday).

Shida Night Market

Shihlin is the most famous Taipei market but many like the less commercialised Shida, which is near the National Taiwan Normal University.

Tasty, local snacks and cheap , trendy clothes draw many students, locals and tourists to its streets.

It is located at Longquan Street.

Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul

Not exactly a night market, but this seafood paradise is open all night. Customers can pick live seafood and go to one of the restaurants near the market, which will turn their "catch" into a meal for a small fee.

The market has made the news for the wrong reasons this year, as vendors clash with the authorities over moving to a new building.