Bangkok is a shopping lovers paradise! Seriously there is a shopping option for everyone. From sprawling luxury shopping malls to tiny street-side stalls, Bangkok has it all. My favorite shopping option is the Chatuchak Market—one of the largest outdoor markets in the world. Covering almost 27 acres with 15,000+ stalls, you can find almost anything you need. Since a place of this size can get a little overwhelming, I put together this guide to the Bangkok’s best weekend market.
Quick Facts About the Chatuchak Market-
- The Chatuchak Weekend Market opened in 1942 when the current Prime Minister declared that every province have their own market.
- The locals call this market JJ Market
- The market covers 27 acres and has over 15,000 booths that sell a variety of goods.
- Over 200,000 people visit the market each weekend day, according to the official website.
How to get to the Chatuchak Weekend Market-
Train-
The Chatuchak Market is easily accessible by Bangkok’s Skytrain (BTS) or subway (MRT).
Take the BTS to Mo Chit Station and follow the crowd out of the station until you see the stalls. There is a small entrance to the market here. This option is a little farther than the MRT station.
Take the MRT to Chatuchak Park Station and use exit 1. From there you can walk to a small entrance into the market. You can also get off at Kamphaeng Phet and take exit 2 to enter the market at section 2.
Taxi-
Taxi drivers will definitely know where the market is. Traffic can be really messy around the market, so be prepared to wait a bit. Be sure to insist that your cab driver runs the meter so that you don’t overpay for the journey.
Bus-
You can also take the bus but I heard this is the worst option. They are often super crowded and can get stuck in traffic. According to the market’s official website you can take the following bus numbers to get there: 3, 826, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 63, 77, 90, 96, 104, 408, 112, 122, 134, 136, 138, 153, 159.
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See the best of Chatuchak Market in one day-
With so many stalls & sections, it is impossible to see every single part of the Chatuchak Market in one day. Wandering aimlessly around the markets in Bangkok heat is a recipe for disaster, so it’s better to go in with a solid game plan.
First off, plan to spend the majority of your day here. There is so much to see, do and eat that you could spend several weekends here and not see it all. The best time to arrive is early morning– you’ll beat the heat and arrive before most of the crowd. The weekend market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Next, make sure you are prepared— wear light clothing, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated and a backpack to carry your purchases. Bring enough cash to cover any purchases you think you will make. There are ATMs in the market but they are very spread out.
Lastly, you’ll want to decide what items you are shopping for or which sections you want to see. The market has 27 sections that each specialize in selling particular items.You can find anything from vintage dresses, antique tables, a puppy or any beauty product imaginable. There is a little bit overlap but for the most part, you can plan your visit based on what you are looking to buy.
Chatuchak Market Sections-
- Section 1: Collectibles, books, and souvenirs such as Buddha statues. This section has tons of books for any book lover!
- Sections 2 to 4: Plants, gardening supplies & home decor. This part of the market has a more hipster vibe, where you can find cute clothes and kitschy accessories. These (and section 3) is definitely the most attractive section of the market.
- Sections 5 & 6: Clothing & Accessories. You can find a lot of vintage or second-hand items here and jeans galore. Be careful when buying because it might not be authentic.
- Sections 7 to 9: Antiques & ceramics
- Sections 13 & 15: Pets & Pet Accessories (ps- If you are an animal lover it might be best to skip this section. The conditions that the animals live in is not the best. I left the area pretty sad).
- Section 24 & 26: Accessories & jewelry
The market can easily get overwhelming and it is common to get a little turned around in the various sections. Definitely pick up a map from one of the information booths to help you keep your bearings. If you get lost, use the clock tower as a landmark to keep your bearings. It’s also a good meeting place should you get separated.
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to haggle. The price listed is usually a bit higher than the actual price the vendor will accept. The key here is to keep it friendly and always smile! If you can’t come to an agreement, just thank them for their time and keep going. Chances are someone else is selling the same thing and you can try again.
Be sure to keep an eye on your belongs. The market can get crowded and being a tourist can make you an easy target for thieves. Also, keep your wallet in your front pocket and keep all bags in your sight and not on your back.
Where & What to eat at the Chatuchak Market-
The Chatuchak Market is a foodie’s dream. There are hundreds of stalls scattered throughout the market to keep you fueled during your shopping.
- Viva 8– This place was bumpin’ when we visited for a quick Singha to cool off. They have DJ that is playing music all day long and the staff is very friendly! It’s a great place to take a rest from the heat of the market and apparently, the paella is to die for. You can find Viva 8 in Section 8.
- Coconut Ice cream- You can find this pretty much everywhere along the main road of the market. Coconut ice cream is amazingly refreshing and delicious. Costing about a dollar, it’s the perfect mid-afternoon treat 🙂
- Meat on a stick- This is my go-to snack in Southeast Asia. It’s always delicious and a safe option to avoid food poisoning as it’s usually hot off the grill.
- Thai coffee- There were tons of vendors selling this throughout the market, especially on the main road. If you like sweet coffee then this stuff will blow your mind!
Hope this guide to the Chatuchak Market helps you make the most of your visit to the Worlds Largest Weekend Market! As one of Bangkok’s best markets, it’s a can’t miss on any Thailand itinerary.
Not tired of shopping yet? Be sure to add the Bangkok’s floating markets to your itinerary for another unique shopping experience.
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Thanks for sharing! Been to Bangkok so many times, but never been to this Market! Definitely need to check it out next time I go!
Yes, definitely make sure it is on your list for next time. It is a great place to pick up gifts!
I LOVE the chatuchak market! We only went once but I did my fair share of shopping here for gifts for my friends and family back at home. It’s such a sensational experience and a fun place to sample tons of great street food!
Omg the food at this market is amazing! I think I might have ate my weight street food lol.
Thanks for all this information! I’ve been to Bangkok about three times now and I have never made it to the Weekend market. I really missed out on something! 😀
Oh boy! You should definitely check it out next time. It’s worth the extra effort it takes to get to.
It’s crazy to think that there is over 15,000 booths in this market – talk about tons of choice! I’ve never been to Bangkok, but I’ve seen some photos of the markets and they are like nothing I have ever seen before.
It really is massive! I spent hours there on my first visit and didn’t even cover a small portion of the market!
Ohh such a dream <3
We were gutted not to be able to make it here but we weren’t in Bangkok on weekends, so it’ll have to wait to our next trip!
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Wow, thanks for sharing this article! I am staying in Bangkok for 2 weeks in June so I will have so much free time in my hands that I need any advice and this looks perfect. Did you buy anything from the market and are there any cheap steals? Also, do people negotiate in Thailand or how does it work?
Thanks!
Definitely spend a day at this market if you are looking for something to do! I bought clothes and a few gifts for family back home (and a TON of street food and snacks!). Yes, negotiating is acceptable just make sure that you are always super respectful and polite– don’t be afraid to walk away! Good luck and enjoy Bangkok!
Somehow I missed this market when I was in Bangkok (but I only had 3 days there) – looks massive. Sometimes markets can be so much fun and other times, highly repetitive. I’ll be checking this one out next time I’m in Bangkok. Thanks for the great tips.
This one can be a bit repetitive but its all the experience. I liked searching through the unique sections and finding one-of-a-kind buys!
Chatuchak Market looks really fun to explore! What was your favourite find there? I think I’d love to see all the flowers! <3
I had such a quick trip to Bangkok (two nights) and I missed so much, but it’s entirely possibly we visited this market on a night tour that I did. I don’t love big cities, but I kind of want to go back now that I know how much I didn’t get to see!
Wow, that’s one big market! I’d love to spend some time there too 🙂 I didn’t visit it when I was in Bangkok, but maybe next time!
Whoa, 27 acres – I never would have guessed it’s that big!! Your pictures look awesome. And I really want to try the coconut ice cream! <3
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This is simply an amazing piece of written content work. Great. And the best part about this blog is the visual representation.
Chatuchak is so huge that one day is not enough for me to explore all the 15,000 booths. Whenever I go here in Bangkok I usually spend my whole weekend in Chatuchak just to look for all the items that I want to buy for my friends and family. 🙂
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I really loved Chatuchak too, one of the highlights of my time in Bangkok!
I really loved Chatuchak too, one of the highlights of my time in Bangkok!
Incredible photos, looking at them, I kind of was there. Thanks for this opportunity! I’m impressed!
They got some really colorful stuff to buy, I love to check out one day 🙂