Chatuchak Weekend Market ｜A paradise with everything you need

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Photo credit: gritsuwa on Visualhunt

When you come to Thailand, you have to mention the Chatuchak weekend market. As the name suggests, Chatuchak is a creative market that is only open on weekends, only open on Fridays to Sundays!

You can find all the elements related to Thailand here. You will never leave easily when you come here because it is so cheap. Everything is very cost-effective.(•‾⌣‾•)

If you plan to go to Bangkok, be sure to put this place on your itinerary. If you want to buy souvenirs or go shopping, this is the best place. The same thing will be much cheaper at Chatuchak Market.

▌Thailand Bangkok Travel Guide－Things you need to know

Chatuchak Market Background

Chatuchak Market, located in the northern area of ​​Bangkok, has more than 15,000 stalls and is one of the largest open-air markets in Southeast Asia. It first existed around 1940, but it’s hard to imagine that it was a small-scale market back then. After 80 years, the number of vendors now is really scary.

The market was founded by Plaek, the third Prime Minister of Thailand. He felt that every town should have its own flea market as a relay station for trade. Since Bangkok is a big city, it was chosen as the first implementation place. But the location at that time was different from now.

About Chatuchak Market Information

Provided by Chatuchak’s official website, please forgive the blurry image quality.

To be honest, the map above is only for “reference”. After you enter, you will just keep thinking: Where am I? However, it is still possible to have a general understanding of the size of the Chatuchak market and the location of the vendors.

If you want to find the gate, you can find the red building below. Cross the road and you will find Chatuchak. It is highly recommended for people who have a bad sense of direction. When I was on my way back to find where the rental motorcycle was parked, I just had to walk to this red shopping mall. It was very worry-free.

• ◬ Business hours：（Fri.）6 :00 pm ~ 12:00 pm （Sat.~Sun.）9:00 ~ 18:00
• ◬ Address：587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok
• ◬ How to get there
  • BTS： Take the bus to (N8) Mo Chit Station (Sukhumvit Line ▬)
  • MRT： Take the Central Subway Line and head to Chatuchak Park, which is only about a two-minute walk from the market entrance 2.
  • Others: Tuk tuk, bus, taxi
• ◬ Recommended length of stay： one day

What shops are there in Chatuchak Market?

Alright, we’re getting to the good stuff now! I bet you’re curious about the vendors if you click on this article. At the Chatuchak Weekend Market, there’s a whole lot of eating, drinking, and having a good time.

Once you step through the main entrance, you’ll catch sight of snack stalls offering local specialties.

No matter where you wander, you’ll find must-try dishes like Tom Yum noodle soup, shredded pork rice, Hainanese chicken rice(?), and even Thai beverages. Each dish typically costs around 40 to 70 Thai Baht. The Thai flavors really hit the spot for me!

Even the spicy-loving, authentic Guizhou folks like my husband enjoy the tangy and spicy sensation.

The used bookstores here have all sorts of books – English, Thai, Chinese, and even some that I can’t quite figure out. They’ve got everything from children’s books to magazines, and they even sell DVDs.

If I had kids, I’d definitely come here to snag some deals. The prices are so good that you can get your kids a bunch of books to keep them entertained for a long time. It’s a great way to let them quiet, you know?(ㆆᴗㆆ)

There’s this shop selling some vintage jewelry, and they’ve got other fabrics and traditional clothes too. But here’s the kicker – everything’s going for around 200 to 400 Thai Baht. On this trip, I realized that Thai silver jewelry isn’t really any cheaper.

In the alleyways off the main road, there are loads of kids’ toys, dreamcatchers, home decor stuff, hats, and whatnot. I’m even scratching my head trying to figure out what their main gig is.

When you hit up the Chatuchak Market, you’ll spot all kinds of people from different countries, especially tourists from the Middle East. I noticed they’re really into hitting the fabric shops and grabbing some clothes to take back home. Usually, you’ll see folks from the Middle East rocking these fancy shawls or wrapping their heads with fabric.

In Thailand, the most common things you see at street vendors, aside from clothes, are accessories. Does that mean girls here all love buying these little things like I do? And let me tell you, Thai accessories are seriously unique!

You rarely come across these styles back in other places. Plus, when you check out the prices, it’s really hard not to quietly open up your wallet.

One thing you can’t forget as a Thai souvenir is herbal ointment and grandma’s soap, don’t worry! There are also these shops in the market where you can buy them.

There are also wooden utensil shops that sell massage and decorative wind chimes, spoons, etc. I bought a small scalp massager that I use every time I get home and before going to bed.

If you are thirsty, you can see a beverage shop within a few steps. If you go shopping in summer, it will be super refreshing to have a glass of watermelon juice~ a cup only costs 30 baht.

The juices in Thailand are all very real Ingredients, lychees are all given crazily, and there are! You must also try the cola smoothie!

The herbal tea stall sells various flower teas, health teas, and Thai cooking spices. If you dare to eat spicy food, you can also buy Thai chili peppers to try at home. The spiciness levels vary.

You can choose to buy herbal tea in a single pack or a set. Each pack can be brewed directly into a cup, which is very convenient. It tastes much different from the chemical-flavored ones sold in supermarkets.

What scared me and Fang was that there were many modeling soap shops in the market, and they all sold these embarrassing soaps.

As a Chinese, Fang couldn’t bear the cultural shock for a while. Of course, you can also choose other ones Round traditional soap.

Girls’ bags are of good quality. Woven bags are suitable for summer. There are also some stores selling handmade patchwork bags.

Friends who like to grow plants don’t have to worry, they also sell potted plants and gardening tools, and the interesting potted plants and landscaping are super cute.

Finally!! Did you buy too much stuff? To make sure you can shop to your heart’s content, Chatuchak Market has got you covered!

You can use a shipping company to handle your purchases. There are plenty of stores to choose from, so you can spend your money without worrying about your luggage being overweight.

Summarize

Whether you’re on the hunt for clothes, jewelry, handicrafts, antiques, plants, or pet supplies, Chatuchak Market has got you covered.

It’s a must-visit spot in Bangkok. However, due to the surge in tourism after the pandemic, bargaining isn’t as easy as it used to be. It seems like the sellers now feel like, “If you don’t buy, there’s a bunch of other people who will.” Still, it’s worth trying your hand at bargaining.

Just remember to bring enough cash since many stalls don’t accept credit cards.

Other recommended markets

Khao San Road Night Market, Jodd Night Market, Riverside Night Market, Maeklong Railway Market

Bangkok travel guide

▌Thailand Bangkok Travel Guide－Things you need to know

Bangkok travel recommendations

Practical goodies for traveling in Thailand