Ibrahim Jabbari
Once only popular among wholesalers and traders, Chatuchak Weekend Market has reached a landmark status as a must-visit place for tourists. Its sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise will bring any seasoned shoppers to their knees – this is where you can literally shop ‘till you drop’.
The 35-acre (68-rai) area of Chatuchak is home to more than 8,000 market stalls. On a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here to sift through the goods on offer. Veteran shoppers would agree that just about everything is on sale here, although not all at the best bargain rates. But if you have one weekend in Bangkok, squeeze in a day trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market and you will not be disappointed.
How to get there:
Chatuchak is easy to find and navigate. Since Chatuchak is located near one of Bangkok’s most well known bus terminals, you can easily take the BTS to Mo Chit station and stroll until you see the beginning of the market. In addition, you can also take the MRT to Chatuchak Park Station. From there, you can follow the crowds.
What’s on sale
Literally everything. Since there is 35 acres of ground to cover, Chatuchak stalls have everything you could possibly want, including antiques, books, pet needs, ceramics, clothing and shoes, plants and gardening, food, furniture and more.
What prices to expect
The thing about Chatuchak is that there are is so much variety in terms of quality and selection that prices vary greatly. You can find jewelry pieces for 20 baht or 500 baht. Tshirts level out at 150 baht and quality, unique clothes could run you 400-500 baht. Definitely shop around, there are almost 10,000 stalls!
Newbie tip
Keep your wits about you in Chatuchak! It’s definitely crowded enough that you need to mind your wallet and your purchases. Also, the stalls are arranged in sort of a semi-circle, with a central soi framing the market. Inside, there are individual sois that you can explore.
Click here to get directions on Google maps.
