A trip to Chatuchak Market, the biggest market in the whole of Thailand, is a must for any visit to Bangkok. With over 15,000 stalls selling anything and everything, it is a treasure trove of goodies, knick-knacks, and souvenirs. However, for first-time visitors, and oftentimes even regular visitors, the sheer scale of this market can be very daunting and overwhelming. So, here is a guide on how best to prepare yourself to spend a day here, on what to expect, and other useful tips.
Practical Information
When to go:
The market is open on Friday from 6pm to 12am, but this is for wholesale items only. If you want to really explore the entire market, then come on Saturday and Sunday, when the market is open from 9am to 6pm, though some stalls will stay open much later than that.
The best time to visit would be first thing in the morning. Not only can you avoid travelling under the afternoon sun, but you’ll also be able to maximise the amount of time you spend there. Though you can pretty much spend the entire day here, the market can largely be covered in 5 hours, but of course this really depends on how much you want to explore and how long you want to shop for.
As Bangkok’s most popular market, you can always expect lots of people, regardless of what time of the year you visit, though the crowds are relatively more manageable during the off-peak season from June to October.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to Chatuchak is by private hire cars; just input the name of the market into the app and you’re all set. Hailing a taxi is easy too, as all taxi drivers will definitely know where the market is, though be sure not to get overcharged by drivers looking to profit off clueless tourists. If you are going by taxi, make sure to ask the driver to go by the metre. If the driver insists on charging a flat rate, make sure that it’s a reasonable price, a price that you may need to barter for.
Public transport is a great alternative too. Head to Mo Chit Station if you’re using the BTS Skytrain, or get off at Chatuchak Park Station if you’re going by the underground MRT; both are only a few minutes away from the market.
What to Wear, What to Bring:
Before you hop in a taxi or onto the skytrain, you have to make sure that you’re prepared to survive a day in Bangkok’s busiest market! You don’t want to run out of steam before you’re done exploring.
Bangkok is a warm city with temperatures that can reach a high of 35°C, so wear light and thin clothing; a simple shirt and pair of shorts will work best. As for shoes, wear comfortable ones because you will be walking a lot. You might think that flip flops or sandals are more appropriate for the weather, but unless they are extremely comfortable, they are probably not going to help your feet in the long run (Remember: shopping is a marathon, not a sprint!) Bring along a pair of sunglasses and a hat if you have one, because even though much of the market is sheltered, part of it is still uncovered and the midday sun can be horrible.
Other than that, here is a list of items that you should bring when you visit Chatuchak Market:
- Portable handphone charger
- Handheld/portable fan
- Many stalls in the market sell these, so don’t worry if you don’t have one.
- Bottle of water
- One or more large reusable bag
- Use it to stuff all your purchases in to avoid carrying too many smaller bags. Also great if you want to reduce your plastic waste!
- Enough cash!
- Most of the stalls only accept cash.
What to take note of:
There aren’t many restrooms in the market, and the few that are can be quite dirty and smelly, given the number of people visiting them each day. Visit the restroom before you enter the market, either at the MRT and BTS stations, or at one of the nearby malls.
Given the large crowds of tourists, pickpocketing is always an issue. Take care of your belongings and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t get too interested in a stall that you forget to look out for your bags.
Bargaining and bartering is a part of the Chatuchak experience, as certain sellers will charge higher prices to tourists who don’t know any better. When you’re bargaining, remember to be polite about it, and don’t barter for unreasonable prices as these stallowners are just trying to make a living. However, if a certain stallowner is charging too high a price and is unwilling to lower it, don’t be too discouraged or frustrated. Often, you can find a similar, if not the same, item in another store.
Navigating the Market
So you’ve got all your things and you’ve made it to the market. Now, where do you start?
The first you need to know is that the market is divided into numbered sections. On most maps that you can find online, these sections are colour-coded or categorised by what type of items they are selling, though the stores in each section are not limited to only those categories.
For the most part, these maps are useful as a great general overview of where most things are. However, it might be best to just wander around and see where you end up, which is one of the best ways to explore this market. Start in an area you’re interested in and work your way out from there. Who knows, you might stumble upon a store selling something you never knew you wanted!
Shopping
Here are some of the things you can shop for in this market. This is by no means a definitive list, and you’ll definitely find much more than what is here. Also, due to the nature of the market, the sections listed here are just rough guidelines of where you can find these items.
Clothing & Accessories (Sections 2-6, 10-16, 18, 20-23)
Clothes are by far one of the most popular things to shop for in Chatuchak market, with clothing stores found in almost every part of the market, ranging from the second-hand to the vintage and the hipster. You will also find stores that specialise in certain types of clothing and accessories, with some places selling nothing but jeans, sneakers, swimwear, backpacks, leather goods, etc.
While many clothing items and accessories can be bought at very low prices, there has been a growing number of small boutiques selling trendy and fashion-forward pieces for slightly higher prices. As a general rule of thumb, the nicer and more “aesthetic” a store looks, the higher the prices are likely to be. However, as many of these items are locally designed or homemade, the prices might be worth it if you want to get something unique that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Decorations, Art, & Handicrafts (Sections 2-10, 15, 17, 19-25, 27)
If you’re looking for something to spruce up your home, this market has got you covered. Lamps, tea sets, sculptures, wooden crafts, and paintings are just some of the many things you can find to add to your home. Like the clothes, many of these are locally designed and/or made, so be sure to purchase something to remember the trip by, or even something as a gift for a friend or family member.
Want to buy a big item like a vase, statue, or wood carving, but you’re not sure how to get it back to your country? Several courier services like DHL and UPS have offices in the market, and can assist you in shipping your large purchases home.
Pet Accessories (Sections 7, 9, 11, 24)
Have a furry friend waiting for you back home? Why not get something for them, with the market selling all types of treats, toys, and pet beds, perfect for any creature big and small.
Be warned though, live animals are sold in the market, including puppies, rabbits, cats, birds, even piglets. Unfortunately, these animals are often kept in horrible conditions, with cages that are too small or with too many animals crammed into a single cage. While it is a sad sight to see, and while you may be tempted to save these poor animals, do not buy from these sellers as the demand will only serve to encourage supply. While it is very upsetting that nothing can be done about it, we recommend just staying clear of these areas.
Spa & Massage Essentials (Sections 7, 9, 11, 24)
Maybe you got a massage and loved the oil they used, or maybe you really like a certain fragrance you smelt while you were in spa. Well, you’ll be able to find it in this market, with many stores selling essential oils and aromatherapy fragrances, as well as scented candles and soaps, often made with natural ingredients. If you want to recreate the relaxing atmosphere back home, stop by one of these shops.
Tired from walking but still want to shop? There are small massage parlours scattered all around the market, offering 30 minute to 1 hour massages for pretty low prices, perfect for a quick break to rejuvenate yourself before continuing on your shopping spree.
Souvenirs
Souvenir shops are all over the market, so no matter which section of the market you end up in, there will be at least one souvenir store near you. The souvenirs sold here range from the tacky (clothes and bags with “Bangkok” written in a big font), to the hilarious (penis shaped items, novelty shirts with funny logos or sayings), and even the unique (traditional Thai crafts and games). Some stores even sell customizable items like passport covers and wallets, which make for great gifts for people back home. With so many weird and wonderful items for sale, you’re sure to leave with something interesting to remember your trip by.
Food
One of the best parts about Chatuchak Market is that food stalls are pretty much everywhere. While there are a couple of sections dedicated solely to food with several sit-down places where you can grab a full meal, you will find stalls all along the main road that circles around the market.
Most stalls sell authentic Thai dishes and street snacks, many of which are unhealthy but too good to pass up, with Thai fried chicken, sweet coconut pancakes, Phad Thai, grilled squid, and sticky mango rice, just to name a few. For something a little healthier, there are many fresh fruit and fruit juice stalls as well, where you can grab a bowl of fresh guava or a cup of refreshing watermelon juice. With so many Thai food options, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but we highly recommend either a serving of coconut ice cream or a cup of Thai ice milk tea, both perfect for cooling you down in the warm weather.
More international dishes and snacks are making appearances in the market as well. There is a popular store in Section 8 that serves fantastic Paella, so order a plate and enjoy this iconic rice dish from Spain. For something less filling, head to the trendier part of the market where you can find a store selling crepes with a wide variety of sweet and savoury toppings to choose from.
What makes the food here especially tasty is its cheap prices! With many stalls often selling the same food, the competition keeps the prices low, which is great for saving more money for your shopping!
Nearby
J.J Mall, Jatujak Plaza, and Mixt Chatuchak are three shopping malls that are located along the edge of Chatuchak Market. Like the market, these malls have a mix of stalls selling cheap and affordable items and boutiques selling trendy but slightly more expensive high quality products. You’ll also find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and food courts spread across the three malls. However, what is most important is that they are air-conditioned, making them perfect places to escape to if the heat gets unbearable.
Addresses & Opening Hours:
J.J Mall:
588 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Monday - Friday: 10:30am - 7pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 8pm
Jatujak Plaza:
599 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tuesday - Sunday: 9am - 8pm
Mixt Chatuchak:
8 Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
So there you have it, everything you need to know about Bangkok’s largest and most popular market. Hopefully, with this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle this busy market and its thousands of stalls. Remember, no matter where you end up, or even if you get lost, that is all part of the Chatuchak experience.
