Weekend Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, or as the locals call it JJ Market, is the largest market in Thailand . It’s a great place for tourists to explore: you can buy all the necessary things, starting from clothing to home decor and pet shops. But Chatuchak weekend market is not only about purchases, but a lot of fun and opportunity to learn Thai culture, as well as get taste local food.
Check this ultimate travel guide to Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok and get information about goods you can buy there, working hours, how to get there and best way to explore.
Chatuchak Weekend Market General Info
- Address: สวนจตุจักร Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
- Price segment: below average.
- Feature: The largest market in Thailand – more than 15,000 stalls, which cover an area of more than 14 hectares.
- Website: chatuchakmarket.org
- On the map: link
Chatuchak Weekend Market Opening Hours
Chatuchak Weekend market is open to public on Saturday-Sunday – from 9:00 to 18:00. If you’re looking for some plants or flowers – you can buy them on Wed and Thu from 07:00 till 18:00.
Chatuchak weekend market operates as wholesale market on Friday – from 06:00 to 18:00.
How to Get to Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok
Chatuchak weekend market is located next to Vachirabenchatat Park, between JJ Mall and Kampaeng Pet metro station. You can get there by buses 9, 77, 96, 104, 136, 509, 517 and others. By car – along Sirat Expy (Toll Road) or Phahonyjthin Road to the exit to Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd. Check all possible transportation options and best rates here.
By BTS
Use Skytrain which runs along Bangkok, nearest BTS station is Mo Chit station. Use exit 1 and follow the signs. In about 300 meters you’ll see entrance gates 3 clothing section.
By MRT
To go to Chatuchak weekend market by using Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) is super easy. You need to take the Central line and get off on Chatuchak park station. The closest entrance to the station is Entrance 2.
By Tuk Tuk
To experience something really traditional, you can use tuk-tuk as a transportation method. Certain things you should know in advance: trip can be costly, up to 350 Baht from central Bangkok to Chatuchak weekend market.
It’s better to agree on fare before you sit in a carriage. As there is no metre in tuk-tuk such a trip can become more expensive compared to taxi. You can ask hotel staff to assist with negotiation about better rates.
What to buy in Chatuchak market
Chatuchak weekend market is a regular participant in the ratings of the best markets in Bangkok. And such popularity is not accidental. Here you will find absolutely everything:
- clothing (cheap brand fakes, inexpensive things from local small shops, quality goods from Thai fashion designers); accessories (glasses, bags, belts, jewelry) can be found in sections 2-6, 10-26
- look for handmade goods in section 8-11
- ceramics (11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)
- shoes and books;
- antiques and work of art (1, 26)
- underwear and swimwear;
- fresh produce, spices and herbs (2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)
- cosmetics and household chemicals;
- a huge assortment of souvenirs, handicrafts, artificial flowers and toys;
- plants market and pets (8, 9, 11, 13)
- furniture and decor items (1,3,4,7,8)
Be careful when buying antiques. Under the guise of something original or antique, they can sell you a fake. Also, before buying, read the rules for importing and exporting from Thailand a certain category of goods.
Reviews about the Chatuchak market in Bangkok are overwhelmingly positive. Vacationers talk about this largest market as huge place with a variety of goods to choose from. They go to Chatuchak weekend market mainly for souvenirs, which are in abundance here, Thai cosmetics (the quality is not worse than Korean) and traditional spices.
Prices in the market are lower than in the shopping centers of the city. For example, a set of 8 jars of the famous white Thai balm will cost only 250 baht. Similar products in the Bangkok shopping center cost about 400-450 baht. On a typical weekend, over 200,000 people visit Chatuchak Weekend Market.
There are days when most vendors arrange sales.
Life hack from avid visitors to Chatuchak: buy where the price is already indicated. The Thais are reluctant to haggle and at first call higher cost than it really is. If the seller wrote the price on the special tag, then you won’t find it below.
Chatuchak Weekend Market Map 2024
Other things to do in the market
But Chatuchak market is famous not only for shopping. You can simply look at the outlandish shopping arcades and goods, listen to the music that sounds from the tents and navigate between food stalls, trying national cuisine and soft drinks.
The market has about ten small eateries and three restaurants serving Thai cuisine. There is also a Viva8 bar where you can relax with friends, enjoy fresh seafood, try cocktails and listen to live musicians.
You can also find many places that sell desserts here. These are pancakes, and brownies and bananas poured with chocolate. There are many points on the market where they sell coconut ice cream, you can choose any topping for it and pour it with syrup.
If you love coconuts but don’t like ice cream, you can enjoy coconut milk. Coconut can be bought from a man with a machete, you can find him at the main entrance to the market.
After Chatuchak weekend market, you can visit another famous place for shopping – Talin Chan floating market in Bangkok. There is less choice, but the shopping process itself is much more unusual.
And a huge plus in favor of this floating market is that comparing to famous Damnoen Saduak it’s closer, only 18km or 21 by car.
Your next stop after this weekend market can be Wat Suwannaram Buddhist temple which is located about 17 km away.
Prepare for your visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market
You will not notice how half a day will pass while you explore the market. Therefore, wear light and comfortable clothes, as well as comfortable shoes, such as sneakers or sandals.
Take a backpack or a roomy bag with you, where you can put the purchased goods. Backpacks and bags are recommended to be carried in front of you, and not put on your back. Be sure to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Prepare a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
Head to Chatuchak Market with cash. Most merchants do not accept credit cards, and it can take a long time to find an ATM. Keep a close eye on your belongings and wallet. If possible, plan to visit the market in the morning. Since the afternoon can be very hot and crowded.
Chatuchak Weekend Market Walkthrough Video
FAQ
Chatuchak weekend market is the biggest one not only in Bangkok, but in Thailand. You can find there any types of goods.
Just to imagine how big it is you need to know that every weekend about 200000 people arrive there for shopping.
Mo Chit
Yes, you definitely should ask for better price. Chatuchak market is considered one of the popular tourist spots, prices for goods there are usually really high.
Sections from 8 to 26 work at night, so you can buy clothes, accessories and check food stalls with many delicacies.
It occupies about 15 hectares, on the territory of the market there about 15000 stalls and more than 11000 vendors.
It doesn’t matter if its official holiday or regular weekends, Chatuchak market is open to the public.
You can join one of many day tours. For example, you can join Damnoen Saduak floating market and Chatuchak Weekend market half-day tour.
If you would like to visit not only Chatuchak Market, but other stores to enjoy shopping, then ultimate shopping experience with private driver offered by GetYourGuide is for you.
