Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok Guide

With more than 10,000 stalls, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand, but until a few years ago, Chatuchak was a well-kept secret, and the visitors in the small pathways were almost entirely locals. Today, the market is on most tourists’ to-do list, but it has not lost its charm and it is definitely still worth a visit.

During the day, the cramped space under the rusty tin roofs, so visit early in the morning and remember to drink sufficiently. You can buy ice-cold drinks everywhere, but unfortunately the bins are few and hard to find. I therefore always buy screw cap bottles, so I can keep the empty bottle in my bag until a bin shows up.

Many of the stalls also trade with wholesalers, and you are only rarely allowed to try the clothes on, before purchasing. Measure yourself before you go and bring a measuring tape, so you have a fair chance to assess whether the clothes you are considering to buy, will actually fit you.

The market is divided into sections and you can buy everything from reptiles to camouflage clothing. To get an overview of this huge area, I can recommend picking up a free map of the area from one of the information centers located throughout the market.

Although Chatuchak is a market, the goods are not always cheaper, than what you find in stores around Siam Square, Platinum Mall and Asiatique, and many of the stalls also have a “real ” store in the city.

• Chatuchak is also open Wednesday to Friday, but with a limited number of stalls and visitors. For a true market experience, you should visit the market on Saturday or Sunday.

• The easiest way to getto ChatuchakWeekend Market is by Skytrain (Mo Chit) or metro (Chatuchak).

• Most of the stalls sell the same, mass-produced goods, but many young, aspiring designers also sell their clothes and accessories at the market.

Chatuchak, Bangkok, Nearest BTS: Mo Chit Visit Chatuchak’s website