Every weekend, over 15,000 vendors cover the 35-acre Chatuchak Park with a maze-like grid of market stalls. Almost anything can be found here, from local handicrafts to antiques, clothing, jewelry, pets, homewares, electronics, plants, and food. It’s no surprise that this is one of the largest outdoor markets in the world.
The colorful market is a popular weekend destination for locals and tourists alike, but prices tend to be geared towards locals so there’s no shortage of bargains to be found. Hungry shoppers will be easily satisfied with over 400 food vendors serving dishes from every region of Thailand and beyond.
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Price
Free
Hours
7am-6pm, Wednesday-Thursday (Plant section only)
6pm-12am, Friday (wholesale only)
9am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday
Look Around
Who Will Like Chatuchak Weekend Market
Food Connoisseur
Mesmerize your senses with delicacies from all over Thailand like coconut ice cream and mango roti. Take the taste of Thailand home with you by purchasing authentic curry pastes spices, and recipes.
Retail Therapist
Spoil yourself with new bracelets, dresses, swimwear, placemats, fairy lights, wall hangings, and anything else your heart desires with deals to be found on everything from colored chickens to movie-themed t-shirts. The best bargains go to those with a keen eye and sharp tongue as this is a haggler’s paradise.
Bucketlist Bandit
Rake in souvenirs for your family and friends as you wander around this one-of-a-kind market experience. Challenge yourself to see how many of the 1,500 market stalls you can fit into one visit.
Insider Tips For Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Arrive early to avoid the worst of the crowds and the heat.
- Bring your best "poker" face to haggle prices down.
- Duck off the crowded outer ring path to inside alleys which are often air-conditioned and less busy.
- ATMs and money changers are located at the north end of the market.
Video
How To Get There
Taxi
Insist on using the meter before getting in to the taxi. Alternatively, use a rideshare app like Grab.
Tuk-tuk
Best for short-distance journeys as tuk-tuk rides can be bumpy and hot in the heat of the day.
BusChatuchak Park Bus Stop 1
3, 8, 26, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 63, 77, 90, 96, 104, 122, 134, 136, 138, 145, 157, 502, 503, 509, 510, 517, 529, 547, A1, A2
Train (MRT Blue LineChatuchak Park)
2-minute walk southwest from the underground station.
Train (BTS N8Mo Chit Station)
10-minute walk southwest from the Skytrain station.
What To Bring
- Comfortable footwear for lots of walking.
- Light-weight, breathable clothing to keep cool.
- Simple backpack or reusable shopping bags to carry your purchases.
- Cash as most vendors don’t accept card.
- Water bottle
- Unnecessary bags and valuables. Leave your laptop, electronics, and large amounts of cash secured in your hotel room.
Tech & Photography
Wifi
Public wifi access: None
Photography
Photography allowed: Yes
Tripod allowed: Not encouraged
Selfie sticks allowed: Yes
Best time to shoot: Anytime
Drones
Drones allowed: No
Bags
Backpacks allowed: Yes
Secured bag lockers available: No
Food & Drink
- Drum Stick Duck Noodle - Succulent duck is king here served with noodles or rice and with or without broth. The perfect lunch dish: fully satisfying yet leaving room for more local delicacies.
- Jad Jan - Spicy papaya salad, fried honey chicken, roasted pork, and horseshoe crab are the stars at this little food stall. Thankfully the portions are small so you can try them all.
- Moo Yang Nam Peung Mae Sumontha - This hidden gem of a food stall located in Soi 4, area 22. takes some effort to find, however, your determination will be rewarded with grilled honey roasted pork chops that are both sweet and savory.
- Coco JJ - The original and best coconut ice cream vendor in the market. Flavors including original coco, durian, and mango with your choice of toppings like peanuts, palm seeds, corn, coco jelly, and sticky rice. Chase it all down with a refreshing cup of coconut water.
- Viva 8 - Spanish paella, hand-made pizzas, cold beer, cocktails, and a live DJ. What’s not to love about this bar tucked away on the north east corner of the market.
Dozens of food stalls are spread throughout the market grounds. Must-try dishes include garlic bread on a stick, flavored ice sticks, "Ruby Red" water chestnut dessert, grass jelly, mango sticky rice, rotis, and tub tim grob (sweetened coconut and shaved ice).
Backstory
Bangkok's first outdoor market opening its theoretical doors in 1942 with an aim to boost the economy by providing a centralized place for trade. The market was originally located at Sanam Luang, then moved twice before settling at its current location in Chatuchak Park. The market now serves over 200,000 shoppers every weekend.
Etiquette
- Be patient and friendly to other shoppers.
- Drink lots of water to battle the heat.
- Use basic Thai greetings and pleasantries.
- Go shirtless (men) or wear bikinis/ swimwear (women).
- Push or shove when stuck in a crowd.
Scorecard
- Authentic open-air market experience unlike any other due to its large size.
- Variety of items available for purchase from locally made handicrafts and jewelry to mass-produced clothing.
- Plethora of food options so you can try tasty morsels from all over Asia.
- Maintenance and cleanliness of facilities and pathways
- Extreme heat when walking around as the market is only open during the day.
- Low quality items in some stalls. Buyer beware.
Oh, you're so close
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But that's ok! You're welcome to join the cool club for free.
Joining only takes a minute and it's... um... free! Plus you get other perks like badges, points, and unicorns.
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