I was browsing through some tourist brochures and saw an advertisement for a weekend market in Chatuchak. So, I hopped on the public transportation system and off I went. Chatuchak is a weekend market and it’s quite large with hundreds of vendors selling everything you can imagine. Most of the products are quite inexpensive compared to what we pay in the west and I saw a more than a few great deals. The clothes are also remarkably inexpensive and there’s quite a variety as well. As you can imagine, it was filled with women shopping for clothes and jewelry. To find it just look for the drop off point at the Mo Chit BTS, the last stop on the Bangkok Transit System in the north. I was there several hours and did end up purchasing a few things to give as gifts when I returned to the US. I should mention there were also many food vendors selling authentic Thai food and of course, I tried some of it.
I was told the Chatuchak Weekend Market was at one time popular only with wholesalers and traders. It has though become somewhat of a landmark and a must-visit place for tourists. It’s enormous and contains a seeming endless collections of merchandise. If you have the time the sheer volume of items available should exhaust even seasoned shoppers and you can quite literally shop ‘till you drop’.
It covers about 35-acres (68-rai) and is home to more than 8,000 market stalls. The place was packed every time I visited and I learned that a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here to sift through the goods. Experienced shoppers will no doubt agree that just about everything is on sale here. Be careful though as not everything is sold 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.
Finding your way in the Chatuchak Weekend Market
As you approach you should look for a map as navigating the labrynth called Chatuchak may seem like an impossible task. Fortunately if you pay attention and grab map, there is a system to help you navigate your way through Chatuchak. There is a primary route that encircles the entire market, and it branches off into a series of numbered alleyways called Soi 1, Soi 2, Soi 3, and so on.
These alleyways or shopping corridors are grouped into sections, with 27 sections in all. There are many categories of goods contained in one section, and the same category of goods will appear again in the other sections. As far as locating your category of goods, it may seem quite ineffective; but it is handy when you try to locate your particular stall or where your exact location is on the Chatuchak map.
You can also find your way around Chatuchak using points of reference as you proceed through the maze, that’s what I did. The BTS and MRT stations as well as banks and numbered entrance gates are good points of references, as you will come across them as you turn corners. But, you can also use the map to locate these references to find your correct orientation.
What Can you Buy?
Imagine the world’s biggest marketplace and imagine what you would buy if you could, that’s Chatuchak. I was amazed at the sheer variety of merchandise, whether a Moroccan lamp, an antique wooden chest, a pair of vintage Levi’s jeans, or, on the exotic side, a python.
I don’t believe it’s reasonable to identify everything for sale but the information available seemed to divided everything into 11 categories:
Clothing & Accessories (sections 2-6, 10-26)
Handicrafts (sections 8-11)
Ceramics (sections 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)
Furniture and Home Decoration (sections 1,3,4,7,8)
Food and Beverage (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)
Plants and Gardening tools (sections 3, 4)
Art and Gallery (section 7)
Pets and Pet Accessories (sections 8, 9, 11, 13)
Books (sections 1, 27)
Antiques and Collectibles (sections 1, 26)
Miscellaneous and Used Clothing (sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 25, 26)
As when shopping anywhere else be wise, look the merchandise over thoroughly and remember that the word ‘antique’ is used generously. Here are some precautions. Check your goods thoroughly for damage, as many vendors sell factory rejects. Again, when you purchase ‘antiques’, don’t trust the vendor regardless how honest he appears. It’s better to bring along an expert, unless you are happy with what you are paying for.
Bargaining Tips
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a great place for bargain hunting, although whatever you buy here is probably no longer the best deal you can find. If you aren’t comfortable with negotiating or don’t speak Thai, be prepared to walk away when the deal fails to go your way. If you’re a tough negotiator, you’ll either be offered a lower price or simply find the same merchandise at another stall. You may find it helpful to practice your negotiating skills beforehand. Something else I learned is that a friendly attitude and big smile are your biggest allies in securing the best possible deal.
Enjoy Your Shopping Experience
If you are like most people I saw, they don’t know exactly what they want or which stall to go to. Many it seemed were surprised and let the sights of all the goods take them through a journey down the maze of stalls. If you’re like me you arrive with a rough idea of what you want, then are mesmorized by what you see and end up going home with more than a few extra shopping items.
My advice is, if this is your first trip, pick a starting point and go with it, enjoy the experience and bring home your exciting new finds.
Before Your Arrival at Chatuchak
It is very likely you’ll end up spending a significant amount of time there. If I were you I would be prepared to ensure that your shopping experience at Chatuchak is an enjoyable one.
Wear light and comfortable clothing, e.g. shorts and a t-shirt/tank-top
Wear comfortable shoes, e.g. a pair of sneakers or sandals
Protect yourself against the sun, by wearing sunglasses, a hat and use sunscreen
Bring a backpack for storing your new-found treasures. It is recommended that you wear your backpack on the front rather than on your back
Always have bottled drinking water handy
Bring enough cash. Most vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be a long walk to the next ATM
Beware of pickpockets and watch your belongings
Plan to go in the morning, as it can get very hot and crowded in the afternoon
Free maps are available from one of the information kiosks
Ok, once more. Where is Chatuchak?
Hop on the Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station, take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd until you see rows of canvas stalls selling clothes. Turn right while continuing to follow the crowd and you will see a small entrance that leads into the market (clothing section).
Another option is to take the subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station (exit no.1), then follow the crowd until you arrive at the small entrance that leads into the market (clothing section). For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit no. 1).
The weekend market is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 09:00 – 18:00, and Fridays 18:00 – 24:00. Plant sections are also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 07:00 – 18:00.
