Chatuchak Market: Bangkok’s Weekend Market
If you’re in Bangkok during the weekend, you must visit Chatuchak Market. This gargantuan market is a microcosm of Bangkok in itself: chaotic, humorous, immense, diverse, full of delicious food and hot, hot, hot.
Chatuchak Market, also called Jatujak Market or JJ by the locals, is open on Saturday and Sunday from 9-6. I can’t imagine what it looks like during the week! It must vanish into nothing.
Has this market ever been on The Amazing Race? It should. I half expected Phil to jump out from around the corner: “This is Chatuchak Market, Bangkok’s weekend market. Teams must find this specific glassware seller, where they’ll receive their next clue.”
Though much of the market is outside, most of the stalls are inside:
Everything you can imagine is sold here.
Here are some of the things you can find for sale at Chatuchak Market:
Fabric!
Gold fans!
Baskets!
Glassware!
Baby shoes!
Fake flowers!
Real plants!
Live fish!
Tips for visiting Chatuchak Market
The market is located in the northern part of the city, right on the Metro. If you’re coming from Banglamphu, you’ll need a tuk tuk or taxi.
Pick up a copy of Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok. The map itself is fantastic, but for Chatuchak Market, it’s incomparable, laying out every section of the market in detail.
HYDRATE. It’s very hot at the market, especially in the indoor stalls, though a few have air conditioning. If you want to escape the heat, there’s an indoor mall that’s icy cold.
Be prepared to haggle like crazy! It’s the only way. And don’t underestimate the power of walking away!
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At age 26, I quit my job to travel the world alone. I spent six fantastic months in Southeast Asia and turned my travel blog into a full-time business. Today, I travel full-time, going anywhere that sounds wacky or beautiful or interesting. My goal is to show YOU how you can travel the world on your own -- easily, safely, and adventurously. 
That market looks awesome! Who doesn’t want to go somewhere you can get both a gold fan and a goldfish?! Did you buy anything? Please tell me you did, and that it was something as ridiculously awesome as a gold fan!
Emily, I did not…backpacker budget! (Well, considering I bought an unlocked iPhone today, I guess that’s no longer a factor…)
It was a great experience nonetheless!
The market looks so interesting. Looks like a fun place to visit.
Great shots! If you take the canal boat out of Banglamphu then the Skytrain to Mo Chit, you can buy something with the money you saved on the tuk-tuk or the taxi.
I loved this market. There were so many great fashion finds, Unfortunately I was also on a backpackers budget so it took all of my self control to keep myself from buying all those pretty dresses. I did buy a shirt from a very fashionable gentleman though as a gift. Enjoy your travels Kate!
I think the shoes are my favorite. Oh, and all the colors!!!
Love your blog! My husband Jon and I met Backpacker Matt when he first got to Bangkok (I think soon after the bug eating night) and he gave us some sites to follow including yours. I became a total addict.
The market also had a section called live creatures or something like that. We were expecting some weird animals, perhaps to eat. It turned out to be puppies (not to be eaten). Tons and tons of puppies and occasional kittens. Basically a huge pet shop.
Thanks for this post, been working myself up to going there. The Thai markets are fascinating places.