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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!
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!
kate, how much is the price for iphone there?
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.
ummm, they are not gold fans, btw. they are most probably copper blades. for 1500 bahts, i reckon 2grams of gold would be a pretty good buy! also, what’s with the exclamation after every item?
I drop a comment when I like a article on a website or I
have something to contribute to the discussion.
It’s triggered by the sincerness displayed in the article I looked at. And on this article Chatuchak Market: Bangkok’s Weekend Market
| Adventurous Kate. I was moved enough to drop a thought
😉 I do have 2 questions for you if you tend not to mind.
Could it be only me or does it seem like a few of these comments come across as if they are coming from brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are writing on additional online sites, I would
like to follow you. Could you make a list every one of your public sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Hi,
What is the address of the shop selling gold fans (S E brand) ?
Best regards.
Yves