Chatuchak Market Bangkok: Our Guide to the Weekend Market
Is Chatuchak Weekend Market worth visiting? Yes, if you like crowds, food and a good hunt. Here are our verdict, opening hours for every day, how to get there by BTS and MRT, and a short route for when you only have a couple of hours.
Undoubtfully Chatuchak Market is our favourite weekend market in Bangkok. We’ve been there countless times, once even took an accommodation close to it to visit twice in a week.
Shopping, food, scents and crowds, but also the quiet grean meadow and the lake of the nearby park. That’s why when people tell us about the nightmare visiting Chatuchak Market in the weekend and their excitiment in buying everything you can possibly think, we reply with quiet moments sipping slow dripping coffee, almost napping in a serene park, and having a proper Khao Soi at the food court. Chatuchak market is more than shopping, and not just for the weekend.
For us is the most unmissable thing to do in Bangkok, even more than Khao San Road. It’s never the same, and even visiting over and over, there are new popup, hidden corner and fantastic things to do. Well it is also the biggest market in the world, welcoming over 200,000 visitors every weekend.
Anyway, this guide is all about Chatuchak weekend Market Bangkok, what you can buy, where to go, best train station nearby and our personal suggestions.
About the Authors
Toti and Ale
London couple, 45+ countries, 300+ guides. We are full-time content creators, travelling as slowmads, spending quality time in places we love the most. We run this and several other blogs from the best places in the world. This Chatuchak Market guide, is the result of our multiple visits even during the week when is quieter.
This update reflect our most recent visit, with nearby cafes, vintage market and shopping mall J. No AI; all road-tested.
Is Chatuchak Market worth the hype?
Absolutely, Chatuchak Weekend Market is worth visiting! Everyone is always over excited before visiting this Bangkok unique market, either because of the endless shopping stalls, but we were beyond excited for the food stalls tbh.
This weekend market is touristy, but still keeps some of that Thai Authenticity in some ways. We’ve spent hours wandering through its 27 sections, each offering something unique.
The food section is our personal favourite—there’s nothing like grabbing a bowl of hot Khao Soi (tasty as the original Khao Soi in Chiang Mai) or Pad Thai while it is wild buzzing around you.
Official Chatuchak Market Map
We got lost so many times, but eventually we got an understanding of it, taking as reference point the clock tower right in the centre. Once we were with our dear friend Han, wandering around, looking for our favourite juice bar. Even though we got there multiple times, we got lost again. Stalls always change, even though sectors are pretty much the same. Divided per specialization and product types.
The above is the official map to the market, with colours to make you understand the directions. You can find this official map pretty much everywhere within the market, take a photo and walk with it.
Our suggested Chatuchak Itinerary
If you only have 2–3 hours to explore Chatuchak Market during the weekend, we suggest following this simple itinerary:
Start at Sector 1
We love this part for coffee and books.
Sectors 12, 14 and 16
Cheap clothes, and designer aisle. It's a melting pot of extravaganza in some shops.
Sectors 24 and 25
We love this part because of the food section. It's often crowded, but before peak time (1PM) you will find a seat.
How to Get to Bangkok weekend Market
Thanks to a local friend, we didn’t do the classic mistake, getting out at Chatuchak MRT. Instead we exited at Kamphaeng Phet Station, which is right besides the stalls 24 and the main road. However, depending on where are you staying in Bangkok, you can either take the MRT or the BTS. These are the correct instructions on how to get to Chatuchak Market using public transport:
- BTS Skytrain: Get off at Mo Chit Station (N8) and walk straight into the market. There are signs, so you’ll not get lost.
- MRT Subway: Depending on where you are staying in Bangkok, the best exit is Kamphaeng Phet, with access to the south entrance. Instead, one stop away, there is the MRT station Chatuchak Park Station, which is only 5 minutes away from the East entrance to the market.
Best time to go to Chatuchak Market and when to avoid crowds
As said we have been to Chatuchak Market countless times. During the week, and of course during the weekend. Our clear understanding, and proved itinerary works when getting there in the morning, before the lunch time rush. From 9 to 11 am, on weekends you’ll find way less people.
For a bit of atmosphere, instead, go in the late afternoon. The dim lights, fewer people around, and nice hotpot places only opening for evening, make the atmosphere unique.
You’ll need at least half a day to wander around the stall and different sections. Once we combined it with a relaxing afternoon at the park. Then again, on another visit we also drag one of our friends to the newly found routine away from the crowds of Chatuchak. There are many coffee places around here, we spotted monitor lizards, and once Ale was so excited that almost start to chase one for photos.
Chatuchak Market opening hours
The market is particularly famous for the weekend, but it’s also open during the week. In fact when we visited on a Wednesday and then on a Friday it was a totally different vibe. The market isn’t open on Monday and Tuesday, but offers a selective version of the weekend one from Wednesday to Friday. To be fair, some parts of it are even questionable with shops and popups selling animals.
Monday and Tuesday is close – Go to the JJ Market – the Vintage Covered Stores opposite to Chatuchak.
Wednesdays and Thursdays – 07:00-18:00 (flowers and plants only with few stalls open for food)
Friday – 18:00-00:00 (Chatuchak night market, we suggest planning to get a drink at The Secret Bar.
Saturday and Sunday – 09:00-18:00 (The entire market is open).
Don’t underestimate the heat
The heat was unbearable, but we got better at every visit. That’s why you shouldn’t do the same mistake. You’ll be overwhelmed, getting through 15,000 stalls is a lot, especially if you visit Chatuchak in the weekend with crowds and peak heat.
Plan your day ahead, with stops along the way, coffee place, juice, coconut spot and lunch covered.
Areas of Chatuchak Market
To better understand the market, it’s important to know the areas. The stalls are well divided, so you’ll often bump into the same or similar products.
Even though you’ll memorise the map, it isn’t as clear as ours to go to the right section. However, note that from time to time, they shuffle around some shops.
Our favourite sections of the market are:
Sector 1: It’s the book area, but also the hidden gem. Here, you’ll find our favourite coffee drip shop, and it’s another way to get out to the MRT. Note that during the week this section is completely closed.
Sector 15: This is where we found the cheapest spices. It should be the accessory sections, but it’s actually a very random bunch of shops.
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Sectors 12, 14, and 16 (inside): These are the perfect sections for shoes, clothes, and bags. Some of the products here are original; we even saw many bags made from recycled shopping bags.
Sectors 24 and 25: Two unusual sections with handicrafts next to drink shacks. Here, you’ll find our favourite juice stall – Juice Station. Also, consider the cheap boat noodle “Pen Age”. If you don’t know what boat noodles are, read our guide to Ayutthaya; these are typical from there.
What to do at Chatuchak Market
Find a new book for cheap
Ale’s favourite second-hand shop in Bangkok is Dasa (a hidden gem, don’t spread it ;). But there is also an entire section, popping up only on the weekend by section 1 at Chatuchak Market.
The most popular seems to be Dilok. You’ll find it easily. If not, there are a dozen similar bookshops, and to be honest, all have great deals.
Get a whole coconut (or refreshing watermelon juice)
Alessia’s favourite drink in Asia is coconut, and she even didn’t like it before our first banana pancake trail.
Walking to the food section, in front of sectors 9 and 10, you’ll see many little stands selling for about 60 THB. Fresh coconut is perfect to beat the heat and restore your body temperature.
Ask for a little spoon (made of coconut shell) to grasp the thermal once the drink is finished. See our reel about Chatuchak here!
Grab a coffee at Talen Coffee Drip
Honestly one of the best cups of drip coffee I have ever had, and I am picky about that. Tale Coffee Drip is unique, from using locally sourced organic beans to roast methods and movements lined to perfection.
We sat on the wooden bench for about 10 minutes before having our coffee served. All worth it; the cup was still boiling, and we had our first raw show, included in the coffee price. They also have drippers, cones and cups handmade, and available for purchase.
Eat at the food court
Many think that visiting Chatuchak on the weekend is only about shopping and bargains. Wrong! Our favourite section of Chatuchak Market is the food court.
Even though it is a tourist activity in Bangkok, you can still find affordable and clean street food shacks. We had everything here, and quality food.
My favourite is the Khao Soy (Actually, read our guide to the best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, if heading there), so I had one for THB 100.
A few things about Chatuchak Market before you go
- Chatuchak Market has been open since 1982
- Before permanently in Chatuchak, this flea market was originally built in Sanam Luang, and relocated many times.
- Welcomes over 200,000 visitors every weekend.
- The roads inside the markets are close to the traffic on the weekend; you can’t access them by bike or motor in any way.
- There is a clock tower in the centre, which we use to orient ourselves.
- There is locker storage for luggage at the entrance of the BTS and MRT if you arrive from the airport.
Our tips for your first visit to Chatuchak Market
- Arrive Early: Chatuchak Market is very busy on the weekend, either Saturday or Sunday. To beat the crowds and the heat, visit it early and then enjoy a great meal in the covered area.
- Take a reusable water bottle with you: This is our evergreen tip for Bangkok. Believe the heat can let you down. We bought a very durable and cheap one at Sampheng Market in Chinatown.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll walk a lot. 35 acres might sound like nothing, but there are over 15,000 stalls in this unique market in Bangkok. I’ve actually bought some sandals to take off my shoes at some point.
- Cash is king in Thailand: Most of the time in markets in Thailand we pay in cash, as there are very few which accept cards. Now, 7-Eleven does not accept card payments for less than 200 THB purchases.
- Prepare to get lost: We got lost countless times, but it was fun. Chatuchak market can be overwhelming, so we snapped a photo of the map at the information kiosk to check out all the time.
- Facilities at Chatuchak Market: There are several toilets within the market, but you have to pay in cash 5 THB. They are generally clean-ish, but bring your own tissues and hand sanitizer. The 5 THB is coins only, so keep some change handy.
- Fake goods section: While there is no specific ‘fake’ section, many shops sell counterfeit items. We strongly advise against buying these. Not only is the quality usually poor (the stitching fails after two washes), but supporting counterfeit trade hurts the independent designers in Zone 2 who are actually creating original work.
- Expect huge crowds between 12:00 and 3:00 PM during the weekend. We regret the decision every time, even though is so much fun. Sweating through horde of people, trying to squeeze in food stalls is fun once, not twice, not every time.
What Makes Chatuchak Special?
Chatuchak is huge, and when we say it, we mean it! We also flew the drone from the nearby Chatuchak Park, just to have an idea of how large it is.
From above, it’s even more impressive. By the way, this is what we highlight at Chatuchak Market based on our last visit:
The Food Scene: If you are a foodie, read it carefully. One standout experience for us was at Talen Coffee Drip. I sit tight for about 5 minutes, patiently waiting for hand-brewed coffee served in handmade cups.
The quality of the beans and the artistry of the preparation made it unforgettable. Another highlight was grabbing fresh watermelon juice at Juice Station. This stall is right inside the chaos, but it seems so far away that you can relax without nagging voices around.
Spices Corner: We found it by mistake, actually while looking for the food area. As we love to bring spices at home and try to replicate dishes we tried around the world, we had to find the REAL spices.
What to do around Chatuchak Market
We have seen many guides online referring to the Chatuchak market, also known as JJ Market. Which is wrong. The true fact is that the JJ Market is the indoor space in front of the regular weekend market, specialising in vintage, antiquities and also games and manga sections.
JJ Outlet shopping Centre as you can google it, is open also during the week. Definitely, less busy than the outdoor market on the weekend, was great to help us cope with the heat.
Another thing you can do around Chatuchak Market is to visit the park. Huge as the shopping area nearby, we visited it twice, easily becoming our place to relax.
Our favourite spots are by the pagodas watching the lake. Also, we got a moment at the coffee shop by the garden, sipping a coffee and playing on the swing until Ale spotted a monitor lizard and started to chase it.
