How to Navigate Your Shopping trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market

Going to Bangkok on your next holiday? You must add Chatuchak Weekend Market to your itinerary. Hosting around 15,000 stalls, Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest street markets in the world. From clothing to antiques to souvenirs, the market sells a wide variety of merchandise. Here's how to navigate your shopping trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Location

The market is located just fourteen minutes from Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel in the Chatuchak district. You can easily access the market by public transport. The market is open from morning until late afternoon but is only open on weekends. Once you get to Mo Chit Station or Chatuchak Park Station, it’s only a short walk to the market.

Navigating the market

The market has over 15,000 stalls, so finding your way around can be a challenge. There are different sections, each featuring thousands of shops that sell specific types of goods. The best thing to do is to familiarise yourself with the different sections of the market before visiting. If you can, you should consider getting a local guide who can help you navigate through the market.

Here are the most popular sections of the market you should know:

Clothing and accessories section

Handicrafts section

Antique section

Plants and gardening section

Pets section

Food and drink section

Art and gallery section

What can you find?

With a massive collection of goods available, Chatuchak Weekend Market is a haven for shoppers. This is why visiting the market is one of the best things to do in Bangkok. Stalls offer a wide range of clothing items, including traditional Thai garments and trendy streetwear. You’ll also find a variety of accessories, including jewellery, shoes, and bags.

Some other fast-moving items at the market include furniture, antiques, and artwork, making it an excellent place to pick up gifts for your friends back home.

Where to eat and drink

Shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market is exciting but can be pretty tiring, which is why you should take the time to refuel and rehydrate yourself, especially if you are visiting at midday. From traditional Thai dishes to international cuisines, the market offers a variety of dining options. Fresh fruit smoothies, grilled meat, and pad Thai are some of the most popular food items here. There are also various places where you can grab a cold drink or a healthy alternative like a glass of refreshing coconut water.

Use your bargaining skills

When shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market, one thing you need to remember is that bargaining is a must. The market is known to offer competitive prices, but as you are a tourist, vendors will quote the highest possible price. So, don’t be afraid to haggle and negotiate a lower price, but you should be respectful and polite. If you are not sure what the going rate for an item is, you should talk to other vendors and shop around to get an idea of the price.

Best time to visit

As this is a weekend market and is open only for two days, the market gets extremely crowded, especially at midday. To avoid crowds and shop in peace, you should arrive as early as possible or late in the afternoon. But keep in mind that some shops don’t stay open until later in the day, so if you are looking for a specific item, it’s best to arrive early in the morning.

Tips for first-time visitors

Here are some tips that will help you to have a pleasant and memorable shopping experience at Chatuchak Weekend Market:

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the market can be hot and crowded.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.

Bring cash in small denominations, as not all vendors accept credit cards.

Download a map of the market to help you navigate through the different sections.

Take your time and explore the market at your own pace.