Chatuchak Weekend Market
587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is situated in Bangkok’s northern district, near to the Chatuchak Park. It is both the largest market in Thailand and one of the largest in the world. Somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors traipse through the market each weekend. That said, not all of them go shopping; some choose to visit visit Chatuchak, which has long since become a reliable cornerstone of tourist's travel guides, on an excursion.
Chatuchak owes its existence to a former prime-minister of Thailand, who came up with an idea to create a flea-market in the city. Over several decades it turned into a huge shopping square, where more than ten thousand shops, stores and street stands are located in a mazy web of narrow passages and galleries.
Its locals are convinced that you can buy anything the heart desires at Chatuchak, and when looking at the impressive variety of local goods, you can easily believe that this is more than just a saying. There is a huge selection of clothes and shoes, purses and accessories, original souvenirs and toys,as well as works of wood and ceramics, furniture and antiques, jewelry and tableware, plants and food. In addition to these goods, the Bangkok market is renowned for selling exotic animals.
A special system of inner streets helps customers to orientate themselves more effectively in the winding labyrinth of Chatuchak: the main shopping street is intersected by smaller ones, are generally grouped by department (in total, there are 27 sections) and have individual names. In addition, it is worth taking a free map of the market, which is usually distributed at the entrance. The clock tower, situated near to the Chatuchak’s central street, can be used as a good reference point. Those who get caught in the net of shopping streets can always turn to one of several information points located at the market.
Besides trade, a plethora of interesting events occur at Chatuchak and in the park nearby every day: captivating performances, funny sketches and the performances of street artists and musicians. Moreover, a multitude of cafés and stands with refreshments and Thai dishes operate at the market.
Important! Remember that visiting the market will take at least half a day, the process of which can be quite tiring. Therefore, it is prudent to wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, as well as to think of protection against the sun.
Getting there. Take the Skytrain to the station Mo Chit or a metro train to the station Chatuchak Park.
