Anyone who’s ever visited Chatuchak Weekend Market can confirm there’s a 100 percent chance of getting lost within this Bangkok institution. This is perhaps the draw of Thailand’s largest market, which has over 15,000 stalls sprawled across 14 hectares.
Located near the lush Chatuchak Park, the market boasts a vast range of offerings, where you can procure everything from a simple tank top to an adorable kitten.
On weekends, the market presents a frenetic scene, drawing close to 200,000 people who come to shop for their favourite items or just to see what the fuss is about.
Learn about Chatuchak’s origin & relocations
Chatuchak Weekend Market’s significance goes beyond its massive size and the variety of its offerings.
Its roots date back to the 1940s when Thai Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram – credited with inventing pad thai – mandated that every town have its own flea market to boost local trade.
In accordance with this, Bangkok established its first market in 1942 in Sanam Luang in the Phra Nakhon district. After a few months, the government decided to shift the market to Sanam Chai, some 20 kilometres away, as the first site was needed for ceremonies commemorating the king’s coronation anniversary.
However, the new location was too small to accommodate the fast-growing number of traders. As a result, the market moved back to Sanam Luang in 1958, where it operated for the next 15 years.
In 1975, Prime Minister Kriangsak Chamanan ordered the market to be relocated once again, as he planned to use its grounds for recreational activities and special ceremonies.
A new location, south of Chatuchak Park, was identified. All the merchants relocated to the area initially called Phahonyothin Market.
The market was officially renamed Chatuchak Weekend Market in 1987. That same year, the market administration and the Thai-Chinese Merchant Association erected a clock tower in the market compound to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Now the market’s landmark, the iconic clock tower also serves as a reliable reference point for disoriented visitors who find themselves lost amid the maze of stalls.
It’s a vibe
For first-timers, brace yourselves for a true feast for the senses. At every corner, you’ll see customers haggling with traders for the best prices, hear buskers belting out popular tunes and smell the tantalising aroma of local dishes wafting through the air.
It’s a shopaholic’s dream
Walk through the labyrinth of stalls selling clothing, and you’ll find an assortment of garments, including cute Cookie Monster T-shirts, linen shirts, and tie-dyed sundresses.
For bits and bobs to spruce up your home, pick up an embroidered cushion cover, ceramic bowls and cups, metal and wooden wind chimes, and even hand-crafted wooden chairs and tables.
If you like buying souvenirs, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can choose from an array of local products, such as scented candles, incense sticks, handmade notebooks, pashminas, fridge magnets, and even customised luggage tags and passport holders.
Food, food, food
Another major highlight of the Chatuchak Weekend Market experience is sampling some of the country’s best culinary offerings.
You’ll find vendors serving classic street food like mango sticky rice, moo ping (grilled pork skewers), and the sai ua—juicy, lemongrass-filled sausages from the north.
Tuck into some fiery curries from the south, khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup) from Chiang Mai or the ubiquitous Isan fermented pork sausages.
There’s also a wide selection of halal food available at the market. Take your pick from delectable kebabs, biryani, and an array of local treats such as Thai fish cakes, beef noodle soup, and green beef curry.
And after an arduous day of shopping (or just navigating the market), there’s nothing like a cold one or a soothing Thai massage to cap off your day.
Useful tips when visiting Chatuchak Weekend Market
Opening times: Chatuchak Weekend Market is open from 9am to 6pm every Saturday and Sunday. Plant traders also do business from 7am to 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while the wholesale section operates from 6pm to midnight on Fridays.
Best time to go: Come early to beat the throngs of visitors and the afternoon heat. Some traders believe that the first customer of the day is good luck and will be more inclined to give you a discount to make the sale—another early bird perk.
Be a mindful traveller: Remember to be an eco-conscious traveller and bring a bag for your loot. If you have bought more than you can carry, suitcases are available for purchase too.
On-site lockers and courier services: If, for any reason, you need to leave the market for a bit, you can store your purchases in on-site lockers. For wholesale shoppers or those buying bulky items, you can make use of the courier services here to ship your purchases home.
This story by Gregory Basil was originally published on AirAsia. Zafigo republished this story in full with permission from the publisher, simply because good stories should be read by as many people as possible! If you have stories that will be of interest and useful to women travellers, especially in Asia, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
