The market of Chatuchak in Bangkok

Discover the largest market in Bangkok in the weekend

Once a market exclusively reserved for wholesalers and other merchants, the market of Chatuchak is today a tourist institution and a must for tourists in Bangkok.

This is the place that, by its size and animations, can hold you the most time to Bangkok . For those who love good business or simply want a souvenir, you must absolutely go through the market of Chatuchak. More than 8,000 different stalls parse the market. In a weekend, the market hosts an average of 200,000 visitors. Those who know the market will tell you that we can find everything in Chatuchak even if everything is not at the best price for you.

Before going to Chatuchak

There is a great chance that you spend long hours walking during your little trip to Chatuchak so be expected:

• Bring light clothes
• Bring comfortable shoes
• Protect yourself against the sun
• Bring a backpack to store your purchases
• Think about taking a large bottle of water
• Bring some cash. Credit card is useless and you sometimes have to walk long before finding a distributor
• Attention to pickpockets
• Go ahead in the morning, in the afternoon, the market is much more frequented
• Take a map of the market available in tourist offices to spot you!

Walking in the market of Chatuchak

For those of whom it is the first time, “approach” the market of Chatuchak seems impossible mission, but it is nothing. It’s actually pretty easy to spot it once you understand the system. There's only one big avenue around the market. Inside, the ramifications of small streets are numbered in order (Soi 1, Soi 2, Soi 3...etc).

These aisles are grouped into 27 different sections. Do not try to find a “by product category” logic here because there are no. The sections are just useful to spot on the map where to find a particular point.

It becomes easy to spot after a few hours by taking landmarks such as the BTS and MRT stop or banks.

What can we find in Chatuchak?

You will simply be amazed at the amount of things you can find in this walk. From the old wooden chair to the last Levi’s jeans to a living python, the market contains 1,000 hidden treasures.

To classify all these products, let's say that the market is cut into 11 categories:

• Clothing and accessories
• Craft objects
• Ceramics
• Interior decorations
• Food and beverages
• Plants and gardening
• Arts
• Animals and accesses
• Books
• Antiquities and collections
• Various and occasional clothing

When you buy something in Chatuchak, it is good to take some precautions. Consider what you buy to see the possible defects. Indeed, many vendors sell the defective products of the factories.

If you are interested in antiques, do not pay any attention to what the seller can tell you, trust your knowledge or expertise of someone you trust.

Negotiate everything

The Chatuchak market is a perfect place to practice your negotiators skills. Indeed, everything is trading there. If you can’t make the seller right, take a step out. Most of the time, this small gesture will open the doors of beautiful discounts, otherwise, say you can find the same product in another place! A nice attitude and a nice smile will help you find the best things. It is easy to get angry or feel under pressure in a place such as this one then go with a good dose of calm and relax!

Enjoy the experience

Most people have no idea what they put their feet in. The best advice on this market is simply to go without any expectations or desire to buy anything. Walk as you would in a park and lose yourself in the market until you find the right products to bring home!

Have you ever visited the Chatuchak market in Bangkok? What did you think?