Chatuchak Weekend Market: Best Place To Shop in Bangkok
Now Go See It is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Also known as JJ Market, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest outdoor markets in Bangkok, Thailand. To pronounce just say “Jat-u-jak.”
Chatuchak Market Guide: (Jump To)
Chatuchak Market Opening Times
The official Chatuchak market opening is Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, though some sections open Friday evenings. If you're planning around Chatuchak weekend market Bangkok opening hours, stick to the weekend for the full experience.
The sprawling market is easily reachable by subway from the central part of the city. The market is open on Friday night from 6 pm until midnight and on Saturday and Sunday from 6 am - 6 pm. The hours are pretty loose, with many vendors opening early or staying late. Parts of the market are also open on weekdays.
History of Chatuchak Market
Originally launched in the 1940s as a state-run trading spot, Chatuchak slowly evolved into the massive sprawl it is now. It’s now one of the best shopping places in Bangkok, with over 15,000 stalls packed into 27 sections.
In the 1940s the Thai Prime Minister mandated that every province must have a market. The market moved a few times before finding a permanent home in its current location of Sanam Luang in 1958.
The market is one of the world’s largest and is currently home to over 15K stalls and 11K vendors covering 27 acres. The vendors sell almost anything you can think of. There are plants, food, produce, shirts, housewares, lighting, statues, art, and more. It’s an unbelievable assortment of things.
The layout is tight with narrow passageways in a grid layout under tin roofs. Around the exterior is another row of vendors sharing the indoor and outdoor space. Other vendors spread out on the surrounding streets approaching the market.
The market is crowded and hot with a combination of smells ranging from enticing to downright horrifying. The market is clean and safe with plenty of police and security watching over as many as 100,000 yearly visitors.
Chatuchak Weekend Market Review
Expect heat, crowds, and sensory overload—but also bargains, food, and some of the best places to buy souvenirs in Bangkok. For budget travelers and first-timers, this is the best weekend market Bangkok has for variety and sheer volume.
Our visit started around 10 am, arriving via Grab (Thailand’s rideshare service). We immediately walked into the sprawling stalls. With nothing in mind to shop for, we started out exploring. The market was busy but did not feel overwhelming in terms of crowd size.
We loved checking out the kitchenware section with many wood-carved must-haves for our home kitchen. We also picked up a few fun t-shirts in the clothing wing and some whimsical art that now hangs in our kitchen, plus some gifts for the folks back home.
As with much of Thailand, goods are inexpensive. Price haggling is certainly allowed and maybe even expected. I never felt the need to go too hardcore in my haggling as everything was so fairly priced, plus a lot was handmade and one of a kind, so I wanted to help the artist by giving them what it was worth.
We weaved in and out of the stalls and sections until about 1 pm. After our visit, we had to make an extra stop back at our hotel to drop off our purchases before heading back out for the rest of our day in Bangkok.
I wanted to finish the time in the market with a coconut ice cream, something I read online was a must-eat at the market. It was served in a coconut husk and topped with coconut flesh and my choice of toppings (I picked peanuts and sticky rice). It was a cool and refreshing button to the hot morning at the market. I recommend it.
Chatuchak Weekend Market Map
A Chatuchak Weekend Market map is essential if you don’t want to get lost—grab one at the entrance or download a Chatuchak Market Map Bangkok version online. The Chatuchak market directory helps if you're targeting specific zones like plants, vintage, or the Chatuchak Flower Market.
Navigating the bustling labyrinth of one of the world's largest and most diverse weekend markets can be intimidating for both seasoned shoppers and first-time visitors. Having a map will help you find what interests you most. Although, many prefer just to enter and get lost inside.
Location: Google Maps
Map and Additional Info: AIRPORTELs
Chatuchak is part of our Two Days in Bangkok itinerary.
