Market · Chatuchak District, Bangkok

Chatuchak Weekend Market

A sprawling weekend market in north Bangkok with thousands of stalls selling clothes, crafts, plants, antiques and food

Ambient sound · similar settingEvening street-market ambience at Carbon Market

Photo: Pikacent (@pikacent) / Unsplash

Discover Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak, often shortened to JJ, is a city of covered lanes. The market is divided into 27 numbered sections, each split into narrow sois that branch off a main walkway running around the site, and the stalls are tightly packed with clothing, shoes, handmade jewellery, home décor, ceramics, art, books, antiques and plants. Estimates of its size vary, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand counts more than 8,000 stalls, and other counts put it higher still.

The market is easy to reach on the Skytrain and the MRT, and it draws Bangkok residents as much as tourists, so weekend mornings are busy and lively. Between the shops are food stalls and small cafés selling coconut ice cream, grilled meats, noodles and fruit shakes, and the clock tower near the middle of the market is a useful landmark for meeting up when the lanes start to look alike.

Don’t miss

01Vintage clothing, T-shirts and local designer labels
02Handicrafts, ceramics and home décor from across Thailand
03Second-hand bookshops and art stalls
04The plant and garden section near Kamphaeng Phet
05Street food and coconut ice cream between the lanes

History & culture

The story of Chatuchak Weekend Market

Bangkok's weekend market began in the 1940s and was held for many years on Sanam Luang, the royal field beside the Grand Palace, apart from a short spell at Sanam Chai. In 1975 it began moving to railway land on the south side of Chatuchak Park, and by 1983 all the traders had relocated. It was known as Phahonyothin Market until 1987, when it took the name Chatuchak, and it has since grown into one of the city's best-known attractions.

Local life & traditions

Chatuchak is where many Bangkok residents do their weekend shopping, and young designers use it to launch their own labels. Families come for plants and pets, collectors for antiques and old records, and everyone stops to eat. Prices are generally fair, and gentle bargaining is accepted for clothes and souvenirs, though it is less common for food.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Visitors spend half a day or more wandering the lanes, bargaining for clothes and souvenirs, stopping for snacks and cold drinks, and picking up a free map at an information kiosk to find particular sections. Many combine the market with a walk in Chatuchak Park next door. The plant market on Wednesdays and Thursdays and the Friday evening opening are quieter alternatives to the weekend crowds.

When to go

The market is busiest and hottest from late morning, so arrive soon after opening on Saturday or Sunday. The cool season from November to February makes walking the open walkways more comfortable; in the rainy season most lanes are covered, but the outer paths can flood briefly during heavy storms.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday 09:00 to 18:00; Friday 18:00 to 24:00; plant sections Wednesday and Thursday 07:00 to 18:00. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗
Getting there: BTS to Mo Chit (Exit 1) or MRT to Chatuchak Park (Exit 1); for the plant and flower section, MRT to Kamphaeng Phet (Exit 1). Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗
Payment: Most vendors do not accept credit cards, so bring enough cash. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗
Maps: Free maps are available at the information kiosks. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗

Checked against the sources on 29 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Arrive early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat and the biggest crowds.
Note the section and soi numbers of any stall you want to return to; lanes look alike.
Inspect goods before buying, as some clothing is factory seconds.
Be sceptical of claims that antiques are genuine unless you know the subject well.
Carry water and small notes, and keep valuables secure in the crowds.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Chatuchak Weekend Market: food, markets & places to stay

Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit Park and Rot Fai Park lie beside the market, and the Or Tor Kor fresh market, known for high-quality fruit and prepared foods, is across the road near Kamphaeng Phet station. The Bangkok Children's Discovery Museum is nearby, and central Bangkok is about 20 minutes away on the BTS.