Date Visited: 20th October 2012
16th February 2013
Besides few numbers of shopping malls around Bangkok which I went couple of times throughout my two visits, eventually there are three famous spots which I visited twice - Terminal 21 (a shopping mall with 9 different interesting travel concepts and themes), Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (largest floating market) and last but not least, the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which I don't mind of going back again and again in case I wanna visit Bangkok again in future.
#1: Chatuchak Weekend Market is grouped into 27 sections and roughly divided into 11 categories which selling all kind of items.
As the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak Weekend Market or the right way to pronounce will be "Jatujak" is only open on every Saturday and Sunday and most stalls here operate from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. If possible, plan your trip wisely and try to squeeze at least half of your day to visit this weekend market and trust me, you won't be disappointed and who knows, you might wanna go back again just like me.
#2: For home decoration purposes
Chatuchak Weekend Market offers wide selection of products; ranging from foods, clothing, accessories, household items, furnitures, Thai handicrafts, artifacts, and even exotic animals such as python. This place is absolutely an ideal place to choose one or two souvenirs for your family and friends back home and you will completely be spoilt for thousand of choices being offered here. Beware - as this is one of the places where my purse almost bleed badly, besides Platinum Mall and Naraya outlets.
#3: Religious artifacts
#4: Household items
Interested to buy those unique and beautiful furnitures, antiques, household items, ceramics and pottery but found difficulties in bringing back home especially when the items were heavy and huge and your luggage allowance is limited, no worry as there is this shipping and cargo services provided within the market area. The one that we came across was Cargo Point Logistics which they have 4 different branches located with this weekend market.
#5: For me, I'm more interested on the clothing, accessories and Thai handicraft section
#6: Most of the T-shirts here were designed by the local Thai themselves. Such innovative and creative talents they had.
#7: T-shirt with famous cartoon characters. Can you name all of them?
To be frank, I found most of the T-shirts designed by the local Thai were ain't cheap and some even cost 250 baht and above for just a white T-shirt with only a single design. But then, what make them special and unique was you can't found most of these designs in elsewhere. So in case you stumbled into the one you like, try to bargain and instantly buy it without thinking twice cause you wouldn't found the same shop selling the same item. Plus, as this market is so huge and large like I mentioned above, I doubt you might able to find back the shop you were interested earlier cause I experienced it twice.
Bargaining wise, I noticed most of the stall vendors only allowed to lower few bahts when you bought two or more items from them. Perhaps, try to be friendly and give a big smile to the vendors in order to get the best deals.
#8: What a visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market will be without visiting the foods section? This is one best way to experience and enjoy the local foods - especially the fruit juices which being peeled freshly into a bottle. They were indeed so refreshing and juicier. As for non-halal, don't forget to try at least a bite of the roasted pork cause they were simply delicious and scrumptious, man!
#9: Don't ever leave this weekend market without having the famous and creamy fresh coconut ice-cream. It tastes so heavily especially under the hot heat and made me craving for second bowl.
- Wear comfortable clothing (light T-shirts and shorts) and shoes and if possible, bring along hat, sunglasses and apply sunblock cause the weather will getting hotter especially during the noon time.
- Wear your bag in front rather on your back to avoid pickpockets
- Bring sufficient of baht cause I didn't spot any money chargers nearby. And also, most vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be a long walk to the next ATM
- Visit Chatuchak Weekend Market as early as you can in order to avoid the heat as well as the crowd.
How To Get To Chatuchak Weekend Market
BTS Station: Mo Chit (Exit 1) and follow the crowd until see rows of canvas stalls selling clothes and accessories.
MRT Station: Chatuchak Park (Exit 1) and follow the crowd as well. Open on every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm
