Chatuchak Weekend Market Bangkok: Map, Sections & Tips

Chatuchak Weekend Market, which locals simply call JJ, is the biggest market in Bangkok and calls itself the largest weekend market in the world. More than 15,000 stalls are packed into 27 sections on around 35 acres in the north of the city, and on a busy weekend about 200,000 people come here to shop.

You can find almost anything at Chatuchak. The range goes from vintage clothes and handmade jewelry to antiques and furniture, and between the stalls there are plenty of places to eat and drink. We came home with new clothes and a bag full of small gifts for family and friends. When the heat got too much, we took a break with an iced matcha at one of the small cafés in the market.

In this guide we explain how the market is laid out and which sections are worth your time. You’ll also find the current opening hours and the easiest way to get there by BTS or MRT.

Tips for Visiting Chatuchak Weekend Market

Come early. The market opens at 9 am, and the first two hours are the most pleasant. After 1 pm it gets hot and crowded, even though most of the market is covered.

Bring cash. Most stalls don’t accept cards. Small notes make bargaining easier.

Bargain politely. Haggling is normal at most stalls. If you buy several items at once, you’ll usually get a better price.

Use the clock tower. The sections are arranged around a clock tower in the middle of the market. If you get lost, walk back there and start again. It also helps to take a photo of the stall number when you see something you might come back for.

Take a break in the park. Chatuchak Park is right next to the market and a good place to sit in the shade for a while.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market Experience

Chatuchak is one of the most fun places to visit in Bangkok, and the size of it can be overwhelming at first. The narrow lanes go on and on, and every few meters the goods change. What we liked most were the small designer shops, where young Thai labels sell clothes and accessories they make themselves.

If you love secondhand fashion, plan extra time. In the vintage sections you’ll find branded handbags, football jerseys, old jeans and refurbished sneakers at prices that are hard to beat in Europe.

The antiques area and the section where local designers sell their furniture are also worth a look. Between the sections there are small stands selling cold drinks and snacks, and if your feet start hurting, you can get a Thai foot massage right inside the market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

Market

Chatuchak Friday Night Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

Chatuchak

Weekend Market

Chatuchak

Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

Highly recommended is a shopping tour to the antiques section and the area where local designers exhibit their furniture. Rarities and unique pieces can be found here. Another highlight is the ceramics section, which is also not to be missed. Between the areas you will always find small stands for cool drinks and small snacks, which makes the shopping experience really pleasant. For the hunger in between, there are some nice restaurants and food stalls in the area. Those who are exhausted because of a long shopping tour, can recover their feet by getting a Thai massage directly inside the market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

Chatuchak Market Map: What to Find in Each Section

Chatuchak is divided into 27 numbered sections, and each one focuses on certain products. Large signs show the section numbers, and maps are posted at the main entrances. Many sections sell a mix of goods, so use this list as a starting point.

Section 1: Here you will find amulets, books, collectibles, some grocery stores and cafés.
Section 2 to 4: In these departments are beautiful furniture, paintings and ceramics, facilities and collectibles.
Section 5 to 6: clothes, hip designer clothes and second-hand goods. Also, beautiful fashion jewelry, watches and cool accessories are offered.
Section 7 to 9: In this section, antique lovers will certainly find something. It also offers arts and crafts, furniture and ceramics.
Section 10 to 24: Clothing, general consumer goods, household appliances and pets
Section 17 to 19: ceramics and food
Section 22 to 26: furniture, antiques and handcrafts
Section 27-28: Books and Collectibles, Food
Section 29: Antiques
Section 30: Clothing & Miscellaneous

With an overwhelming selection of sections and stalls, you could get lost quickly. With this map, you can check out the location in advance and decide which sections might be interesting and where to go. Also, a map can be found at the main entrance to the market. Recommended is also using Google Maps inside the market.

Sections 8, 9, 11 and 13 also sell live animals. Animal welfare groups have criticized the conditions there for years, and in June 2024 a fire in this part of the market killed around 1,000 animals. We skip these sections, and many other visitors do the same.

Map – Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok

How to get to Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak is in the north of Bangkok and easy to reach by public transport. There are three stations right next to the market.
BTS Mo Chit (Exit 1): The most popular option. From the exit, just follow the crowds, and you’ll reach the market entrance in a few minutes.
MRT Chatuchak Park (Exit 1): This station is directly below Mo Chit and brings you to the eastern side of the market.
MRT Kamphaeng Phet (Exit 2): One stop further, and our tip for anyone on the MRT. The exit leads straight into the market, so you don’t have to cross any roads.
A taxi or Grab from Sukhumvit costs roughly 150 to 300 baht, depending on traffic. On weekend mornings, the train is usually faster.

Tip: Or Tor Kor Market is right across the road from Chatuchak. It’s one of the best fresh markets in Bangkok and a great place for tropical fruit.

Chatuchak Opening Hours

Despite the name, parts of Chatuchak are open during the week. The full market with all its sections is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, so plan your visit for a weekend.

On Friday evenings there is a wholesale session from around 6 pm to midnight, when only part of the stalls are open. On Wednesdays and Thursdays only the plant and flower section opens.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

The choice of amazing places for where to stay in Bangkok is huge! If you are still looking for a suitable place to stay, we can give you a few tips along the way…It’s worth a look!

Hotel with Skybar: The Amara Bangkok Hotel is a 4-star hotel that spoils its guests with a fantastic infinity pool and one of the coolest sky bars in Bangkok!
Cheap Hostel: The Tamni Hostel is a cool choice for backpackers. Thanks to the proximity to the subway, the Chatuchak weekend market is also very easy to reach!
Luxury with Infinity Pool: The Avani + Riverside Bangkok Hotel inspires with a rooftop bar, a beautiful pool and a wonderful location directly on the river!

Conclusion: Is Chatuchak Weekend Market Worth It?

If you’re in Bangkok on a weekend, Chatuchak is worth a visit, even if you don’t plan to buy much. Walking through the lanes and watching the vendors is an experience of its own, and you’ll see a side of Bangkok that feels very different from the big shopping malls. We ended up with more fashion in our bags than planned, plus a few souvenirs for home, and the matcha break in between was just what we needed on a hot afternoon.

Our advice is to arrive at 9 am, when it’s still cooler and the lanes are less crowded. Decide beforehand which sections interest you most, because you won’t manage to see everything in one day. Bring enough cash and leave some room in your suitcase. The easiest way to get there is the MRT to Kamphaeng Phet, where Exit 2 takes you straight into the market.

More about Bangkok:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.