Saturday morning, and my fourth day in Bangkok.
Chatuchak (or Jatujak) is the all known weekend open market in Bangkok and I’m living just 4 BTS stops away from this place.
All I’ve heard is that if you want to shop, especially clothes, this is the place to come. Although I’ve had mixed reviews from friends about this place as the prices of goods have gone up since it became a tourist destination, I still say its worth the visit, even though you’re not the shopping sort.
*Some how that didn’t last too long as I did end up purchasing a few items.
Chatuchak (or Jatujak) is the all known weekend open market in Bangkok and I’m living just 4 BTS stops away from this place.
All I’ve heard is that if you want to shop, especially clothes, this is the place to come. Although I’ve had mixed reviews from friends about this place as the prices of goods have gone up since it became a tourist destination, I still say its worth the visit, even though you’re not the shopping sort.
*Some how that didn’t last too long as I did end up purchasing a few items.
Dead croc skins are a bit of a put-off.
Chatuchak is the world’s largest weekend market. It is spread across 35 acres and has more than 15,000 stalls! It operates on the weekends primarily as Friday is set for wholesale trade only. The easiest way to get there is by hopping onto the BTS to Mo Chit station. It’s just a 5 minutes walk to the markets and you won’t miss it as the street leading up to it is filled with little stalls and the crowd movement indicates where it is.
Oh, did I mention that the entire market is a smoke free zone? The fine for smoking in this 35 acre spread is 2000 Baht.
Oh, did I mention that the entire market is a smoke free zone? The fine for smoking in this 35 acre spread is 2000 Baht.
The many alley ways. Watch out for your wallets!
I clearly was overwhelmed with the amount of shops they have in this place. It’s amazing! The entire spread is divided into sections, which then dive into lanes. So you would have a sign saying Section 2, Soi 12 (Soi means side street) just to give you a point of reference. This is of course only on the main street. Once in the sections, as they are joint together, I didn’t know where of which section I walked into. It’s easy to get lost and loose your friends as within the lanes, there are no clear signs of where you are!
If you see something you like in one stall, get it! You won’t be coming back and if you didn’t register where the stall is located, you’ll never find it so easily, specially if you’ve navigated within the sections.
Get there and you’ll understand.
If you see something you like in one stall, get it! You won’t be coming back and if you didn’t register where the stall is located, you’ll never find it so easily, specially if you’ve navigated within the sections.
Get there and you’ll understand.
Super kitsch.
Music changed from one area to another, with one shouting of fresh coconuts, together with the smell of fresh onion and garlic being fried to be suddenly welcomed by whiffs of sewage… was a complete and utter overwhelming sensation for my senses to process. It’s just simply amazing how rows and rows of clothing stall have food stalls placed in between. In the mix of all this you’ll find stalls selling potted plants and incense stalls. This is one organised chaotic mess.
Sections 1-4 some how have a little sky light area and are filled with ‘pretty’ stalls. These stalls have a nice planned interior with fashion catering to the now generation. It’s mostly designed by local up-and-coming designers hence the look and feel of the place is pleasing to the eye. The t-shirt designs are really cool, especially the prints. I would say they are some of the best items to purchase!
No, I’m not going to shop is what I told myself. 1 hour into it I got myself a little sling bag. Temptations are hard to resist, especially if you get a really good bargain on good quality stuff! They have all sorts of stuff, from really quirk jewellery to shoes and leatherwear. Bargaining is a bit tough if you’re only purchasing one item. They are used to selling in bulk so if you buy more, perhaps you’d have better luck getting the prices down. Good place to buy presents… gives you a chance to buy in bulk!
One thing about these markets is that you get from really good quality items to really bad quality too. So its good to know how much one should pay for good and cheap quality items.
One thing about these markets is that you get from really good quality items to really bad quality too. So its good to know how much one should pay for good and cheap quality items.
Food stalls in between boutiques.
A little food stall at the back of section 3 gave much needed rest to my poor aching legs, plus Meco and I were starving. The stall was a decent size with an impressive interior given the fact it was a small place and comparing it to its other competitors, this one was pretty nice. Our ice teas came in tall bamboo cups dressed with an Orchid. The food was good too.
The fan… the all mighty fan is god sent. This food stall has a fan, another reason why we picked this place, as the midday heat was becoming unbearable.
The afternoon sun, 200,000 people and small lanes is not a good combination at all so finding a place with a fan is just amazing.
The fan… the all mighty fan is god sent. This food stall has a fan, another reason why we picked this place, as the midday heat was becoming unbearable.
The afternoon sun, 200,000 people and small lanes is not a good combination at all so finding a place with a fan is just amazing.
We managed to observe people a little, or at least I did. The old and the young, at the market on the weekend. Some kids were helping their parents, some were made to exercise their math skills by being behind the ‘tilt’ or as I’ve seen, ‘behind’ the cash bucket. The poor take the opportunity to beg that is all too common.
But Chatuchak is one experience not to miss, but do mind your bags and wallets at all times as pickpockets are known to lurk here.
But Chatuchak is one experience not to miss, but do mind your bags and wallets at all times as pickpockets are known to lurk here.
"hmm…20B plus 15B… do I have enough change?"
As the sunset, we took a stroll into the park across from Chatuchak.
It’s rather small and cramped with people as we walked in. It even has a little lake in the middle. As we carried on walking the park seemed to grow wider. Before I could say anything I heard a whistle going off.
Looking around I found everyone standing still and a soft music going on in the background. I’m tempted to move but decided best not too as I soon realised it was the nation anthem. If you’re seated, the park guards would make sure you are up and paying your respect. Here I had Meco wanting to carry on walking!
The park gets bigger and wider towards the end and the people thin out. The only people you get are those working out, yes they do have machines to build those muscles and even weights, or running in the park. If you don’t mind the pigeons pooping on you and having squirrels run around, then this park might just be a good stroll after the madness of Chatuchak.
It’s rather small and cramped with people as we walked in. It even has a little lake in the middle. As we carried on walking the park seemed to grow wider. Before I could say anything I heard a whistle going off.
Looking around I found everyone standing still and a soft music going on in the background. I’m tempted to move but decided best not too as I soon realised it was the nation anthem. If you’re seated, the park guards would make sure you are up and paying your respect. Here I had Meco wanting to carry on walking!
The park gets bigger and wider towards the end and the people thin out. The only people you get are those working out, yes they do have machines to build those muscles and even weights, or running in the park. If you don’t mind the pigeons pooping on you and having squirrels run around, then this park might just be a good stroll after the madness of Chatuchak.
I had a pretty good Saturday at the markets with Meco. Lots of walking, people watching and window-shopping. We didn’t spend a whole day here, just a few hours. I can’t imagine spending a whole day here, I won’t last; but if you love to shop, this place might be a paradise for you if you don’t mind the heat.
Chatuchak in a nutshell is an organised chaotic mess of smells, sounds, sights and things. Having said that, I adore this place! Its perfect place for gathering all the things you need for a costume party, cheap!
View gallery for more photographs.
Chatuchak in a nutshell is an organised chaotic mess of smells, sounds, sights and things. Having said that, I adore this place! Its perfect place for gathering all the things you need for a costume party, cheap!
View gallery for more photographs.
RSS Feed