Chatuchak Weekend Market: shopping, food and how to get there
Contents
Chatuchak is Bangkok's great weekend market: more than 8,000 stalls in 27 sections, selling everything from clothes and ceramics to orchids, antiques and old books.[1] Come on a Saturday or Sunday for the full market, or on a weekday if plants are what you are after.
The market grew out of a government initiative from 1938 to create a central market for the people. It first operated at Sanam Luang before moving to its permanent home in the Chatuchak district. Every weekend it fills with Bangkok locals, visitors from other provinces and tourists from around the world, all there to shop, hunt for collectibles or simply wander.[2] Bring a short list and a few free hours, and let the lanes do the rest.
When to go
| What | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Weekend market | Saturday and Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00, with some zones already open on Friday afternoon[2] |
| Plant and flower shops | Tuesday to Thursday, 07:00 to 18:00; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 05:00 to 24:00[1] |
Entry is free. To avoid the worst of the heat, come between 09:00 and 11:00 or after 16:00.[2]
Things to Do
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What you will find
Between the stalls you find clothes, bags, home decorations, ceramics, handicrafts and souvenirs, as well as food and drinks, antiques, collectibles and old books.[1]
Plants are a highlight: the market's plant and flower shops are the largest in Bangkok.[1] The Plants and Pet Zone is the place for orchids and rare plants, and it has pets from across the country too. Art and antiques have a zone of their own, with paintings, vintage posters and porcelain, and the fashion zone sells clothes and accessories from independent designers.[2]
The market is vast and maze-like, so take a photo of the layout at the entrance and note the section or stall number of anything you like.[2] Look closely before you buy: check fabric, fit and finish on clothes, and condition and weight on ceramics. Ask before you photograph a stall's goods.
Getting there
The BTS has a direct walkway into the market: get off at Mo Chit station and take Exit 1. The MRT stop at Kamphaeng Phet station, Exit 2, is the convenient choice for the Plants and Pet Zone.[2]
You can also take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Kiak Kai Pier and continue by taxi for about 10 to 15 minutes, or reach the market by bus on routes 3, 26, 96, 104, 122, 134, 136, 145, 157 and 509. By car or taxi, there is parking at the market's car park and in Chatuchak Park opposite.[2] Planning more of your trip? Our Thailand travel overview shows how Bangkok fits in with the rest of the country.
Bargaining and paying
Ask the price first and compare similar items at a couple of stalls. If you are buying several things from one seller, you can politely ask for a better price.
Bring cash in small notes, because not every stall takes cards. For an expensive or fragile piece, ask for a receipt and agree on the packaging before you pay.
Eating, resting and meeting up
The Food Zone serves Thai street food, traditional sweets, spicy Isaan dishes and trendy drinks.[2] If you have allergies, ask the vendor what is in a dish.
The market is big and the heat builds, so wear breathable clothes, a sun hat and comfortable shoes, and carry drinking water. There are restrooms and parking.[1] Agree on a meeting point before you split up; Gate 1, the main entrance, is an easy one to name.[2]
Taking bulky purchases home
Found a lamp, a ceramic set or a large plant? Ask the seller whether they can pack it or arrange delivery, and get a quote for your item and destination before you pay. Ask about the packed weight, insurance and tracking, and compare the total with carrying it yourself.
Check your home country's import rules before you buy plants, antiques or anything else that may be restricted, and keep the seller's details and the agreed terms with your receipt.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Chatuchak Weekend Market. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [2] Thailand 2026 Annual Meetings: Chatuchak Market (15 August 2025). Retrieved October 20, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full market, go on a Saturday or Sunday: it is open from 09:00 to 18:00, and some zones already open on Friday afternoon. The plant and flower shops also open from Tuesday to Thursday, 07:00 to 18:00, so a weekday visit works if plants are your goal.
The plant and flower shops are open from Tuesday to Thursday, 07:00 to 18:00, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 05:00 to 24:00.
No, entry is free. You only pay for what you buy and eat.
Take the BTS to Mo Chit and use Exit 1, which has a direct walkway into the market. The MRT stop is Kamphaeng Phet, Exit 2, the convenient exit for the Plants and Pet Zone.
A few hours are enough for a first visit if you start with a short list. The market is too big to see every stall, so pick a few things you want to find and wander from there.
The market is vast and maze-like. Take a photo of the layout at the entrance, note the section or stall number of anything you like and save the seller's contact details. Ask before you photograph a stall's goods.
Ask the price first, compare similar items and ask politely for a better price if you buy several things from one seller. Bring cash in small notes, because not every stall takes cards.
Ask the seller whether they can pack and ship the item, and get a quote for your item and destination with weight, insurance and tracking. Check your home country's import rules before you buy plants, antiques or other restricted items.
