At first glance the overwhelming display might seem random, but there is some method behind the madness. The outer rim of the market usually features plants, gardening equipment and some used clothing, while the stalls in the inner sections deal in clothing, souvenir items, jewellery and household decor. Towards the back and north ends of the market is where most of the exotic plants, fish and other animal life is contained. New air-conditioned sections of the market have also appeared in recent years, giving tired shoppers a nice reprieve from the heat.
Near the Khamphaeng Phet MRT station are clothing, artwork and antique stalls.There is also the royally sponsored Phu Fa shop that sells handicrafts and some handsome items designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with proceeds from the sales going to fund development-based projects in rural parts of the country. To help you navigate the maze, free maps are available at a booth in the parking lot of Chatuchak (also called “JJ” by Thais) and the colourfully detailed Nancy Chandler Maps can be found at leading bookstores.
Besides a map, make sure you bring a bottle of water, a folding fan and your most diplomatic haggling skills. As a rule, the prices in Chatuchak are usually lower than at the other popular tourist markets such as Patpong and the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, and the quality is often substantially better, so it’s best to be a gracious haggler and keep it all in fun. Also, be careful when purchasing antiques as there are a number of fakes wafting around the market. To take a genuine antique out of the country requires a permit, but you will also need a permit if a fake is good enough to fool the customs officer.
To get the most out of a Chatuchak Market experience, head there early in the morning when the weather is a bit cooler and the crowds a lot lighter. The market is accessible from either the Mo Chit Skytrain station or the subway stops of either Chatuchak or Khamphaeng Phet.
Shopping hours: Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm; Fridays the market is open to wholesalers, but the public can shop as well. Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7am to 6pm the Garden Plants section is open.
