Chatuchak in Bangkok - weekend market, what to buy and how to bargain

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Chatuchak or weekend market in Bangkok is located in the north of the capital. The Thais will proudly tell you that Chatuchak is the biggest market in the world. Such claims should not be disputed. Respect the owners and their opinion, be friendly, and shopping will bring you not only pleasure, but also purchases at affordable prices. Everything is for sale here!

What can be purchased

The Thais say: “Everything that is in Thailand, you can buy on Chatuchak”. There are many things of Thai production, including fakes of world brands, furniture, jewelry, food. Souvenirs, electronics, silk, antiques, toys - just a small list of what you can buy.

Chatuchak is famous for its favorable prices. Even large stores that have their own branches in the market sell goods cheaper than in a shopping center.

Chatuchak is located on eleven hectares of land. It looks like a multi-kilometer labyrinth. Hundreds of alleys and lanes cross trade pavilions built in the form of concentric rings. Every weekend more than 200,000 people visit it, and a third of them are foreigners.

You may get the impression that a time machine has taken you to a medieval bazaar. The unceasing hum of human speech and a variety of animal voices, numerous shopping streets and crossroads, where more than 15,000 tents are located.

If you decide to visit the Chatuchak market for the first time, then leave valuables and bags with long straps at the hotel - there are a lot of scammers and thieves in the market. Please note that you will hardly find cashless payments on the market. There are ATMs, but they are few and hard to find.

The market is open only on weekends, from 6 am to 6 pm. Souvenir shops open closer to ten o'clock in the morning. On Friday evening the market is open, only with wholesale buyers.

On Wednesday and Thursday there is trade, but different. Looking at Chatuchak these days, you will plunge into the sea of flowers - the flower market is open.

Chatuchak is also famous all over the world for the fact that you can buy live goods here. These are exotic animals, including endangered species, the capture and sale of which is prohibited by the laws of all countries of the world. Bangkok is commonly referred to as the unofficial capital of the wildlife trade. Of course, you will not see a tiger or a crocodile on the counter. But you can buy everything, if you have money, but you can’t export it.

Even just walking along the northwestern part of Chatuchak, where the bird market is located, is also worth it. It will be more interesting than any of our zoos. Here, in free sale, you can see American beauties - macaw parrots, hornbills, owls, iguanas. Rare species of fish swim in aquariums. And even little bear cubs took refuge on the sidelines. Prices for live goods are different. They can vary depending on the species, ranging from a few dollars to tens of thousands for a rare animal. Many of the cages have signs in Thai and English saying "No photography!"

If your plans include buying flowers for planting, please note that the export of land from Thailand is prohibited. Make sure that the roots of the purchased plants are in a special nutrient mixture.

How to get there

If you are vacationing in Pattaya:

  • You get by bus from the Pattaya bus station to the old terminal of the northern bus station Mo Chit (Mo Chit) Bangkok. From here, a five-minute walk to the market, it is located opposite. You can, of course, take a taxi, but it's expensive.

If you are in Bangkok, then you have much more options:

  • MRT metro, underground metro is the easiest, fastest and most reliable way. You should get to Chatuchak Park station, exit #1 and #2.
  • BTS Skytrain or Airline to Mo Chit Stop - Exit #1 or #3.
  • Comfortable air-conditioned buses or regular buses.
  • Taxi. It is enough for the driver to show the map of the market or say: "Suan Chatuchak".
  • Exotic tuk-tuk - auto rickshaw.

From any of the metro or bus stops, you can easily get to Chatuchak - there are signs everywhere.

Chatuchak market on Bangkok map

Come to the market early, the best time is Saturday morning around ten o'clock. Firstly, it is not so hot in the morning. Secondly, there are fewer people.

When choosing a mode of transportation, it is worth considering the presence of traffic and traffic jams, especially on weekends.

By noon, the number of people increases, and closer to fourteen or fifteen, it is no longer crowded. There will be even more people on Sunday.

How to navigate

It's easy to get lost on Chatuchak. Therefore, for orientation, you need a map of the market. It can be found in a special information center for tourist services. It is located on Pahon Yutin Street. This is a small building about a ten minute walk south from BTS and MRT stations. When entering the market at special points, you will also be offered a free Chatuchak card.

Consider it carefully. The market is conditionally divided into 27 sections of different colors. Each section contains a group of goods of a certain type. When moving between rows, from time to time check the number of the site and the lane on the map. If you are traveling with a group, arrange a meeting point in case you get lost. Usually, the clock tower serves as such a landmark, it is impossible not to notice it.

Where to eat

If you want to sit and relax, have a bite to eat, use the services of the market catering. There are enough stalls, eateries, eateries with drinks and food throughout the market. Entire market rows are reserved for catering. Here you will be offered a huge selection of dishes. Basically, this is national cuisine, but there are also recipes brought from other cultures. The menu will satisfy every taste and appetite.

Thailand's folk fast food is widely represented on the market: fried noodles, barbecue, squid, rice in any form, soups, desserts and other goodies. Prices are also pleasantly surprised, you can eat for a penny. There are also restaurants. Here you will be served by a friendly waiter. The regulars here are Europeans.

Throughout the market you can find hawkers. They sell fruit slices, nuts, seeds. You can eat on the go. Both nutritious and beneficial. There are many promoters on Chatuchak who invite you to treat yourself to juices, gum, cola and other drinks. In half of the kiosks, among other goods, water is necessarily sold. With the Thai heat, this is more relevant than ever.

How to shop the right way

  • If you want to get a big discount, be the first or last buyer of this tray. Thais are sure that this is how they bring good luck to their business.
  • Be sure to memorize a few phrases in Thai from the phrase book, although everyone in the market understands English. This will attract the seller to you and provide pleasant discounts.
  • If you like the item, buy immediately. You should not walk, think, you will not find the way back. And the prices are low everywhere.
  • If you came for something specific, orient yourself on the map, select the desired sector and do not waste time in vain.
  • In Thailand, it is not customary to advertise your commercial affairs, so do not talk too loudly with the seller.
  • Approaching the seller, put on your widest smile and tune in the most friendly, benevolent, respectful way. And you get discounts!
  • Be sure to bargain. Do not bargain in the Asian market - do not respect yourself. The first price announced by the seller is probably overpriced several times. Feel free to divide the amount in half and start bargaining to an acceptable price. Do it gently, with humor, slowly, so as not to pass for an arrogant white miser.
  • If an agreement is not reached, thank you and leave with the same smile. You, for sure, will be hailed, and will agree with your price. In Thailand, they try to make money from the rapid circulation of the money supply.
  • For an amount less than 30 baht, do not bargain, this will offend the seller. Do not try to underestimate the price too much, everyone wants to earn.
  • If you don't get the discount you want, don't be upset, don't get into an argument with the seller. The market is huge - you will find the thing you need at an affordable price.
  • It is worth considering that in some kiosks prices may be fixed. Bargaining is also not accepted in food outlets.

Make it a rule to bargain everywhere and always, of course, with the exception of shopping centers and spas.

Chatuchak is a city within a city, and there are many unusual places. In the market, you can not only buy everything you need and want, but also travel with adventures.

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