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Chatuchak Weekend Market

Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief

Country: Thailand

The Experience

It's quite possible that the saying shop till you drop originated from the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok. Sprawling over 35 acres and comprised of an estimated 5,000 - 9,000 vendors, Chatuchak is a bargain hunters dream come true. If you’re not entirely accustomed to bartering, Chatuchak is the perfect environment to develop your skills. The best method is a respectful and pleasant demeanor, with a hint of unworried confidence. Any and everything you can imagine for sale can be found here. Plants, apparel, furniture, art, food, jewelry, pets, crafts and the list goes on and on. Over 400,000 people wind through this maze of merchandise in Thailand every weekend, making it the largest in the world. Half the fun is roaming aimlessly and finding yourself amongst some unknown custom designed graphic T's or exotic handy crafts. If you’re looking for something specific you can grab a map from one of the information booths, which loosely groups the vendors by product. Amidst the organized chaos the bargains abound, the food is delectable and the atmosphere one of a kind.

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Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak is open from 8am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday. The skytrain is an easy and cool option for transportation, take it to Mochit Station, the last stop northbound. You can also take the subway and get off at Chatuchak Park station. If your not one for public transport you can grab a tuk tuk or taxi.

Odds n' Ends

To say the market is crowded is an understatement, so the earlier you go the better. This will also help in avoiding the heat. If it's raining when you visit, you might want to rethink this experience for another time. The the lane ways used to navigate the stalls don't have the best drainage and can flood easily above your ankles. Something to consider if your not big on dirty, wet, crowded, hot, shopping. There are a few ATM's within the market, but its best to bring cash to avoid trying to track one down. Few vendors accept credit cards.

Want a Guide?

Bangkok To Hanoi Adventure - GAPAdventures.com
From the hectic streets of Bangkok to the tranquil charm of Luang Prabang, and the timelessness of Vientiane, this is a memorable introduction to a land that is a treasure trove of history and culture. Experience this wondrous journey of an unforgettable area.

More Experiences Nearby

Ward Off Evil at Ta Prachan Amulet Market in Bangkok
Religious amulets, charms, figures and talismans are sold throughout the streets of Thailand, and the largest concentration of these can be found at the Bangkok's Amulet Market. The entrance to Ta Prachan Amulet Market is well hidden, and there are no signs, so look for the crowds of people at the stalls located in a long and narrow alley across from Wat Mahathat, between Thalon Maharat and the Chao Phraya River. As you walk through Bangkok's Amulet Market, there are stalls on both sides of the alley displaying their wares. Along the way, you will see “experts” examining the amulets ...5 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Thailand Travel Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
Thailand blends the exotic with modern convenience: Bangkok is a gleaming city with a robust traditional cuisine and a culture of devout Buddhism, while the ancient city of Chiang Mai is spa central. When you're done lapping all that up, move on to cloudy mountains or lounge around on the pearlescent sand of those famous beaches.
Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2009: 850 Trends, Destinations, Journeys & Experiences for the Year Ahead
Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips (Hardcover)
No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.

Elsewhere on the Web

Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand - GuideToThailand.com
Map of Chatuchak
Chatuchak Market Bangkok - Bangkok.com
Covering 70 rai (35 acres) of land with over 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the mother of all markets - and possibly one of the biggest and most famous markets in the world.
Chatuchak - Weekend Market - ThaiWave.com
Everyone seems to love a bargain and there are plenty to be had at Chatuchak Weekend Market, a happening that occurs in Bangkok every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Media References

In Bangkok, A Carnival Of Bargains - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
The granddaddy of Bangkok markets, the Chatuchak Weekend Market, is spread across 30 acres along the superhighway leading north to Bangkok's international airport, and every Friday evening more than 2,000 merchants arrive to unpack their wares for a weekend of hard selling that begins at 6 the next morning.
The Best Cultural Experiences - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
It's a full-contact sport in Thailand and there are a variety of venues where you can pickup anything from fine local crafts, weaving, and jewelry to top brand-name items (or copies thereof).

Language Guides

Japanese , Lao , Malay , Mandarin , Thai , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Thailand. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

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