Bangkok weekend market guide: Chatuchak and the alternatives
A Bangkok weekend market is a Saturday or Sunday institution, and the city has several kinds: the giant one at Chatuchak, the serious food market next door, canal-side markets in Thonburi that only wake up at weekends, and a village market in the green lung across the river. Here they are by area, with what each one is good for.
Chatuchak: the big one
Chatuchak Weekend Market is the reason most people come. Roughly 15,000 stalls across numbered sections sell clothes, ceramics, plants, pets, antiques, vintage denim and every kind of snack. It is open-air, hot and crowded by late morning, so arrive early, pick two or three sections and stop for coconut ice cream when you flag. The clock tower in the middle is the meeting point when you lose each other, which you will.
A few tips: the plant section trades on weekdays too, the vintage and antiques rows are towards the Kamphaeng Phet side, and the sois (lanes) are numbered inside each section. The Chatuchak guide goes into the layout.
Or Tor Kor: the food market
Across the road from Chatuchak, Or Tor Kor is a covered fresh market run by the agricultural cooperative, and it is where Bangkok cooks go for the best produce: durian in season, mangoes, curry pastes, dried seafood and a food court with regional dishes. It runs daily, but it pairs naturally with a Chatuchak weekend. Kamphaeng Phet MRT comes up right beside it.
Thonburi: the floating markets
The famous floating markets are hours outside the city. Bangkok has smaller, more local ones in Taling Chan on the Thonburi side, and they run at weekends only.
Khlong Lat Mayom is the best of them: a tree-shaded canal market where boats grill prawns and fish, long tables sit by the water and stalls sell Thai sweets, orchids and snacks. It is popular with Bangkok families rather than tour groups. Taling Chan floating market is nearby and smaller, with boat trips along the canals. Both need a taxi from Bang Khun Non MRT.
Bang Krachao: Bang Nam Phueng
On the loop of river called Bang Krachao, the weekend market at Bang Nam Phueng is the reason to cycle out: local food, herbal drinks, plants and crafts under a canopy of trees. Rent a bike at the pier and ride between the market and the park. The Bang Krachao guide explains the ferry crossings.
Other weekend options
- Chang Chui, the creative park with the airliner in Thonburi, runs its markets and gigs mainly from Thursday to Sunday; check the programme.
- Jodd Fairs Ratchada runs nightly, but weekends are when the crowds and the full line-up of stalls show up. See the night markets guide.
- ArtBox, the shipping-container design market, moves location every season, so search the map for its current site.
- Sampeng and Phahurat are daily wholesale markets, but weekends are quieter for browsing. The Phahurat guide covers them.
Getting there
- Chatuchak: Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT; Kamphaeng Phet MRT for the south side and Or Tor Kor.
- Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan: Bang Khun Non MRT, then a taxi; both are weekend-only.
- Bang Nam Phueng: cross-river ferry from Khlong Toei pier or Bang Na, then cycle.
- Chang Chui: taxi from Bang Khun Non MRT.
Go early at any of them. By noon Chatuchak is at its hottest and the floating markets have sold out of the good fish.