How much do you like to shop?
Do you like it enough to peruse 15,000 stalls over 17 acres?
This was a fascinating experience for me and a nightmare for my husband (shopping outdoors with no air conditioning or husband/boyfriend seats – no bueno!) But I couldn’t go to Bangkok and not check out the famed Chatuchak market (also referred to as Jatujak) weekend market – it’s a good thing we both wore our Fit Flops!
A few things to note:
- It is almost impossible to find your way around in the market so make sure to set a meeting place with your group if you separate
- There isn’t a distinct store by store directory so wander around and let yourself be surprised
- It will likely be hot so bring water because you can’t be sure when you’ll come across a food stand
- Some things are grouped in one section (e.g. flowers) so look around the immediate area and you may find similar items
- If you like it, get it because you may not see it again (or at least go back to the stall) – thanks for the tip Ashleigh
We barely covered 5% of the market here because of the heat and crowds. Â But it was really cool to see the different items being sold on all ends of the spectrum.
Of course there are the requisite snacks here and there like mango topped with savory/spicy toppings and fresh coconut juice.
Flower and light stores like the first one above were also quite popular. Â You could buy so many varieties of fresh and silk flowers!
There were quite a few stalls selling handmade soaps with loofahs or other beauty products. Â Banana, jasmine rice, and lychee were popular scents!
There were also lovely jewelry pieces as well as pieces for home decor.
The puppies were a bit of a surprise but were so adorable (no pictures allowed and I think they were actually over 7000 BHT each (more than $200!)
Wow! They sell everything! We have an outside market here, but it is small in comparison. Those puppies are so cute! Thanks for showing us this. Amazing!
What a fabulous post =such stunning images! The next best thing to being there! I remember the chaos and hustle and bustle of Bangkok being unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before xo
Emma – well said – the hustle and bustle of a Bangkok street market is like none other!
p.s. I bet you would have loved some of the natural beauty products and essential oils!
Yesss…this is my kind of thing!! I would be there from the time it opened until it closed, hahah! I love markets. All the food and different things you can buy all in one place is so much fun!! Love those bangles, so pretty. Precious dogs :)) xx
Kizzy, I bet you could find some fab vintage goodies in this Thai market too!
Ohmigosh this sounds {and looks like} heaven! 🙂
that’s too overwhelming for me
It was overwhelming for me too but I’d go back and check out another section. Shopping in Thailand is just on another level!
This sounds like so much fun! I love wandering around open-air markets. Your photos remind me of the market we visited in Goa, though it sounds much, much bigger. My husband would not have lasted long in the heat either!
I absolutely love outdoor markets! I am salivating just looking at your pics! Beautiful photography too btw!
Thank you dear! I do love toting my camera around and capturing little moments. I bet you would have loved all the decor and homeware in this market!
How fascinating!Did you buy anything?
xoxo
Coco et La vie en rose
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Coco, I didn’t get anything but regret not picking up bangles and a few handmade natural oil soy candles!
My heart stopped on those super cute puppies!
oh wow, the market has most anything you could think of! i would definitely like to cruise the aisles for something to catch my eye. and i totally want to eat the mango/shrimp paste combo, mmm.
Jella, I bet you would have loved this market. There is inspiration everywhere and there are so many handmade goodies everywhere too!
Hi dear, how are you? I have missed you 🙂 I would love to spend a day or days perhaps in this vibrant marketplace, so many amazing things to see! Love the richness of your images.
wow oh wow!! this tickles me with such delight!!!
looks like a greta experience … i love reading ur travel posts!
xo
MOSAMUSE
http://www.MOSAMUSE.com
Thanks dear, more Thailand posts are in the works!
What a fantastic market!
I am completely obsessed with everything!!!! Very lovely and chic.
xoxo, Style Diaries, a Lifestyle Blog & Yum Diaries a Food Blog.
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I have such fond memories of this market. Some of our best Thailand treasures are from here but yeah, you said it – it’s hot as all get out!
This sounds like a really interesting place to shop, but I think I would have been like your husband. Seems a bit overwhelming. Until I saw the puppies…I would just hang with them the whole time.
Cheryl, I’m with you and was totally overwhelmed here. I did hang out with the puppies for a while. There were a few stalls of puppies and they were SO cute!
The colors are so vibrant! Love the bracelets..i bet there is great people watching there.
Colorful and beautiful. Love outdoor shopping. Beautiful pictures. Love the one with bangles, coconut water and puppies.:)
xx
Heel in Mint
I loved the bangles, coconut cutting and puppy pictures too. I was surprised I was able to quickly capture the coconut seller at work! I also regret not getting bangles!
[…] unbearable. Â It made my friends a little weary of doing any sightseeing. It made a brief visit to Chatuchak market very difficult. Â Basically, I didn’t get to do a lot in […]
[…] merchants collide. Â I’ve been to long winding street markets in Paris to the sprawling Chatuchak market in Bangkok. I may just add the street markets of San Francisco (well farmers markets) this year as […]
hello can i ask you where you buy artificial flower and soap at your photo in chatuchak ? i mean which section ? thanks
Hi Vivi, thanks for stopping by the blog and for your question. Unfortunately I can’t remember the section where we found the artificial flowers and soaps. I know we crossed just one alley to get to this section from the main entrance by the train though. It is also apparent when you get into the section because there are many soap and flower vendors. I hope you find what you are looking for there!