Last updated on February 4th, 2024 at 05:20 pm

The Quick Guide to Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market if You’re Short on Time…

If you want to check out Chatuchak (or Jatujak also JJ Market; Thai: จตุจักร) in Bangkok and you don’t have a lot of time, I’m going to show you where you should go to pick up unique Thai handmade souvenirs, eat delicious Thai street food and of course shop to your heart’s content.

There are an estimated 15,000 stalls within 27 zones as stated in Wikipedia. Chances are you don’t have time to go through all of them.

In this post, I’m going to save you some time by showing you the best parts of Chatuchak Weekend Market so you don’t need to walk the entire market.

Even if you’ve just come back from a short day trip from Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong markets or any other day trip from Bangkok.

Because JJ Market is such a huge sprawling weekend market you can easily run around like a headless chicken. Who wants to get lost and miss the good parts?

You’re not. Because you’re going to know the best parts of JJ Market and why it’s one of the best outdoor shopping experiences Bangkok has to offer.

Here’s the Breakdown

The biggest weekend market in Thailand is organized into 27 zones. Below you will find one of the best maps of Chatuchak Weekend Market I found on the internet.

But Here’s a Few Chatuchak Weekend Market Travel Tips from the Wayfaring Soul:

• It’s best to visit Chatuchak around 10 am when most of the shop owners open their doors. Plus it’ll be a bit cooler and less crowded. There’s another reason why you want to get there early.
• The best time to get a discount is when the shop just opened up for business. Thai business owners are very superstitious. They believe the first sale of the day is the most important. They will take the cash you gave them and brush it all over their products. In hopes that a day of good sales and profits are on the way.
• Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate more. If you can’t visit Chatuchak early in the day it can get very hot. Walking around 35°C (95°F) with hordes of sweaty tourists is not fun. It’s only 10B for a small bottle of water so there is no reason to not take in plenty of fluids.

The Do Not Miss Areas Inside JJ Market

Remember, Chatuchak Weekend Market is divided into 27 zones. Each zone specializes in the items and goods sold. If you don’t know where you’re going it’s very easy to get lost. Because every nook and corner can look the same. You can find plenty of maps online or at Thai tourist info centers.

That said, here are the must-see zones I highly recommend if you don’t have a lot of time to explore JJ Market:

• Zone #2 is the bohemian/hipster chic zone inside the market. Once you take a look at this section and a look at all the others you will not only see zone #2 is different, but also feels different!
• Zone #5 and #6 are the used clothes section but you can also find some new clothing items too. You will see brand-name jeans for sale in that area. However, I can not confirm if the jeans are counterfeit or not. But they sure do look real and high quality also.

As you can see on the map, zones #2, #5 and #6 are all on the same side of the market. If you walked from zone #2 to zone #6 it would only take 30 minutes. That is if you don’t stop and check out the goodies. Good luck with that.

The Closest Train Station to Chatuchak Weekend Market is Kamphaeng Phet MRT

I recommend starting off at zone #2 simply because the Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station is practically right next to zone #2. Just be sure to use subway station Exit 2.

Get Ready to Shop and Drop in Bangkok

Zone #2 nearby has gone through a sort of transformation. It’s like a hipster’s paradise filled with small boutique shops started by enterprising Thai designers living in Bangkok.

Now if you take a good look at the map below, you will see many other sections also selling clothes and Thai handicrafts, particularly right in the center of Chatuchak.

Zone #2 is the top spot for finding Thai handmade souvenirs in Chatuchak at reasonable prices. It’s also the best place to buy unique graphic t-shirts and even shoes, both brand new or second-hand.

I know a lot of Japanese tourists love searching for second items inside JJ Market, specifically vintage clothes and accessories. And some come to find stock to resell back in their home country.

Now I’m not saying the rest of Chatuchak is not worth visiting. No way. I love the whole market. It’s just that if you don’t have a lot of time and you don’t want to sweat buckets when it’s hot you just want to see the best part.

Zone #2 is where you’ll want to go if you don’t have a lot of time to visit Chatuchak Market.

There are just so many unique little treasures located in Chatuchak’s Zone #2 that I don’t even know how I can ever list them all. So it’s best if you go there and check them out for yourself. You just might find something you’re going to fall in love with.

And I recommend that if you see it, it’s best to just buy it. As long as it fits in your budget of course. Because the worst thing you can do is get back on that plane and regretting you never bought it.

Finally, items in zone 2 are a bit more expensive compared to the rest of JJ Market because the items are a little more unique.

You are allowed to bargain but please don’t be so aggressive. And don’t try and lowball the shopkeepers because they do work hard and have bills to pay.

A Short Glimpse of Chatuchak Weekend Market

If You Love Denim You’ll love Zone #5 and #6

In this zone, you will find used clothing, particularly denim. You can also find stalls selling brand-name jeans as well with labels. Now I don’t know if it’s fake or genuine. But the prices are not so cheap. I think the jeans inside were probably overage stock, or didn’t pass quality control from jean-producing factories around Thailand.

Even though Bangkok is hot and humid throughout the year Thai locals love denim wear. New or used it doesn’t matter. If it looks good on them and the price is right they have to have a pair of jean pants or jacket.

Prices for clothes in this zone are reasonable though there is space to get discounts as long as you buy more items.

But you’re also going to see a lot of military-style clothing, shoes (new and used), and all sorts of other second-hand clothing items. You might even find brand-name clothing too. But again, if they are fakes I honestly wouldn’t know.

Getting a Quick Bite inside Chatuchak Market

If you still have some time for a quick bite to eat, there’s a small shop selling to die for Chinese-style roast pork. It’s one of the best roast pork I’ve ever had. Even better than the ones I’ve had in Hong Kong! If you don’t like pork they also sell awesome fried chicken wings too!

Though there are many Thai restaurants within JJ Weekend Market it’s best to head over to Aor Tor Gor Farmer’s Market for their awesome food court. Aor Tor Gor is also the most popular fruit market in the city where you’ll find the best Durian money can buy in Bangkok.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is an incredible place filled with lots to see, eat, and of course shop. But if you don’t have a lot of time to spend there then just checking out the areas I’ve mentioned on this blog is going to give you the full experience to remember in Bangkok.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

• Where to Stay in Bangkok for First Visit
• Best Hotels Near MBK Shopping Center
• Best Hotels Near Pratunam Shopping District
• Best Hotels in Huai Khwang District
• Best Bangkok Chinatown Hotels