Bangkok ~ Wholesale Markets (Part 2 – Chatuchak Weekend Market)

Bangkok is a well known "shopping wonderland" for both men and women and its fashion industry plays a crucial role towards the country's economy.  

You will find all designs of apparels from head to toe, formal to casual, modern to traditional at reasonable prices. 

In some places like Platinum Fashion Mall and night markets, you will find most of the stalls selling their products in 2-tier pricing, i.e. at the normal retail price (if you are buying 1-2 pieces) and the wholesale price (usually minimum 3 pieces). If you know how to bargain, you may get a wholesale price even if you buy only one or two items.

In this post, we will talk about wholesale markets.

Top 2 wholesale markets in Bangkok are:

        1) Pratunam market

        2) Chatuchak weekend market

Pratunam market was covered in Part 1 and Chatuchak weekend market will be covered in Part 2.

Part 2: Chatuchak Market (also known as JJ Market)

Chatuchak weekend market is very popular among traders. It has reached a landmark status as a must-visit place for tourists.

It has more than 8,000 stalls in a 35-acre area of Chatuchak. These stalls are selling clothes, accessories, foods and beverages, flowers, toys, books, kitchenware, furniture and even live animals. Its sheer size and diverse collections of stuff attracts more than 200,000 visitors every day on weekend.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is divided into 27 sections:

Section 1: Amulets, books, collectibles, food shops. café

Section 2 to 4: Collectibles, home décor, paintings, terra cotta

Section 5 to 6: Clothes, adornments, miscellaneous products

Section 7 to 9: Antiques, furniture, ceramics, handicrafts

Section 10 to 24: Clothes, adornments, household appliances, consumer products, pets

Section 17 to 19: Ceramics, fresh and dry foods

Section 22 to 26: Antiques, furniture, handicrafts

Section 27: Books, foods and dessert shops, collectibles.

Operating hours:

6am to 6pm 

~ Wed and Thurs: Plants and flowers

~ Fri: Wholesale day

~ Sat and Sun: Miscellaneous

Best time to go

As early as possible!

The market is so huge that you may spend up to a full day to explore the entire market (without looking backward the passed-by stalls).So it is better to arrive as early as possible to avoid missing any part the market and the crowd in the afternoon.

How much?

Same like Pratunam market, you must BARGAIN hard to get the cheapest price. You may try to reduce 50% of the quoted price if you have no idea of the price.

How to get here:

Chatuchak market is located near Chatuchak Park. It is easily accessed through BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit station, Exit 1 or through MRT to Chatuchak Park station or Kamphaengpecth station.

If you are coming from Khao San Road area, you may stop by at BTS Chit Lom and walk around 10 minutes towards Phra Arthit pier of Chao Phraya Express. Then, take an Express Ferry to Sathorn / Central Pier (THB15). You will find the BTS Skytrain Taksin / Central Pier station nearby the pier. Take a ride to BTS Skytrain Mo Chit station (THB40).

Note：

1) Chatuchak Market is unbelievable HUGE. Always have a Chatuchak Market map with you.

(Tips: if you like a stall, take note of the stall number and location so you can come back, otherwise, you will find yourself lost in the “forest”).

OR, if you like the stuff so much, buy that stuff IMMEDIATELY.

2) Wear comfort clothes and short pants (if possible) as the weather is so hot and imagine you have to walk under the sun for the whole day.

3) Be careful of theft and pickpocketing.

4) It is okay if you forgot to bring your water bottle. You will find stalls selling foods and beverages everywhere so no worries about thirstiness.

5) Toilets: Near the entry/exit gates. THB2 per entry.

Where to stay?

For those who wish to visit Chatuchak Weekend Market, you may choose to stay at hotels near to BTS Skytrain or MRT stations such as Satron/Silom, Siam or Sukhumvit.

www.hotelscombined.com

Recommended hotels:

Silom/Satron

1) Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

       ~ Price: min. USD79 or THB2,592
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

2) Mode Sathorn Hotel Managed by Siam@Siam

       ~ Price: min. USD66 or THB2,124
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

Siam

1) Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa

       ~ Price: min. USD79 or THB2,549
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

2) Mercure Bangkok Siam Hotel

       ~ Price: min. USD58 or THB1,890
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

3) The Sukosol

       ~ Price: min. USD63 or THB2,040
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

4) Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel

       ~ Price: min. USD42 or THB1,360
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

Sukhumvit

1) Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21

       ~ Price: min. USD98 or THB3,185
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

2) Viva Garden Serviced Residence

       ~ Price: min. USD60 or THB1,954
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!

3) Grand Swiss Sukhumvit 11 Hotel by Compass Hospitality

       ~ Price: min. USD56 or THB1,843

4) S50 Sukhumvit Hotel

       ~ Price: min. USD28 or THB935
       ~ Check the latest hotel rate here!