Bangkok neighbourhood: Chatuchak

Welcome to our Bangkok neighbourhood series!

In the second installment of our Bangkok neighbourhood series, we’ll take a closer look at Chatuchak.

Home to what is acclaimed as the world’s largest open air weekend market, as well as expansive green parks, the district of Chatuchak may be a bit further out of town but is definitely worth a visit.

Just north of Bangkok’s busy city centre, Chatuchak is some distance away but is easily accessible by Bangkok’s main train lines. The BTS sky train and MRT subway both run through Chatuchak, and for many years, have served as its terminus.

Little is known about the history of Chatuchak, only that it used to be part of the adjacent district of Bang Khen. It soared in popularity after the arrival of Chatuchak Market, which moved sites several times before settling into its permanent location in the district.

Why visit Chatuchak

Chatuchak is a must-visit for anyone spending a weekend in Bangkok for one reason: Chatuchak Market – the world’s largest open air weekend market with over 200,000 visitors every weekend.

The district of Chatuchak is also home to some of the city’s most beautiful parks. Chatuchak Park was built on land donated by the State Railway of Thailand and is the biggest of the parks in the area. Opened in 1980, it attracts thousands of visitors daily seeking a relaxing place to enjoy the warm weather.

Next door is Queen Sirikit Park, which is easily mistaken as part of the larger Chatuchak Park. This park may be small but its botanical garden is home to a selection of Thai plants, including a beautiful water feature with a lotus and water lily pond.

Also nearby is Railway Park (Suan Rot Fai), the largest of the three parks close to Chatuchak Weekend Market. If you’re up for a leisurely cycle, the park contains a three-kilometre bike track, with rental bikes available.

If you prefer a quieter escape away from the crowd, check out the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium inside Suan Rot Fai. With its own enclosed dome, this insectarium is home to more than 500 butterflies. At various times of the year, they showcase exhibits about insects and butterflies. Admission is free.

Top five things to do in Chatuchak

1. Explore the markets

Chatuchak Market has over 15,000 stalls spread across 35 acres and 26 sections offering a range of food, art, antiques, home decor pieces, furniture, clothing and more. [link to another article]

While Chatuchak market is most popular for shopping, nearby Or Tor Kor Market is known for its fresh produce. From fresh fruit, meat, and vegetables to some of the most important and hard-to-find ingredients for Thai cooking, Or Tor Kor Market is the perfect place for up-and-coming chefs or foodies eager to stock up their kitchens.

2. Shopping

JJ Mall is a shopping centre located within the grounds of Chatuchak market. Unlike the weekend market, it’s open during the week, and has seven floors of stalls and shops selling clothing, accessories, antiques and other items available in the open air market.

Central Plaza Ladprao is the biggest indoor shopping mall in Chatuchak. This air conditioned shopping complex is home to a range of Thai and western retail brands, several dozen restaurants, a massive food court, a bowling alley and a large cineplex. When the weather is poor (or way too hot for your liking) Central Plaza Ladprao is a more comfortable shopping option with easy access from Phahon Yothin MRT Station.

Much like Pratunam’s Platinum Fashion Mall, Union Mall is a large shopping mall with most of its clothing stores aimed at teenagers and young people. Clothing styles are trendy and fashionable, and for customers who buy in bulk, wholesale discounts are available.

3. Indulge in Thai food

There’s far more than just retail shopping available at Chatuchak Weekend Market. You’ll find a variety of food courts and restaurants inside the market, serving everything from quick and easy Thai food to burgers, kebabs and a range of Western meals.

345 By Yorwor is a great place for Thai fusion food, offering a range of Thai and southeast asian food with western influences.

Toh-Plue has a solid reputation for conventional Thai favourites like stir-fry chicken with cashew, tom yum kung soup, and mango sticky rice.

4. Appreciate Thai modern art at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Located on Kamphaeng Phet Road, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is a short taxi ride from Chatuchak Park. MOCA Bangkok displays works of art inspired by traditional Thai modes of artistic expression alongside Western influences and techniques.

The museum has been purposely built to showcase and exhibit over 800 works of art collected over the past three decades by Boonchai Bencharongkul, a passionate art collector.

5. Soak up the Bangkok views at Blue Sky rooftop bar

Located on the rooftop of the Centara Grand Hotel at Central Plaza Ladprao, Blue Sky serves a great range of cocktails, premium spirits, champagne, and a Wine Spectator Magazine award-winning wine selection drinks. But the biggest attraction is the fantastic view of Bangkok. Unlimited tapas and special wine promotions make this more reasonably priced than at the rooftop bars in the city centre neighbourhoods of Silom and Sukhumvit, while the view is less busy and more relaxing.

**Blue Sky rooftop bar in Centara Grand Hotel**

What did I miss? Is there anything else you like about Chatuchak that I haven’t mentioned? Let me know in the comments below.