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Chatuchak Bangkok Weekend Market / Chatuchak Plaza / JJ Mall Market
Chatuchak Bangkok Weekend Market, the Plaza, and JJ Mall Market are all located in the same area, right next to each other, but are different in nature and activity hours.
Due to often lack of clarity regarding these attractions, I decided to put them all in one article so that the differences will be clear.
Chatuchak Weekend Market / Chatuchak Plaza / JJ Mall Market
In the Chatuchak area, there are many markets and shopping centers. The most famous one is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, and right next to it are the Chatuchak Plaza and a mall named – JJ Mall Market. In this link of the market’s map, you can easily see the location of all three (from the website jatujakplaza.com).
After glancing the map, to help you find your bearing, we will describe each attraction in separate, so things will be clear.
Chatuchak Bangkok Weekend Market – I won’t say too much about this vast market (many say the biggest one in Asia and the entire world). It holds over 15,000 stores and around 200,000 visitors per day. There are various maps of the market floating around, but you will soon discover, it is difficult to navigate this crowded market, just stroll around and enjoy. The market is very hot and crowded, and my advice is to visit as early as possible so that you might avoid the heat and crowds of the midday hours…
Activity Hours: The Bangkok weekend market is open to the public only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00 in the morning till 6:00 in the evening. It is best not to arrive right after opening or just before closing time, as some of the stores may open a bit later and close a bit earlier. On Fridays, some of the shops are open for wholesale and dealers (they will also sell to tourists). The area in the market that sells flowers, plants, and related accessories also works on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Arrival: The best way to get to the area is with the underground train (MRT) as the station is right on the market and no additional walking is necessary.
Pay attention, the station you should get off at is called Kamphaeng Phet Station and not Chatuchak Park!!! You can also use the elevated train (BTS), get to Mo Chit Station, and from there it is just a short walk.
Chatuchak Plaza – Right next to the Chatuchak Bangkok Weekend Market (located between the Weekend Market and the JJ Mall Market). It is much smaller then it’s giant neighbor, less crowded and cooler. You can find here clothing and many other products, including furniture, lighting fixtures, and other decorative accessories for the house, many designers come here to browse and buy. It is an exciting market by itself but lacks the commotion and mess of the weekend market. If you require shipping of large items, there are offices of shipping companies around the market, and they can pick up your pieces, pack them and make sure they arrive safely to your address abroad.
Activity Hours: Everyday from 9:00 in the morning till 6:00 in the evening.
Arrival: Same as the weekend market.
JJ Mall Market – A large, air-conditioned shopping center (7 floors, 3 of them are for shops). You’ll find here a large variety of stores and products, similar to the merchandise at the Chatuchak Plaza.
Activity Hours: Weekdays from 10:30 in the morning till 8:00 in the evening.
10:00 in the morning till 9:00 at night on weekends (Saturday-Sunday).
Arrival: Same as the weekend market.
Conclusion: Chatuchak Bangkok Weekend Market, as the name implies, is open only on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). If you’re not visiting Bangkok on the weekend or afraid of the heat and crowds, a visit to the Chatuchak Plaza and the JJ Mall Market can provide some alternative. The visit to the market can be integrated with many other attractions in the area, for more info about the entire Chatuchak area and the many attractions you can find here, please refer to my article – Chatuchak Area.
Yours,
Dr. David – Thailand Travel Guide
