chatuchak market
I have been dying to write this “top tips” post about Chatuchak Market for the longest time. Not weeks or months, but years.
From the very very first time I hit the stalls shopping at Chatuchak Market, in Bangkok, Thailand, I have never been the same.
I literally find it painful spending money anywhere else.
When I say cheap, bargains, budget, chic, cool, joy style I mean piles of it. You are going to feel like you died and woke up in style heaven where you can afford EVERYTHING.
Affectionately called JJ Market, the area is slammed to the rafters with more than 8,000 stalls, which are open from 9am to about 6pm (indoor stalls) and 9pm (outdoor stalls).
See my movie below and keep reading for a few tips on how to master the art of shopping at JJ.
You are going to feel shocked, you are going to feel tired and you are going to spend too much. So listen up.
Don’t ever go looking for something specific. This place is just too massive for that. One must go with the attitude of thinking ‘it would be lovely if I found a …….. but if I don’t see one it’s cool.’
Do go with a budget – twenty GBP or one thousand THB is slew for petite treats.
Do go with a suitcase – you may just want to stock a shop or a walk-in wardrobe or buy enough Christmas and bday presents for the next five years. And you won’t be the only one packing a case. I’ve seen the brainy ones at it before.
Send stuff home from the market using the parcel services a the entrance near MRT Chatuchak.
Haggle. Begin with the words. “Can I have a discount?” I used to think this was a bit too forward but having observed other people haggle this way, I have attempted it and had good results.
Take petite notes. When you want to pay two hundred THB for a three hundred THB dress the seller is much more likely to say yes to your price if they can see, smell and touch the money!
Never open your wallet very first and then ask how much. You have just gone and put yourself at the grace of the seller. Be cool.
Take a friend who is also shopping because when you buy more than one thing from a stall you can always bargain the price down even lower! Wholesale!
Wear roll flops for when you want to stop for a foot rubdown. Chatuchak Market is the largest market you are likely to ever come across. You will be doing so much walking your feet will thank you at the end of the day.
Use the MRT underground station or BTS Skytrain to get there and back. The taxis and tuk tuks in these areas bump up their prices so much, paying for a rail will eat into the savings you made while shopping…think about it…
Get off the train at MRT Kamphaengphet rather than MRT Chatuchak. Why? Well the stores are way more fashiony in my opinion. Yes I said fashiony. This is MY BLOG! Lol!