The atmosphere is buzzing, people push and shove past you, manoeuvering through the narrow sois en route to find their next great bargain in the jumble of items piled up in one of about 8000 sellers' shops. This is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as the Jatujak Market, located on 35 acres northeast of Bangkok, attracting 200 000 visitors every weekend to tackle the maze of stalls.
Bright colourful flowers... luscious leaves of all shapes and sizes... you breathe in and smell the comforting scent of greenery, plants and soil. Whether you're searching for the perfect potted plant to decorate your patio, or for some cut flowers for a friend, the flower stalls at the Chatuchak Market are home to a wide variety of plants, all thanks to the excellent climate and growing conditions that allow plants to flourish all over Thailand.
The overall warm climate in Thailand allows for flower production all over the country, with specific varieties being grown in different locations. Orchids and other tropical flowers are grown in the more central regions around Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakorn Prathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakorn, Kanchanaburi and Ayudhaya. Subtropical and temperate blooms are from more northeastern regions of the country. There are many varieties of orchids for sale, as well as other types of flowers, along with potted plants, hanging baskets, shrubs, and small trees. The Chatuchak Market plant stalls are located on the outer perimeter of the market. Unlike the rest of the market, which is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, plants are available for sale on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well.
About half of all flower production goes to local markets, such as Chatuchak, while the rest is for the global market. Flowers of all kinds, including orchids, are highly sought after in the country for common religious uses as well as for decorative purposes. They create a beautiful and joyful atmosphere. Buddhist shrines and spirit houses all over the country are decorated with bright floral displays like garlands, which are given as offerings as a sign of respect. Features in the country which are deemed important, such as shrines to the Royal Family are always decorated with bright floral arrangements to make them more beautiful. Since the country is so warm, it allows for homes to be decorated, both and inside and outside, with plants that thrive in warm temperatures, making for a more inviting The Chatuchak Market provides an opportunity for Thai plant growers to sell their plants and flowers to local Thais who consider them an integral part of their lives and culture.
Although it may not be evident while wandering around the Chatuchak plant stalls, the Thai plant and flower growing industry one of the most competitive of its kind in the world. About half of all flower production goes to local markets, such as Chatuchak, while the other half is destined for export to other countries, thus making it an important contributor to the Thai economy. Generations of families have passed down companies that specialize in flower production in Thailand, and work hard to keep their businesses flourishing. New innovations through universities, the Ministry of Agriculture as well as different Royal Projects ensure that the entire Thai flower market is able to maintain its competitive edge.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Located about 11km Northeast of downtown Bangkok, Thailand
Easily accessed by MRT Subway and the BTS Skytrain
MRT Subway: Get off at Kamphaeng Phet, and you will pop up inside the market
Click here for more information about the MRT Subway
BTS Skytrain: Get off at Mo Chit Station, follow the crowds down onto Phahonythin Rd., follow it southwest about 1 Kilometre and turn right onto Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd. until you reach one of the entrances on the left hand side of the street
Click here for more information about the BTS Skytrain
Location of Fresh Plants & Flowers
Section 4 - Soi 48-50
The Administration of Chatuchak Market
Tel: 02-272-4440-1
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm
Plant section also open Wednesday and Thursday 7am-6pm
Free Admission
Maps are available at each entrance
Click here for an online map of Chatuchak Market
Toilets located throughout the market
- Section 7, Soi 66 and 67
-Section 4, Soi 52 and 49
-Section 2, Soi 38
-Section 27, Soi 67 and 64
-Section 1
The main streets inside the market are wheelchair and stroller accessible
The pin on the map above is centrally located in the area where you will find the greatest concentration of fresh plant and flower vendors in Chatuchak Market.