Chatuchak Market - Print & Paint


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.




 


 


 


 

It's quiet and tidy as you walk along the narrow alleys, peeking into the little inlets to marvel at the bright colours and mixed textures resulting from the creative minds of the talented Thai artists who sit casually nearby. Whether you're looking for portraits, abstract designs, intricate patterns, serene nature images, or even graffiti art, the galleries of the Chatuchak Market are the place to be.


The galleries are situated on the outskirts of the market, away from the crazy central hub of the vendors. This allows visitors to view the art in each gallery on their own terms, without having to shuffle their way past tourists in order to view each piece. What also makes the galleries appealing is how clean and spacious each row is. It is nice to take a break from the rest of the market and find a bit of peace as you wander from one art selection to the next.

Thai artists are located all over the country, but the contemporary art scene is based in Bangkok, which is where many, but not all, artists will do their work. The Chatuchak Market is then an ideal locale for artists to sell their work to both tourists as well as locals. So, although many of these artists do not do traditional Thai painting, they are the ones who are continuing Thai art traditions and creating new styles that remain culturally significant.


Art is found all over the world and Thailand is no different. It is a medium used to portray important cultural ideals and an opportunity for artists to express themselves individually, the galleries of the Chatuchak Market provide examples of all of these. Traditional Thai art styles portray important religious images and stories that are integral to Thai history. The majority of pieces found in Chatuchak are not of these styles, and many are modern takes on traditional Thai images or controversial topics within the country, which result in art pieces that are uniquely Thai in origin.

Tips for Visiting Chatuchak Market

  • It can get very hot. Make sure to dress appropriately and stay hydrated. Temperatures are generally cooler in the morning than in the middle of the afternoon
  • Wear comfy shoes, as there aren't many places in the market to sit down and take a rest
  • Go in the morning to avoid the huge crowds; around 10 am is probably ideal
  • Theft is common: be aware of your belongings, keep valuables (money, passport, credit cards, etc.) in a safe place on your person. If you have a backpack, wear it on the front
  • Bring cash, generally in smaller bills because vendors don't always have a lot of change. There are ATM's onsite if you run out
  • Be aware that if you're a Western tourist, prices will generally be higher. If you're comfortable with it, try your hand at bargaining with vendors to get the best deals; just be prepared that they don't always go your way, and be prepared to walk away when it isn't worth it
  • If you find something you like, buy it! It is very difficult to find your way back to a place after leaving
  • Bring your own reusable bag or backpack to bring home your goodies, and to avoid wasting plastic bags

Address

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

Online map of MRT Subway

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

Online map of BTS Skytrain

Click here for more information about the BTS Skytrain


Location of Print & Paint

Section 7 - Soi 63

Contact Information

The Administration of Chatuchak Market

Tel:02-272-4440-1

Hours of Operation

Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm

Free Admission

Facilities

Maps are available at each entrance

Click here for an online map of Chatuchak Market


Toilets are located throughout the market

-Section 7, Soi 66 and 67

-Section 4, Soi 52, 49

-Section 2, Soi 38

-Section 27, Soi 67 and 64

-Section 1


The main streets of the market are wheelchair and stroller accessible


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