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.
Whether you are looking for old, used, or new book selections to add to your collection, the back corridors of Chatuchak Market have hidden stalls overflowing with them. Shoulder-high stacks of books line the walkways, and rows and rows of hardbacks and paperbacks fill every corner of the stalls. Novels, children's literature, guide books, and maps can be found beneath the mountains of books just waiting to be discovered. Because these stalls carry older and used books the prices tend to be lower, and striking a bargain is a great way to find the one story or useful guide to make your stay in Thailand that much more memorable.
Thailand has a great selection of books both in Thai and English language. International schools are popping up around the country and it is clear that learning to speak English has become a priority for many residents. Many visitors and tourists also seek to gain an understanding of basic Thai. Vendors and stalls within Chatuchak Market cater to such needs. Everyone benefits from having access to affordable books and guides. A mix of cultures leads to greater opportunities for Thailand and its people.
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 Books
Section 27, Soi 69
The Administration of Chatuchak Market
Tel: 02-272-4440-1
Hours: Saturday to Sunday 9am-6pm
Free admission
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 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 new and used book vendors in Chatuchak Market.