Is Chatuchak open every day?

The main market runs at the weekend. Some areas open at other times, but for the full market — and for our stall — come on Saturday or Sunday.

Is it cheaper to buy skincare at Chatuchak?

Prices vary by stall and product. The real advantage of a market stall is personal advice and a curated selection — compare carefully and buy what you'll actually use.

Do stalls at Chatuchak speak English?

Many do, especially in busier sections. At our stall we're happy to help in English and Thai.

Beauty Shopping at Chatuchak: A Guide

Key takeaways

Arrive in the morning — it's cooler, calmer and easier to ask questions.
MRT Kamphaeng Phet is right at the market; BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park are a short walk.
Bring a short list: your skin type, concerns and what you've run out of.
Check packaging, dates and Thai labels — and message stalls ahead to check stock.

Chatuchak Weekend Market — known to locals as JJ — is one of the largest markets in the world, with thousands upon thousands of stalls spread across numbered sections. It's a brilliant place to discover Korean, Japanese and Thai beauty in one trip. It can also be overwhelming the first time. Here's how to make the most of it.

The Chatuchak Weekend Market sign at the market entrance — Chatuchak is open at the weekend — and it's worth arriving early.

When to go

The main market runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Mornings are the sweet spot: it's cooler, the lanes are calmer, and stallholders have more time to answer questions. By early afternoon the crowds and the heat both build. If you can, arrive soon after opening and do your beauty shopping first, before you're tired and sticky.

Our stall is open Sat–Sun, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and the details for finding us are on our visit page.

Getting there

MRT Kamphaeng Phet (Blue Line) is right on the edge of the market — the easiest option.
BTS Mo Chit (Sukhumvit Line) and MRT Chatuchak Park are a short walk away, past Chatuchak Park.
Taxi or ride-hailing works too, but traffic around the market can be slow at the weekend.

Passengers on a Bangkok MRT platform — The MRT is the simplest way to reach the market at the weekend.

What to bring

Sunscreen and a hat. Much of the market is covered, but you'll walk between sections in the sun.
Water and a small fan. It's hot. Stay hydrated.
Some cash. Many stalls across the market take cash or Thai QR payments — ask each stall what they accept.
A tote bag. Fewer plastic bags, easier carrying.
Your list. Skin type, what's bothering you, what you've run out of. It keeps you focused.
Photos of products you love. Easier than trying to remember a name.

Market-day essentials laid out: bag, sunglasses, phone and travel bits — Pack light: water, sunscreen, a tote and your list.

How to shop smart at a beauty stall

1
Ask questions
A good seller will ask about your skin before recommending anything — and will help you choose fewer, better products rather than more.
2
Swatch base on your jawline
Where testers are available, try foundation and cushion shades along the jaw in natural light, not on the back of your hand.
3
Check the packaging
Look for sealed, intact packaging, a clear batch code and expiry or production date, and — for cosmetics sold in Thailand — a Thai-language label. Our guide to spotting fake cosmetics explains what to look for.
4
Think about the trip home
Liquids over 100 ml go in checked luggage on most flights. Solid and stick formats travel easiest.

Message ahead to save time

Many stalls — including ours — are happy to chat on WhatsApp or LINE before you visit. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll check what's on the shelf this weekend, set things aside, and help you find the stall when you arrive. It saves a lot of wandering in the heat.

Make a day of it

Once your shopping's done, cool down with the market's famous coconut ice cream, find shade in Chatuchak Park next door, or cross the road to Or Tor Kor market for some of the best fresh fruit in the city.