Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Part of the market with the clock tower shown in the middle
Location	Chatuchak, Bangkok
Website	Chatuchakmarket.org

The Chatuchak (or Jatujak; Thai: จตุจักร) Weekend Market, on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, is the largest market in Thailand. Also known as JJ Market, it has more than 8,000 stalls, divided into 27 sections. Chatuchak Market sells nine kinds of goods: plants, antiques, pets, food and drinks, fresh and dry food, ceramics, furniture and home decor, clothing, and books.

Chatuchak Market has been open since 1942. In 1948, when Prime Minister Jompol Por Pibulsongkraam had a policy in which every province was required to have their own market. Bangkok chose Sanam Luang to be held as the market. After a few months, the government had to move the market to Sanam Chai, but the market moved back to Sanam Luang in 1958. In 1978, the government used Sanam Luang as a recreational area, so the State Railway of Thailand donated the land on the south side of Chatuchak Park to establish as a market. By 1983, all of the merchants had moved to Chatuchak. At that time the market was called Phahonyothin Market. In 1987, its name was changed to Chatuchak Market.

Studies have shown that the Chatuchuk Market is a centre for trade in illegal wildlife.

In a survey conducted on 28–29 March 2015, researchers counted 1,271 birds of 117 species for sale in 45 shops or stalls. Of the total, nine species were listed as "Threatened" on the IUCN Red List and eight species as "Near Threatened".

The clock tower is a distinctive landmark in the Chatuchuk Market. It was built in 1987 on the occasion of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday on 5 December 1987, a cooperative effort of the market administration and Thai-Chinese Merchant Association.

Chatuchak weekend market is located near some popular places, for example JJ green market, BTS Mo Chit, MRT Chatuchak and Chatuchak Park. This market is a place where you can easily connect to other places by using BTS and MRT. Chatuchak market is open during the day. However there are other nearby markets open at night time, such as JJ green market. You can also rest or picnic at Chatuchak Park.