5 Hidden Activities Inside the Chatuchak Weekend Market
When you say the word “Chatuchak” the words that often follow are “Weekend Market”. Yes, this place with the nickname “JJ” is where you can find chic and cheap selection of clothes, handbags, and accessories. Within a friendly price range of 100 to 1000 Baht, you can always find at least one thing of a gift you will want to get for your friends and family, or better yet to use them yourself.
But that’s not what we want to look for today. Put down your fashion shopping list for a moment and let Siam2nite take you on a journey to find 5 hidden activities you might not know exist inside the Chatuchak Weekend Market. So when your next trip comes around, you can be sure to bring your friends along for a treat.
Henna Tattoos
Mr. Bank
We didn’t know this type of service exists inside Chatuchak Weekend Market, and after some exploration, we found two vendors that might interest you. One of them is called “Mr. Bank,” and they’ve been in business for over 8 years now. They can paint up any patterns you may have in mind, or you can even ask Mr. Bank, the owner, to whip up some of his imagination to life. The style they’re adept in can be called Thai-style Henna with a hint of Indian artistry in it.
Airy Dolly
If you like to drop by a bit later during the night, “Airy Dolly” opens until 1 am around J.J Green market area. You can get yourself traditional Indian style, modern arts, or even your own design, just ask the artist. They also sell Henna paint for you to take home for some D.I.Y action!
The Pet Zone
In one corner of Chatuchak Market is the pet zone, and we’re not talking about just dogs or cats here. Along every alley in this area, you will find numerous marine life like you haven’t seen before. There will be Carps, Goldfish, Cichlids, Turtles, Shrimps, Hermit Crabs, and many more. If you don’t like the sea creatures, there are also multiple species aerial beings of your choosing, even little ducklings!
If the choices above sound a bit too exotic, let us assure you that you can also find some of the usual pets here. You will find hedgehogs, hamsters, and bunnies all over. Take some time to stroll around a bit, and you might get a chance to come up close and personal with some animals that don’t usually come by in your everyday life.
Sooth Your Sweet Tooth
Both the Chatuchak day market and the JJ Green night market are lined up with sweets and snacks for your choosing. No matter where you go or any small alley you find yourself in, look around carefully before you take your next step because you might be passing one of the more popular cafés in the area.
First stop is Wantong Café, the place where you can find a modern twist to traditional Thai desserts. The bakery menu might be Western, but if you read carefully, you will notice they throw in a lot of local Thai ingredients into their creations. The shop is small, but that doesn’t make the modern Thai decor less attractive at all. Come around and try the Nilla Shortcake made from riceberry and the Pandan Custard Tart.
Another café worth stopping by is called The Breakfast Club. At this 4-seater mini vendor, they take the usual drinks menu and put their little twist on it. The Mint Cocoa and Orange Espresso are worth a try.
Antique Hunting
Another interesting zone within the Chatuchak area is the antique zone. Here you will find classic furniture, lamps, collectibles, bikes, toys, ceramics, and anything that will get you thinking if any of it will look nice in your living room. We can say for sure what you will find while strolling through each antique shop, but as they as “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. There are two areas you’d want to check out the next time you need a nice grandpa clock to add to your collection. One is adjacent to JJ Mall and opens from 8:30 to 20:00, the other is in JJ Green night market and opens from 18:00 up until midnight.
Fill Your Lungs With Fresh Air
Chatuchak is also know for having quite a number of public parks for you to chill on a lazy Sunday. There is the Rod Fai Park (Wachirabenchatat Park) where you can bring your own bike or rent out one for a nice ride around the tracks on a sunny day. This park is filled with huge trees that gives of a nice amount of shade for you to sleep under or hide from the sun for a little bit. The highlight of it all would have to be the Pink Trumpet trees that blooms during January to March as well as the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium (closed for renovation until April 2018).
The big white bridge will take you on the Queen Sirikit Park where you must get off your bike. This park is very peaceful so you can slowly stroll down the walkways while enjoying the variety of beautiful flowers the park has to offer.
Step across the Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road and you will find yourself entering Chatuchak Park which is the closest to the Chatuchak BTS Station. Here you can find joggers all around as well as fitness groups doing some aerobics or making good use of the public outdoor gym around the grounds.
Its a good thing to tear yourself away from the busy city life many of us have grown accustomed to and find your inner peace at one of these relaxing atmospheres. Listen to the sound of nature and let the cool breeze and warm sunlight take away any worries you might be carrying in your mind.