Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thai fruit and vegetables at
Marché
(Section 17, Stall 254, Soi 1)
or their scaled-down miniature
counterparts nearby at
Papachu
(Section 17, Stall 23, Soi 1)
.
Section 7 is a virtual open-air art gallery; we particularly like the Bangkok-themed mur-
als at
Pariwat A-nantachina
(Section 7, Stall 118, Soi 2)
.
Several shops in Section 10, including
Tuptim Shop
(Section 10, Stall 261, Soi 19)
, sell Burmese
lacquerware.
Clothing & Accessories
Clothing dominates much of Chatuchak, starting in Section 8 and continuing through the
even-numbered sections to 24. Sections 5 and 6 deal in used clothing for every Thai youth
subculture, from punks to cowboys; Soi 7, where it transects Sections 12 and 14, is heavy
on hip-hop and skate fashions. Tourist-sized clothes and textiles are found in sections 8
and 10.
Sections 2 and 3, particularly the tree-lined Soi 2 of the former, is the Siam Sq of
Chatuchak, and is home to heaps of trendy independent labels. Moving north, Soi 4 in
Section 4 boasts several shops selling locally designed T-shirts. In fact, Chatuchak as a
whole is a particularly good place to pick up quirky T-shirts of all types.
For something more rustic,
Khaki-Nang
(Section 8, Stall 267-268, Soi 17)
sells canvas clothing
and tote bags, many featuring old-school Thai themes. And if you can't make it up to Chi-
ang Mai,
Roi
(Section 25, Stall 268, Soi 4)
and similar shops nearby are where you'll find hand-
woven cotton scarves, clothes and other accessories from Thailand's north.
For accessories, several shops in Sections 24 and 26, such as
Orange Karen Silver
(Section 26,
Stall 246, Soi 8)
, specialise in chunky silver jewellery and uncut semiprecious stones.
Eating & Drinking
Lots of Thai-style eating and snacking will stave off Chatuchak rage (cranky behaviour
brought on by dehydration or hunger), and numerous food stalls are set up throughout the
market, particularly between Sections 6 and 8. Long-established standouts include
Foon
Talop
(Section 26, Stall 319, Soi 8; mains 40-100B; 10am-6pm Sat & Sun)
, an incredibly popular Isan
restaurant;
Café Ice
(Section 7, Stall 267, Soi 3; mains 100-300B; 10am-6pm Sat & Sun)
, a Western-Thai
fusion joint that does good
pàt tai
(fried noodles) and tasty fruit shakes; and
Saman Islam
(Section 16, Stall 34, Soi 24; mains 40-100B; 10am-6pm Sat & Sun)
, a Thai-Muslim restaurant that
serves a tasty chicken biryani. If you need air-con, pop into
Toh-Plue
(Section 27; mains 100-250B;
9am-7pm;
;
