Open Secret: Is Chatuchak actually Bangkok’s most livable ‘hood?
Two parks, walkable streets, the best fresh market in the city, weekend vintage shopping plus BTS and MRT stations suggest "yes."
5 years ago
Pompano Roasted Cafe
Wantong Cafe
Coffee & Breakfast
The vintage-themed Pompano Roasted Cafe (The Camp Vintage Flea Market, 482 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, 086-507-1755) is a smart choice for a long black (B100). For something sweet, don’t miss Wantong Cafe’s (Chatuchak Market, Section 26, Soi 1/4, 088-885-7751) delicious Thai-themed desserts like the pandan custard Kaya tart (B120). Many other cafes come to life during Chatuchak Market’s weekend opening hours, like the Instagrammable coffee kiosk The Breakfast Club BKK (Chatuchak Market, Section 3, Soi 46, 081-554-7954), which doles out honey matcha lattes (B95) and hash browns (B69).
First Floor Dining Room
Lunch & Dinner
Seafood institution Laemgate (2/F, SJ Infinite One, 349 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., 084-959-5959) offers a gut-busting all-you-can-eat deal (B777), while another option is Sanan Seafood (1639/36-41 Phahon Yothin Rd., 02-279-1924), with specialties like crab meat curry with noodles (B450). For no-fuss Thai dishes, try First Floor Dining Room’s (1032/67 Phahon Yothin Soi 18/1, 081-206-7007) lamb pad kaprao (B125), or for quality vegetarian food, head to Chamlong’s Asoke Vegetarian Restaurant (586/26 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, 02-272-4282). Come the weekend, join the throngs at Viva 8 (Chatuchak Market, Section 8, Soi 16/1, 02-618-7425), which serves a mean (and massive) paella (B160) alongside live DJ sets, or head to the Thai-Muslim restaurant Saman Islam (Chatuchak Market, Section 16, Soi 24, 081-817-8270) for chicken biryani (B150).
Blue Sky
Drinks
Frankfurt 71 (The Camp Vintage Flea Market, 460 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, 094-019-1949) serves Paulaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel (B300) and steaks (from B220). On the second floor of First Floor Dining Room is Mezzanine Drinking and Sipping Room (1032/67 Phahon Yothin Soi 18/1, 087-439-9469), a coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night, serving old fashioneds (B280) and negronis (B180), while the cosy Brio Bistro & Bar (Chatuchak Market, Section 2, Soi 40/3, 099-154-5966) offers over 30 gins (B240 for a classic G&T), beers (B100 for a Singha) and mocktails. For a fancy tete-a-tete, sip wine while taking in the view at Blue Sky rooftop bar (24/F, Centara Grand at Central Ladprao, 1695 Phahon Yothin Rd., 02-541-1234).
Transport
Chatuchak is well served by BTS Mo Chit, MRT Chatuchak Park and MRT Kamphaeng Phet.
Accommodation
Five-minutes’ walk from BTS Mo Chit, The Line Chatuchak-Mochit (988 Phahon Yothin Rd., 02-028-8830) has 841 units from B16,000-80,000/month. U-Delight @ Jatujak Station (22 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., 02-689-6888) boasts 900 units from B10,000-30,000/month.
The Camp Vintage Flea Market
Chatuchak Park
Visit
Keep fit in the green surrounds of Chatuchak Park (Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd.), or work on the go at indie co-working space Good Space (Phahon Yothin Soi 18/1 Yaek 2, 095-804-4610). For shopping, Chatuchak Weekend Market (Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd., 02-272-4813) needs little introduction, selling everything imaginable. Vintage lovers can’t miss Chatuchak Playground Flea Market (Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd., 088-377-5385) and The Camp Vintage Flea Market (460 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, 098-998-8580), while opposite, the giant Or Tor Kor Fresh Market (Kamphaeng Phet Rd., 02-279-2080) is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables.
What’s so special about Chatuchak?
KITTISAK KITRUNGROT, OWNER OF WANTONG CAFE
“Chatuchak Weekend Market, as it’s unlike any other market in the world. There are so many activities you can do here, from shopping, eating local and international food, to enjoying live performances on the street.”
PUTTHO SUKSRIWAN, OWNER OF GOOD SPACE
“The area is walkable, so it’s quite convenient to get around. For good eats and plant shopping, I personally really like Or Tor Kor Fresh Market.”
PRAME SRIRUNGTHUM, OWNER OF FIRST FLOOR DINING ROOM
“This neighborhood is also home to Mo Chit bus terminal, Bangkok’s largest long-distance bus terminal with hundreds of routes running to different parts of the country. It’s a huge travel gateway.”
“This neighborhood is also home to Mo Chit bus terminal, Bangkok’s largest long-distance bus terminal with hundreds of routes running to different parts of the country. It’s a huge travel gateway.”
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