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Everything You Need to Know about Chatuchak Park 

| Last Updated: December 2024

Chatuchak Park is a breath of fresh air right at the heart of Bangkok. Located near the ever-so-popular Chatuchak Weekend Market, the park’s nature-rich scenery should make you think twice before leaving the capital for a day trip. 

First stop, the public park’s open environment is perfect for tourists and locals alike to unwind and reconnect with nature. Best of all, it’s within walking distance from key transport hubs like Mo Chit BTS station and Chatuchak Park MRT station.

Think of Chatuchak Park as the timely break you so deserve where you need it most. In this post, learn about all the wonderful things that await you in one of the oldest public parks in the capital where the buses park. Read on.

Where is Chatuchak Park

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Image Source: Google Maps

Chatuchak Park is located in the southwest portion of Chatuchak District in Bangkok. Specifically, you can find the 0.304 square kilometer park at the crossroads where the Phahonyothin and Vibhavadi Rangsit roads meet. 

Things to Know

Phone: +66 2272 4575
Operating Hours: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs: FREE

How to Get to Chatuchak Park

BTS Skytrain: In Bangkok, locate the nearest BTS Station, then board the train going to Mo Chit Station. Upon arrival at the station, find your way to Exit 1 (there should be signs) which should lead you to the entrance of Chatuchak Park.

The estimated travel time with the BTS is about 30 minutes.

Bus:  As it’s just in Bangkok, find a bus stop near you that serves the route to the park. Keep your eyes open for buses 3, 26, 29, and 77.

Travel time varies as buses in the capital are susceptible to traffic jams, but should take you less than an hour. 

MRT: Find an MRT station that serves the Blue Line. Board the train that takes you to Bang Sue and once there, follow the signs that point toward Exit 1 which should take you to Chatuchak Park.

What to See and Do in Chatuchak Park

Relax in the natural surroundings of Chatuchak Park

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All the greenery in Chatuchak Park should be a big come-on for anyone and everyone wanting to take a quick break from the hustle and bustle of life in the capital. This park is a favorite hangout destination for tourists and locals alike. 

A little trivia: The 0.304-square-kilometer lot used to be owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). In 1975, it was later dedicated to King Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej) on his 48th birthday, hence the name “Chatuchak” which means 4 cycles.

There are tons of natural beauty to marvel at in the park. For starters, there’s the courtyard of flowers, a striking clock tower, and an artificial lake that should serve as a great setting for hours and hours of chitchat or a quick jog amongst trees. 

Enjoy sports in Chatuchak Park

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If you’re looking to play sports, Chatuchak Park has tennis courts and basketball courts that should keep your heart racing like never before. Nothing beats the fun of chasing the ball and scoring against another team. 

But that’s just for starters. You may not believe it but the public park has outdoor exercise equipment as well so you can stretch those quadriceps and hamstrings perfectly to a T—and not pay a single baht. 

Lest we forget, you can bike like there’s no tomorrow too. Suan Rot Fai (also dubbed Railway Park), a large park added to Chatuchak Park a few years back, has a 3-kilometer bike track with bike rentals starting at 20 baht to get you all pumped up. 

Step into paradise at Queen Sirikit Park

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Now, if you want to heighten your sense of wonder a step more, then a visit to Queen Sirikit Park, also dubbed as Rod Fai Park, should do you justice. You’ll have a feast of the eye here as this is composed of well-manicured gardens and beautiful plants. 

Added to the Chatuchak Park complex, Queen Sirikit Park is a botanical garden dedicated to Sirikit, the Queen of Thailand, on her 60th birthday in 1992. You’ll stand witness to pools adorned with head-turning lotus flowers and fountains. 

But there’s even more. Though not as big as the original Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit is filled to the brim with a wide variety of palm cultivars, banana cultivars, and 200 species of waterlilies, not to mention new species of plants never seen before. 

Be amazed at the State Railway Hall of Fame

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Inside Chatuchak Park at the northern end, a huge hangar houses the history of the railway in Thailand. Called the State Railway Hall of Fame, you’ll stand witness to how the railway became part and parcel of the Land of Smiles since the 1800s.

It’s definitely a walk in history lane that will make the hearts of railway enthusiasts beat faster. Complete your visit to Chatuchak by dropping in to see the collection of all things railway and don’t worry about spending a dime as it’s all for free. 

While you’re at it, keep an eye on the Children’s Discovery Museum nearby. This exhibit is a whole new world of adventure complete with the latest tools to jumpstart young minds towards effective learning. 

Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Chatuchak Park

Ar Rai Wah Music & Restaurant

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Address: Vibhavadi Rangsit Frontage Rd, Chom Phon
Phone: +66 2 617 9550
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: noon – 11:00 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Thai food, fusion cuisine
Website

With its delectable Thai cuisine, Ar Rai Wah Music & Restaurant could be the best way to cater to your palate just the way you want it. Even better, it’s but a stone’s throw away (a tenth of a kilometer) from Chatuchak Park. 

We highly recommend you taste their signature paella dish. This restaurant bar has outdoor seating so you can dine in the open, with just one caveat: this food place operates from noon to midnight so don’t come here for breakfast. 

Peace Oriental Teahouse

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Address: 87 Lang Suan Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 63 637 0521
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Japanese teahouse (no meals)
Website

From the moment you enter, you’ll know Peace Oriental Teahouse is a Japanese teahouse. The Japanese architecture has a calming effect that should be heightened with a relaxing Japanese matcha.

Peace Oriental Teahouse’s main product is traditional tea and though you can have black glutinous rice on the side, don’t expect a full meal here with meat.

This teahouse is a 10-minute walk from Chatuchak Park.

Starbucks Nana Square

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Address: 1st Fl., 33/3 Sukumvit Soi 3, North Nana, Sukumvit Rd
Phone: +66 84 438 7349
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday), 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday)
Good to know: hand-crafted coffee drinks (no meals)
Website

Starbucks may well be the biggest ambassador of everything coffee to the world so expect your craving for latte or frappe, light snacks, and table talk fixed here.

Where to Shop in and Near Chatuchak Park

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Address: 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 p.m. – midnight (Friday), 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Good to know: cheap prices, open on weekends only
Website

You must have heard of it by now. If there’s a shopping opportunity everyone should grab with gusto near Chatuchak Park, Chatuchak Weekend Market is top of that list, and the reasons are obvious. 

Considered the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak Weekend Market is a collection of over 15,000 stalls selling all sorts of goodies. About 200,000 people visit the big area with just one caveat: it opens only on weekends, Fridays to Sundays. 

Take note that Chatuchak Park and Chatuchak Weekend Market stand 1 km apart. To get to the market from the park, just hop on a bus which should take less than 10 minutes to arrive. 

Union Mall Bangkok

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Address: 54 ซอย ลาดพร้าว 1 Chom Phon
Phone: +66 2 512 5000
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: has about everything, open daily
Website

About 12 minutes away (2 km via Route 1) from Chatuchak Park, Union Mall Bangkok is another go-to shopping destination in the area. This department store is packed with entertainment areas though it’s a bit pricier than the Chatuchak Market. 

At Union Mall, you are looking at eight floors of booths and shops inside the mall. So, shop til you drop as over a thousand businesses offer all kinds of products, from kitchenware to fashion wear to camping gear—daily.

In case you’re wondering, there’s a subway station outside Chatuchak Market right at Chatuchak Park to Union Mall. The MRT ride takes about 10 minutes. 

Where to Stay in and Near Chatuchak Park

Centara Grand At Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok

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Address: 1695 Phahonyothin Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak
Phone: +66 2 541 1234
Pricing: ฿฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: 5-star hotel where kids stay for free (with adults)
Website

Merely 3.3 km from Chatuchak Park, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok is a 5-star hotel that should give you the comfort you need on that side of the capital. It’s certainly the destination to beat if you’re keen on a luxurious stay. 

To boot, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok boasts a shopping center and a rooftop bar. All that should not come as a surprise however, as this sprawling grand hotel of over 500 rooms and suites is Thailand’s first 5-star hotel. 

V20 Boutique Jacuzzi Hotel – SHA Extra Plus

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Address: 185/1 Vibhavadi Rangsit 20 Alley, Lane 3-4, Khwaeng Chom Phon
Phone: 02-2771686
Pricing:  ฿฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours:  2 p.m. (Check-in), noon (Check-out)
Good to know: boutique hotel (less than 100 rooms)
Website

Frequented by solo travelers, the V20 Boutique Jacuzzi Hotel should be a great choice if you want to stretch your finances some more. Plus, this is but a stone’s throw away from Chatuchak Park at a distance of over 3 km using Route 1 (9-minute ride). 

Though not a swanky hotel as a five-star, the V20 comes with comfort and style. Rooms equipped with WiFi and aircon are notable for their cleanliness and could come with even more eye-popping comfort: a steam room and an indoor pool. 

Best Western Chatuchak

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Address: 18 ถนน กำเเพงเพชร, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Phone: +66 2 666 4695
Pricing:   ฿฿ 
Operating Hours:  2 p.m. (Check-in) & noon (Check-out)
Good to know: 4-star hotel
Website

About a 6-minute walk from the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Best Western is a solid option if you want to put a premium on a comfortable stay. For starters, accommodations may come with private parking and a garden. 

Plus, rooms are with free WiFi, smart TV, mini-fridges, and tea and coffee equipment. There are spa services and massage rooms too which should tell you Best Western with its 192 rooms is a steal.

FAQs about Chatuchak Park

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