Flea Markets of Bangkok: Chatuchak and The Camp Vintage
Is Chatuchak Flea Market in Bangkok worth visiting?
Chatuchak is the first to appear on every blog recommendation when deciding what market to visit, but truth be told - the local hidden gems seem to be outside the city centre. There are day markets, night markets, floating markets and indoor markets. So, how to pick one? We decided to give Chatuchak a go, to find out that it’s hot, overwhelmingly big and touristy; the first encounter we had with one of the main tourist attractions and after five minutes we wanted to leave. After doing extensive research all morning, I felt like I was missing out on a more local experience - Gah, I know, I should’ve known better. If you find a place that sounds more appealing to you and your style, go there instead!
The Camp Vintage Market is a hipster flea market designed to resemble a military base. It’s smaller, less crowded, and better curated by the hipster locals - older men dressed in mix-and-match outfits with modern items and vintage gems that would make Scott Schumann drool.
After the sheer disappointment that Chatuchak was, we found refuge in the Bangsue Junction- an antique mall where you can find everything from a tiny vintage necklace to a junked stairwell!- and The Playground market outside the mall. Things were already starting to look better outside of Chatuchak, and just around BangSue Junction, we found The Camp Vintage Market: a hipster flea market designed to look like a military base. It’s smaller, less crowded and better curated (and many girls would agree that it’s very Instagramable). However, what struck me were the hipster locals - older men dressed in mix-and-match outfits with modern items and vintage gems that would make Scott Schumann drool. I am still shy to ask people to take their pictures. However, it’s an excellent spot for local people-watching. The rest? Well, the usual hipster gathering of food trucks, coffee roasters and a Biergarten-style outdoor bar. We ate at a ramen joint and then returned home through Chatuchak. Although not advertised as a night market, some stalls were still open for locals to enjoy at night. The flow of people lowered, so the place seemed a bit more appealing. We figure this is the “right time” to visit- when the tourists are gone and the locals finally come out.