BMA seeks to manage Chatuchak Market again
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to seek permission to start managing the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market again.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said yesterday that the BMA would ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for permission.

The Chatuchak Weekend Market is located on a plot of land owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The BMA had managed the market for 30 years, turning it into a famous attraction, until the land-lease contract expired on January 1, 2012.

"We are ready to negotiate a new rent with SRT," Amorn said.


-- The Nation 2014-06-11

Well back to paying under the table and over the table again....

The BMA are eying up lucrative cherries, now that their friends are in charge.

Yes praise the BMA for turning it into a famous attraction, so famous no tourist has ever heard of them before.

Do they write the Lonely Planet travel guide books too?

No they just collect money, obviously they are out of pocket and need to regain control.

I don't understand what people like so much about this JJ market? It's hot, crowded and dirty.

I don't understand what people like so much about this JJ market? It's hot, crowded and dirty.

Answered your own question:

Hot, crowded and dirty.

So there must be something good there, right? Just like when you see a long line- gotta wonder what they're queuing for- and whether you should be in the line, too.

For me, it's something I'll never see "back home", so worthy of an occasional visit. But I'm outta there by 11:00 when it gets too bad...

Sure it's hot, crowded and (somewhat) dirty:..It's an outdoor market and that's the way outdoor markets are, especially ones as large and selling as large an array of merchandise as Chatuchak. You want air con.?? There are 20+ malls within easy reach...but don't expect to find the variety and unusual items still found at JJ.

Touristy?? Of course! Bangkok is a tourist city and tourists love to shop and a lot of cheap tourist crap is sold there. But for the person willing to go early and burrow around the back aisles, there are still some amazing things to find. High asking prices? Sure, that's part of the game...just find the walk away price and both buyer and seller are usually happy.

DO watch your wallet and bags...it is the number one place in Bangkok for pick-pockets and they do watch the ATM's and they do watch where you put your wallet....all this I found out the hard way.

Try to go early on a cloudy day...a little less hot.

If I remember correctly the BMA lost a court case involving this matter, now they are trying to go pass the courts to the friendly men in uniform. Lets see how serious they are about combating corruption.

JJ Market is one of the best places for local traders to purchase their goods for resale.....

Yes....hot...dirty and chlaustraphobic....but there's some great deals there.......we buy all our trees and plants there at 5am...the vendors deliver and plant for us...great service!!

But....the vendors are constantly harrassed and threatened by the local "mafia" who literally control the market shops, for money.....something that the SRT chooses to totally ignore.