How late in the day do these markets stay open? I know that it is best to get there very early to avoid the heat but if I can't how late do they stay open?

Chatuchak around 5pm i think. Tis hot under the tin roofs. Really you can buy a lot of the same things at Pratunam markets and mbk.

Walking at night between pratunam and mbk there is a lot of food and things for sale.

Bill,

Here's the information on JJ market: http://www.chatuchak.org/

I believe on Thursday or Friday night there's a midnight market as well. I would aim to be there early in the morning to avoid the extreme heat. Or Tor Kor becomes very quiet around late afternoon.

You going with Olive?

Yes she wants to pick out her fruits - mangostiens and langsat.

As far as the weekend market goes- I have found the best deals are there- better bargaining! Yes you pay a price so to speak as its god awful hot!

Couple of cute bars I like in Chatuchak, Viva bars, one in soi 26..... Ice cold beers when it's super hot...

Prices are pretty much the same in JJ or pratunam. Most of the stuff at JJ is junk anyway.

I have shopped both places and found the bargaining to be better at the weekend market and the items I bought were given as small gifts to our friends and they were much appreciated - not junk at all! The selection at Pratunam is not as large.

we will take a trip to the weekend mkt in September... our 1st in many many years.

are there cyclos to take you along the lanes??

Take the subway as it puts you right into market. Go early to avoid the heat. Bring drinks as you will get thirsty. When you exit the subway into the market pay attention to landmarks so you will be able to find it again when you leave. I usually orient myself with respect to the clock tower and what stalls are there when I enter- the place is so big you could get lost- even with a map. The last time I brought a wheeled carry on which was handy as I bought a lot of gifts.
Of course buying several of one kind gets you a better price when bargaining and I use a calculator to show the vendor what I want to pay as that seems to work best.

If you want good prices learn the Thai words for numbers. Using a calculator makes you look green and fresh off the plane. The numbers are easy to learn.

No need to learn the words as my method works very well!The vendor is more apt to bargain with me as I do not speak my price. That way others will not know the price we arrive at. The vendor will shake their head yes or they display another price on their calculator.

just offer 40% and sick olive on him

What are you buying?

Using the MRT (subway), hop off at Kamphaeng Phet and use exit #1 for the weekend market, and exit #3 for Or Tor Kor.

There is a shopping arcade in the tunnel connecting the two.

We buy small items as giveaways, also scarves, tablecloths, fans, purses, etc. Nothing expensive just small things that we give to friends, our doctors, nurses, dentists, and other folks. Based on their reaction, they enjoy what we give them!
Curt1591- thanks for that tip!

Ok. Those little things are good gifts but nearly all of them have elephants on them and only the colour changes. You can buy them in nearly every mkt.

Sampeng, Chinatown, is also a good spot for all the "What-did-you-bring-me-from-Thailand" stuff.

I'd avoid Chinatown

I avoid it too, especially with the latest construction. However, I also avoid JJ, and most of "downtown".

This will be our 5th trip to Bangkok- we avoid Chinatown as we never liked it. We do find shopping at MBK more enjoyable for the obvious reason-its got AC! Pratunam in the past has had some good items and last trip we found some interesting items at Asiatique. But nothing beats the weekend market for breath of vendors and their willingness to bargain!