Sunday at a glance

Prices are levels: € = free to a few hundred baht, €€ = up to about 1,500 baht. For more on each market, see Bangkok's markets, day by day.

What is open on Sunday (and what is not)

There is no Sunday rest day in Bangkok: the shopping malls, Wat Pho (8am-7:30pm according to our page) and the Grand Palace (8:30am-4:30pm, possible closures for royal ceremonies) are open daily. Banks and government offices close; ATMs keep working. See opening hours, Sundays and public holidays.

The wholesale flower market of Pak Khlong Talat never closes and is busiest from 4am to 8am. The "train" night markets (Rot Fai Srinakarin) open in the evening, usually Wednesday to Sunday: confirm the day on their official page. Chatuchak only runs at weekends; on weekdays only the plant market operates.

Morning: Chatuchak, then Or Tor Kor

Arrive at opening time (9am) by BTS (Mo Chit station) or MRT (Kamphaeng Phet), before the heat and the midday crowds. Find the clock tower, bring small notes, water and a bag you can close. Bargain with a smile. Finish with lunch at Or Tor Kor, just across Kamphaeng Phet Road: fruit, curries and desserts, calmer than the big market. The Chatuchak and Rot Fai parks next door are a shady place to rest. For the whole area, see Chatuchak and Ari.

Afternoon: water, bikes or air-conditioning

  • Taling Chan (Thonburi side) is the easiest floating market to fit in: grilled food on a pontoon and a short canal ride. It closes early (around 4pm), so go in the morning.
  • Bang Krachao is a half-day by bike: a short boat from the Wat Khlong Toei Nok pier, rental on the spot (an ID is sometimes asked as a deposit). The Bang Nam Phueng floating market opens on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 2pm, so come in the morning. For guided rides and safety rules, see Bangkok by bike.
  • An air-conditioned break: if heat or rain wins, a mall beats the market; see what to do in Bangkok when it rains.

Evening: Amphawa, or an easier Sunday in town

Amphawa floating market is open Friday to Sunday, from the afternoon into the evening. Sunday evening is calmer than Saturday, but the way back to Bangkok is long: an organised tour with transfer saves you the drive, see floating market and Maeklong train tour and the comparison Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa. Tours vary (some leave at midday and include Maeklong): check the operating days before booking.

If you would rather stay in the city, Jodd Fairs is open daily from 5pm to about 1am and Yaowarat in Chinatown comes alive in the evening. To decide what to book for tonight, see what to do tonight in Bangkok.

Three plans for a Sunday

  • Shopping and eating: Chatuchak from 9am, lunch at Or Tor Kor, evening at Jodd Fairs.
  • Water and nature: Bang Krachao by bike in the morning with Bang Nam Phueng, then relax in town.
  • Short on time: a half-day in the centre, see Bangkok in half a day, then Taling Chan or Or Tor Kor.

Sunday pitfalls

  • Chatuchak is very crowded between noon and 4pm; the heat under the tin roofs is strong.
  • At floating markets, pay for the boat after the ride, never in advance; see scams and safety.
  • Hours of small markets vary with the season and the weather.
  • Coming back late from Amphawa, do not count on a random taxi: arrange the return, see Grab or taxi in Bangkok.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chatuchak open on Sunday?

Yes, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm, free entry. On weekdays only the plant market runs (Wednesday and Thursday), with wholesale on Friday evening.

Which floating market should I choose on a Sunday?

Taling Chan, inside Bangkok, if you are short on time; Amphawa for an evening on the water, with an organised tour or a night on site.

Are temples and malls open on Sunday?

Yes. Wat Pho and the Grand Palace open daily (the Grand Palace may close for royal ceremonies), as do the malls.

Can I cycle in Bangkok on Sunday?

Yes, especially in Bang Krachao or in the parks. The centre at rush hour is not recommended for beginners.

Do I need to book ahead on a Sunday?

Not for Chatuchak, Or Tor Kor or Taling Chan. For a tour with transfer to Amphawa or a guided bike ride, book the day before and check the operating day.

Going further

See floating markets near Bangkok and Bangkok at night to extend your evening.