Chatuchak is the largest weekend market in the world, and on a hot day the only sensible way to do it is in shifts.
Start at Or Tor Kor across the road. It opens at six and is the calmer of the two — a covered hall of premium produce, prepared food, and the durian stand everyone in the city actually queues for. Eat breakfast standing: kanom krok, grilled river prawns, a young coconut. You'll need the calories.
Then Chatuchak proper. Two hours is the realistic dose; section 22 (vintage clothing) and section 26 (ceramics and design) are the most rewarding if you're short on time. Carry water, take note of which gate you came in at, and accept that you will get lost. That's the point.
When you're done, push west into Chatuchak Park itself — the lake loop is shaded and clears the head in fifteen minutes. Continue into Queen Sirikit Park, the linked botanical garden behind it; this is where Bangkok families come to picnic on Saturdays.
If you have one more shift in you, stay until dusk and walk to JJ Green 2 — the night-market handover that takes over the same block from 17:00 with vintage stalls and beer.
