MOrchit - chatuchak

The Morchit - Chatuchak neighborhood is centered around Asia’s biggest open-air market, Chatuchak Weekend Market. This area boasts a wide range of new property developments, large infrastructure investment and plenty of restaurants and shopping venues. All of these factors have played a significant role in attracting a mix of Thai and middle-income foreigners to live in the Morchit - Chatuchak area.
 

location

Currently one of the major transportation hubs for Bangkok, the neighborhood referred to as Morchit - Chatuchak (or Jatujak) is located around the BTS Morchit and Saphan Khwai Stations and MRT Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet Stations, both running along the east side of Chatuchak Park. Construction is underway to extend the BTS beyond its current Morchit terminal up Phahonyothin Road to the far north of Bangkok beyond Don Muang Airport, with the first extension to Lat Phrao Intersection Station opened in 2019. In addition, the new Bang Sue Grand Station where several train lines will converge has recently completed making the Morchit - Chatuchak neighborhood nearby the largest transportation hub in Bangkok.

Several corporate and government offices are located here, including PTT Energy Complex, SJ Infinite One, Sun Tower, TMB Bank Headquarters and the Department of Land Transport.
 

Recent Developments and Average Prices

With significant investment in transport infrastructure planned for the coming years, several new condominium projects have sprung up in the area, with an average price of approximately THB 110,000 – 160,000 per square meter.  Recent projects include: 
 

• Lumpini Selected Sutthisan –Saphankwai, by LPN Development, units priced from THB 3.1 million (THB 118,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• The Line Phahon-Pradipat, developed by Sansiri, units priced from THB 3.3 to 15.9 million (THB 189,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020. 
• The Reserve Phahol-Pradupat, developed by Pruksa Real Estate, units priced from THB 4.58 to 7.2 million (THB 147,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2019.
• The Line Jatujak-Mochit, developed by Sansiri, units priced from THB 4.08 to 23.4 million (THB 202,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2018.
• Equinox Phahol-Vibha, by Major Development, units priced from THB 3.39 to 50.12 million (THB 128,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2014.

After 25 years of legal wrangling, Mo Chit Complex, conceptualized a quarter of a century ago, worth THB 26 billion and covering 63-rai (888,000 sqm), is finally scheduled to begin construction in 2021. The project will comprise 112,000 sq. m. designated for transport and government use and 776,000 sq. m. for commercial use by Bangkok Terminal.

Hospitality and Retail Venues

In this peripheral neighborhood hotels are relatively sparse but notable options include:

Luxury:

• Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, 2.2 km from Chatuchak Weekend Market, rated 8.6 – the room rate is THB 1,454

Mid-Range:

• Mido Hotel, 1.3 km from Chatuchak Weekend Market, rated 8.1 – the room rate is THB 599
• Karnmanee Palace Hotel, 1.4 km from Chatuchak Weekend Market, rated 7.5 – the room rate is THB 641

Budget:

• Boutique Poo-Yai Lee, 0.6 km from Chatuchak Weekend Market, rated 8.5 – the room rate is THB 1,002
• Udee Bangkok hostel, 1 km from Chatuchak Weekend Market, rated 8.9 – the room rate is THB 891

The main shopping malls in the area are the large Central Plaza Ladprao, the busiest Central Mall in the country, and the Union Mall. You can also find JJ Mall & Food Center located in Kamphaeng Phet Soi 2. The MRT operates large Metro Malls at Phahonyothin, Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet Stations. Also, near MRT Kamphaeng Phet, is the Or Tor Kor food market.

Neighborhood shopping is dominated by the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, attracting huge crowds of locals and tourists every Saturday and Sunday, beginning in the early morning. Food, furniture, antiques, clothing, pets, ceramics, musical instruments and almost everything else can be found at this shoppers’ paradise. 
 

Food & Beverage

The Morchit - Chatuchak neighborhood boasts diverse cuisines and a range of excellent dining options. Some of the most popular spots include:
 

• Laemgate, Thai-style seafood.
• Goong Tung, at Chatuchak Market, seafood.
• The Third Pig, Asian fusion.
• Longdo, Vietnamese cuisine.
• In The Middle by Kaizen, Japanese yakiniku.
• Dynasty, Chinese Asian.
   

NightLife
 

Although primarily a residential area, the Morchit - Chatuchak neighborhood also has a wilder side to satisfy local socialites. From classy cocktail bars to open-air chilled vibes, this neighborhood has it all:

• The Centara Grand Hotel hosts Blue Sky, a delightful rooftop bar.
• Black Wolf Bar-Beer Shop.
• Play Yard by Studio Bar.
• Jirafu Sushi & Beer Bar.
• The Third Pig on Phahonyothin Road.

Easily accessible public transport in the area means that all the popular nightlife spots along the Sukhumvit and Silom Roads are just a short commute away.
 

Leisure & Culture
 

At MRT Chatuchak Park Station and BTS Morchit Station is a cluster of three large parks, with a variety of activities: Chatuchak Park, alongside Phahonyothin Road; Queen Sirikit Park, including JJ Green Night Market and Children's Discovery Museum, with hands-in indoor and outdoor science exhibits and Wachirabenjatat (Rod Fai) Park, including Bangkok Butterfly Museum and Insectarium.

At the north end of Wachirabenjatat Park is the beautiful Suan Mokkh Bangkok, a Buddhist education and meditation center and library, dedicated to the work of famous Thai monk and reformer Phra Buddhadasa Bikkhu. For fitness lovers, Absolute You is located at Central Plaza Ladprao.
 

Education, Healthcare and Religion
 

Local and nearby schools include Horwang School as well as Kasetsart University and St. John University. The Civil Aviation Training Center on Phahonyothin Road provides aviation training to the general public and to government organizations.
The closest hospital in the area is Paolo Memorial Hospital on Phahonyothin Road. You can also find Phayathai 2 Hospital within a short distance down Phahonyothin Road next to the BTS Sanam Pao Station. 

Among the Churches in the area are St. John's Catholic Church at the Ladprao and Vibhavadi-Rangsit Roads, Hope of Bangkok Church at Kamphaeng Phet Soi 2 and Mahabhorn Christian Church at Pradipat Road near MRT Saphan Khwai Station. Wat Paitan is located along the Bang Sue Canal near Phahonyothin Soi 15.