From an online marketplace set up for former students, lecturers and staff of Chulalongkorn University to sell items during the Covid-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc on the global economy, Chula Marketplace is now ready to temporarily move from the virtual world to the real world. The community is organising Chula Market Fest, which will run from tomorrow until Sunday, from noon until 9pm, at Siam Square.
Established by former student of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Architecture Panaphon Juntarasugree, Chula Marketplace started off only as a place where the founder wanted to sell his mother's food. Yet the online marketplace rose to popularity in no time. In less than a week after its launch, Chula Marketplace drew over 150,000 members. Now the Facebook group has more than 287,000 members.
Panaphon Juntarasugree, founder of Chula Marketplace. Chula Market Fest
As for Chula Market Fest, Panaphon wants it to be an event where visitors can come and feel the vibes of the festive season. The fair features over 500 shops with products ranging from food, beverages, fashion and lifestyle items to tourism-related services, just to name a few.
For the food section, highlights include delicacies from Asia Hotel Bangkok, Angel & Stone, Little Chef Prim, Toeyhom Homemade, Kanomjeenpastel, Sausage Station, Mae Juk braised beef, Ko-Ke-Kok-Ko, Meat Works, Halongbay and many more.
As for the tourism section, special services, packages and promotions are on offer from business like Little Shelter Chiang Mai, MeStyle Museum Hotel, Habitat Hospitality, Praya Palazzo in Bangkok, Tammarene Villa in Ratchaburi, The Tongsai Bay and Siam Amazing Park.
Chula Market Fest. Chula Marketplace
During the three-day fair, there will also be performances and concerts by leading artists. The line-up includes Thitima "Ann" Pathumthip, Jeff Satur, Paris "Ice" Intarakomalyasut, Thanapob "Tor" Leeratanakachorn and many more. There will also be a concert by the CU Band of Chulalongkorn University and a performance to raise funds for the Thai Theatre Foundation.
Chula Market Fest. Chula Marketplace
Admission is free. For more information and programmes, visit facebook.com/Chulamarketplaceofficial or email Panaphon@2bable.co.th.
