Chatuchak is like a small city in itself. The market is already divided into areas depending on the merchandise they are selling. There is an area for dry goods like clothes, bags and shoes. There is also an area allotted for household fixtures. Plants and raw food are also sold in one of the market’s section. It is quite big but still very much crowded because most people come here on weekends to buy things in bulk. They are cheap when you buy in big quantities, but you still need to have a skill in bargaining. Ask first the prices they offer and settle to the one selling the cheapest price. So as to avoid getting lost, mark down the stall name and number and check the market’s map for reference. Chatuchak is accessible, being the last stop of the BTS (Skytrain). Shoppers can easily go there and hail a cab along the highway.

If you are in Bangkok on the weekend make sure that you take the Skytrain out to the colossal Chatuchak markets. To get here you need to take the Skytrain out to Mo Chit.

This is one of the largest weekend markets in the world and it is huge, steamy hot and very disorientating but still fantastic.

Everything you can think of is here, where to start? It is divided into sections which is a great theory but when you start wandering within it’s internal maze you will soon find that you won’t end up where you were hoping you would.

Loads of clothing outlets are here with all the International brand names such as Polo but all copies of course

If you are squeamish, make sure you avoid the fresh food sections, where all types of bits and pieces with the stench to match are enough to turn any stomach.

Likewise, the pet section can be upsetting, but on the whole, most of the animals for sale we saw were well looked-after, albeit a little stressed from the heat. I am glad that we didn’t stumble onto the protected/rare species section, as it would have been too much. There are signs up all over this section prohibiting photography, so there has obviously been criticism in the past. One of the funniest sights we saw was a cockatoo having a blow wave. He was sitting on a perch, looking bedraggled and scrawny and dripping wet whilst the store owner was blow-drying him with a hairdryer, and he was loving it.

For us, the aquarium supplies were the main find, with all sorts of bits and pieces at a miniscule fraction of what we pay at home, and we bought so much that we had to buy a bag to bring it home. Spoilt fishes.

The homeware section will also tempt you with everything from lamps, shades, soft furnishings but unfortunately we just couldn't carry anything more.

This market is well worth visiting to take a look.

A huge market that happens every weekend just outside of Bangkok. The market is easily accessible by BTS (Mo Chit station) or MRT (chatuchuck station). Prices are very low and bargaining is expected, go with an open mind and be prepared to come home with goodies. The market is organized (somewhat) by type of products, and maps are available at many entrances. You can get everything from Thailand T-shirts to furniture to jewelry. A few caveats: the market can get crowded (especially in the afternoon--beware of pickpockets), and it is pretty hot, so stay hydrated. If you are in Bangkok over the weekend, I would make every effort to get to the market just to see it and experience it. It's a great way to get a taste of Thai culture and lifestyle. Most shopkeepers speak a little English, and bargaining via calculator is common with shopkeepers who only speak Thai.

Our first afternoon, we went to the weekend market (Chatuchak). Trying to find places is a bit challenging. We opted to take our chances and gather experience by riding the bus rather than calling a taxi. The front desk people were only 50% helpful. We got on bus no. 44 but had to jump off because we were going the wrong way. We crossed the highway and got on bus no. 44 going the other direction.

All those tales about raw meat, fighting cocks, clothes, fried pig skin, baskets, and anything else you can imagine are correct. The smell was pretty overpowering at times, but it was a fabulous experience and would be great fun for a shopper, particularly someone who likes to go to flea markets and other places where you never know what you will find. About 1 hour after getting there, I had to take a taxi home. I was feeling dizzy, with my stomach was hurting. I have read from other travelers that this is not uncommon on the first day or two. The rest of the family stayed on, bargaining for souvenirs.

Probably the best place to go to get your native trinkets and baubles.

We decided to be a little adventurous and take the sky train to the Chatuchuk market. The sky train was very cheap and hardly anyone was on it. Rich and I were surprised at how clean it was, and it was air-conditioned and quicker than a cab. I have no idea why more people do not use it.

The market is incredible. It is about the size of a stadium market, but has four times as much stuff crammed in it. People say if you can’t find it in the market, then it doesn’t exist in Thailand. We found very good deals on things, but you MUST bargain. If you do not like the price, then you walk away. Nine times out of ten, they call you back and tell you "for you discount" and give it to you for the price you wanted. We left for lunch since we did not trust the vendors at the market. There were inadequate washing facilities and the open trench sewers ran near the vendor booths. The place was incredibly stinky. Every 10 feet, a new smell would assault your nose. The market was dirty, crowded, and hot--a perfect recipe for a migraine, but we did okay.

Lesson Learned: Go EARLY in the morning. Bring some snacks and plenty of water. Protect your valualbles from pickpockets (99% of Thai people are courteous, honest, polite, and hardworking . . . but there are a few pickpockets in every country). Remember that there are cultural differences, and try not to openly gawk or stare at things you find odd or repugnant. Yes, some Thai people eat insects (a delicacy), but we eat things that are much worse for you healthwise (Twinkies, bacon, etc.).