The King of Weekend Markets

Images from personal collection

Throughout my blog I will keep referring to various weekend markets in Asia mainly Thailand and Indonesia. We will start with the undisputed king The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand. It claims to be the worlds largest weekend market, just look at these facts. It covers an area of 35 acres, contains15,000 to 20,000 shops and stalls (nobody really knows how many), has over 200,000 visitors each day, and they spend an estimated total of 30 million baht (approx US$750,000). The range of products on sale is extensive, and includes household accessories, ceramics, furniture, handicrafts, religious artifacts, art, antiques, live animals, books, music, clothes, trendy fashion, shoes, jewellary, food, plants and flowers…hmn think of 15000 stalls!! It’s a good place to search for local crafts. I have lived I in Bangkok for a year and a half but I cannot say I have seen all of it. Think of anything and you have got it there. You want to decorate your house, buy plants, take your guests for a real Thai experience, and want to buy gifts for friend’s back home, head towards chatuchak. And mind you its not one of those comfortable stroll while looking at great things to shop for. An early start at around 8 is highly recommended as after noon there is hardly any space to move. It’s got great local designer as well as export quality stuff to buy. But the most enjoyable is the Thai experience. Food being sold on streets, small vendors displaying and shouting their wares or making odd sounds, as it is typical in Asia. Bargain hard…this place puts your bargaining skills to test. Mingle around and if you like it….then trust me that’s just the beginning of your love affair with Thailand.