Chatuchak Weekend Market
You can buy just about anything at the city's largest market (and purportedly the largest open-air market in the world), including silk and cotton textiles in a mutmee (tie-dyed before weaving) design that would sell for five times the price in the United States. All sections of the market are open on Saturdays and Sundays, while the plant nursery is also open Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's best to come in the morning before the place gets too crowded and hot. An afternoon at JJ, as it is known by locals ("ch" is pronounced "jha" in Thai, so phonetically Chatuchak is Jatujak), is not for the faint of heart: up to 200,000 people visit each day, and there are more than 15,000 vendors. Keep your bearings by remembering that the outer ring has mainly new clothing and shoes, with some plants, garden supplies, and home decor. The next ring is primarily used (and some new) clothing and shoes plus accessories like jewelry, belts, and bags. Farther in are pottery, antiques, furniture, dried goods, and live animals. Be prepared with bottles of water, comfortable shoes, and make sure to print out a copy of the map of the market from the website. Strategically placed food vendors mean you don't have to stop shopping to grab a bite.
