A bargain-hunter's paradise

The Chatuchak Weekend Market hosts 27 sections selling merchandise ranging from clothes, souvenirs and secondhand books to fine art. [Photo by Lin Qi / China Daily]

Thailand's capital excites travelers eager to shop.

Shopping is one of the main reasons why tourists come to Bangkok. Many of the city's malls are connected to BTS skytrain stations, which allow people to escape the heat and humidity.

However, Bangkok also boasts countless, dazzling markets and bazaars where Thai people shop for almost everything. Among them, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Train Market are two must-see places. Otherwise, visitors shouldn't be able to say they've been to Bangkok.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

It's said to be one of the biggest weekend markets in the world, with thousands of booths. Some people fly to Bangkok just to shop at Chatuchak, or Jatujak, as it is pronounced in Thai.

The market sells plants and flowers from Wednesday to Thursday; Friday is the wholesale day. It is on Saturday and Sunday that a wide variety of miscellaneous commodities attract a large number of visitors and traders.

The market is divided into 27 sections selling merchandise such as clothes, decorative items, Thai souvenirs, secondhand books and pet articles. Eateries provide authentic Thai food and drinks, such as pad thai and mango with sticky rice.

One of my Thai friends, Tananart Sakolvittayanon, a college student who lives near the market, says Chatuchak is far more fun and lively than going to malls. "Usually stuff that is sold at Chatuchak is always cheaper than other places in Bangkok, but the quality is the same."

Visitors can get a free map of the market at the entrance gates. If you get lost, don't be afraid to ask the vendors for directions; most of them can speak English. Many of the young vendors enjoy chatting with foreign visitors. An employee at a Thai dried food and seafood shop said it took him five to six weeks to become familiar with Chatuchak.