If one is in need of some new clothing or interesting souvenirs (maybe a new rice cooker), or pretty much anything else you want to buy, you’ll find it at this market. In between all the different stores, you have the choice of food from around the world: pizza, pasta, burritos, tacos, you name it. Although I don’t understand why anyone would want to eat that sort of food instead of the yummy Thai cuisine. Still, some tourist prefer to stick to what they know.

Pet Section At Chatuchak Weekend Market.

If you walk a little bit further into the market you’ll come across the Pet Section. This section is a very controversial one indeed. On one end, you’ll come across anything available to “pamper” your pet: toys, leashes, glittering collars and animal clothing for all occasions. Quite often with a life model sitting in front of the stall.

The other part of the section would be the live animal zone. Though not comparable to some other dreadful animal markets in southeast Asia, it’s nevertheless an unfortunate sight: fifty budgies squeezed into a single cage, rabbits, hamsters, squirrels, guinea pigs longing for water, outgrown cages where even a turn isn’t possible. And on top of this, meowing cats & barking dogs desperately longing for some sort of attention. Chicken, ducks, poultry of all kind and of course the trade of illegal animals is not an unusual sight here.

And for those who can’t resist a bit of gambling, look carefully. Just walk up a few stairs far in the back of Chatuchak market and you’re in the cock-fighting section, illegal as well but with lots of people attending and betting. If you are up for it, you can try to fill up your holiday cash account.

Facts About Chatuchak Market.

• Chatuchak’s opening hours: Saturdays & Sundays from 9.00 am – 6.00 pm and Fridays from 6.00 pm – midnight. The plant sections are also open on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7.00 am – 6.00 pm.
• How to get to Chatuchak Market: Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station; take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd.
• What to see: Ah well, you’ve 30 Acres of pretty much everything you need (or don’t need).

Chatuchak is Bangkok’s most famous weekend market. Apart from the thousands of visitors shopping here everyday, the market also has a dark side. It supports the trade in illegal wildlife – just about any animal you can think of.

A captured Macaw parrot at Chatuchak market. Traders unfortunately make no halt when it comes to endangered animals.

Wildlife crime is a big business – not only in Asia. It’s run by dangerous international networks and wildlife and animal parts are trafficked much like illegal drugs.

The world is dealing with an unprecedented increase of illegal wildlife trade.

In many cases, the actual sale doesn’t take place at the store, but somewhere in a side alley. The bustling market lanes of Chatuchak market provide excellent cover for the exchange.

The pet section at Chatuchak market is dedicated to the sale of animals, with stalls selling cute puppies, kittens, hamsters, ducks, hedgehog and also colourful fish can be purchased for your aquarium.

The illegal trade of endangered animals is a multi-billion dollar industry, yet compared to drug & arms trafficing, not as much throught about.

The animal section at Chatuchak market is nothing for the faint-hearted, since animals here are often kept under horrible conditions.

Cock fighting is very popular all across southeast Asia, including Chatuchak market.

Here’s a short flashback: We spent two weeks in Thailand at the end of September this year. ”Beach paradise here we come” turned into “Beach paradise where are you?” It was raining cats and dogs for days in a row, so we decided to leave Koh Kood island and explore Bangkok.

What can I say? Bangkok itself is great. You just have to leave all the tourist areas (which is not that easy because it’s THE tourist capital in southeast Asia), and start exploring the rural areas & markets. BUT, if you decide to hit the road with a tuk-tuk or taxi, be sure to watch out, because chances of getting ripped off are … well, high! Why? In my opinion there’s only one simple reason: There are far too many tourists. I mean honestly, most Thais try to rip you off pretty much everywhere. They want your money and they’ll do anything to get it…

Buses in Bangkok provide an incredibly cheap way to travel from one side of the city to another. It’s also a great way to see the real Bangkok you don’t often see if you’re travelling by other means of transportation.

Anyway, to get a feeling on what I’m talking about, here are three of our experiences with tuk-tuk & taxis in Bangkok:

Scene 1.

It’s 5.30 in the morning and we need to get to Ekkamai bus station. The hotel staff waves up a taxi and tells him where we want to go. So as he starts driving (and doesn’t start the taximeter himself), I ask how much he wants. He replied “Ohhhh, Ekkamai very far, so 200 bath.” He obviously didn’t know that we’ve been to Ekkamai the day before to buy our tickets and therefore we knew that “very far” it not that far after all. So I asked if he was crazy and I wanted him to start the meter. He them seemed to realize that we knew where we wanted to go … still, he didn’t want to give in so he drove a little scenic tour (but since it was early I didn’t bother) and at 81 Bath, the bus station came into sight. He was nice in the end and joked “Haha, sorry 200 Bath to Ekkamai”.

Résumé: No matter how nice (or old) your driver is, they only want your money!

Scene 2.

We’ve been walking and waking and walking for I don’t know how long and decided to take a tuk-tuk for the last couple of kilometres. Chao Phraya river was our goal. As soon as we waited along the street, a tuk-tuk driver came along. I asked how much be wanted and he told me 200 Bath. I (again) asked if he was crazy. He just said: “Ok ok we make cheaper, you come in.” So we step into the tuk-tuk and he started driving. Again, I asked how much he wanted. He didn’t reply. After maybe 200 meters he stopped and turned around to show us something. “You come with me to my sponsor, then I make you very cheap price.” I said “No.” He said: “ You only look there, I get extra money from sponsor if I bring you there and then cheap for you.” I started getting pissed off and told him: “You either bring us there for 50 Bath or we go now!” He started getting rude, cursed something is Thai and told us to leave. What we gladly did!

Résumé: Stay away from tuk-tuk drivers. They’re only after (guess what) your money! And if you do give in and drive to these “sponsors”, be prepared to pretty much be forced to buy some really expensive rubbish.

While we were there, it almost seemed like that the tuk-tuk drivers don’t really make good business any more (no wonder with their attitude). We’ve maybe only seen a handful of occupied ones … Anybody notice the same?

A tuk-tuk is a widely used in Bangkok and other Thai cities. It is particularly popular where traffic congestion is a major problem, which is the case in Bangkok pretty much 24/7.

Scene 3.

This was on our last day in Bangkok. We were exhausted and therefore skipped the train to the airport. Depending on the rush hour,a taxi drive to the airport would cost about 350-400 Bath. And since I didn’t want any hassle I asked the first taxi driver how much he wanted (before stepping into the car). He said 700 and I told him I’d only pay 400 and he could either say yes or no. He said yes. But the hassle was still to come. Again, after about 500 meters, he stopped the taxi, tuned around and said: ”So much traffic today, you pay more … maybe 500 Bath.” This was it for me. I asked him what in the world his problem was and why he was fine with 400 before if he now wanted 500? I was soooo ready to get out of the cab and I had enough of arguing with this guy. In the end, he reluctantly gave in.

Résumé: They are ALWAYS after your cash, so be aware!

Bangkok’s traffic problem has been getting worse since the government introduced a policy to refund tax for first-time car buyers. To stay out of traffic, take the Skytrain or Subway.

My tip.

• Take the bus, Sky Train or Subway! Buy a day ticket and you’ll not only save money but also unneeded hassle.

We stayed in Bangkok just a couple of days before the flood hit the city. We were pretty disappointed with the weather but I guess after all were lucky in the end. The flood has been described as “the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected“. The area which was severely hit in Thailand was Chao Phraya but also in the Mekong River basin. Beginning in late July and continuing for over two months, the floods have caused over 500 deaths in Thailand (250 in Cambodia, 43 in Vietnam, 34 in Laos) & affected over 2.3 million people.  58 Thai provinces were hit by the flood, from Chiang Mai in the North to the capital city of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya.

As I already said above, we actually experienced the heavy rain ourselves during our travels to India & Koh Kood Island in Thailand. I mean honestly, the weather is crazy all over the globe and sometimes it almost seems like the world is coming to an end. It feels like it’s getting worse every year…but maybe I’m just beginning to be paranoid.

Bangkok started getting ready for the flood while we were there…

Our entire resort on Koh Kood island was under water…

It was raining cats & dogs for three days in a row…

Exploring the wet market in Singapore.

If you arrive in a different city and want to see the real life, markets are the best place to do so. Most of the times, you’ll be the only white person there, because a lot of “regular” travellers don’t dare to go there. That’s a big mistake…but that’s just my opinion.

Since we recently stayed in Thailand for two weeks and had a bit of bad luck with the weather on Koh Kood island, we had four days in Bangkok before returning home. I’ve heard from many people that Bangkok is not that special and there really isn’t that much to see. Well, what can I say?! I’ll have to prove them wrong ;) Here are 6 markets you shouldn’t miss:

Klong Toey Fresh Market.

Klong Toey Fresh Market is Bangkok’s biggest fresh market. This market almost seems like a little village within Bangkok. Why? Two reasons: First, it’s so huge that just by walking around in the district Klong Toey, you’ll somehow end up at the market…there’s no need to walk through little side alleys to get there. And second because you simply find everything you need. Whether it’s food, stationary, kitchenware or cloths. Plus, the district Klong Toey is the biggest slum & sea port area in Bangkok, so there’s a crowd around all the time. It’s a big must for every market fan!

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily from 6.00 am – 2.00 am
• How to get there: Take the MRT subway to Klong Toey station, exit up the escalators and then walk east on Thang Rakfaiko / Rama IV Road for ten minutes until you reach the large intersection of Rama IV and Narong Road. The market will be on your right-hand side. Or, you can take bus numbers 45, 46, 72, 102, or 107 to the area.
• What to find there: Meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, herbs & spices, cloths – pretty much everything you need.

The main building of Klong Toey market.

Street vendors can be found all around Khlong Toey fresh market.

Dead frogs are just one of the many gruesome things you will come across at Khlong Toey fresh market.

A small, hidden village deep within the Bangkok busy city jungle; Khlong Toey fresh market seems to have a life of its own.

Klong Toey is a very ‘fresh’ market, offering low prices on raw meat, seafood, farm produce, and other items.

There’s also a fruit section at Klong Toey.

Fresh crabs are a speciality at Khlong Toey fresh market.

Porters roam the streets of Khlong Toey fresh market, waiting for customers to uploading their latest purchases.

Mahachai Market.

Mahachai is a small town located about 45 kilometres southwest of central Bangkok. Mahachai is famous for one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand. It’s one of the main seafood distribution centres that feeds the hungry population of Bangkok. Seafood producers from the entire country come here to sell their catch. As soon as you arrive at the market, the smell of seafood sticks with you even after you leave the market.

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily from 6.00 am
• How to get there: Either go by car, or if you want a bit of an adventure, take the train. The train to Mahachai leaves from Wongwianyai station. Take the BTS to Wongwianyai and from there you have to walk a couple of minutes to get to the station. Make sure you get your ticket before you get on the train (cos about 10 Bath per person).
• What to find there: Fresh fish, dried fish, crabs, shrimps and a southeast Asian specialty: Blood.

Mahachai market and the railway live next to each other, so when the first train arrives from Bangkok, vendors have to move their wares off the tracks for the train to pull into the station.

Even if you’ve never heard Mahachai market, you’ve probably seen a video of a train going through a tightly packed market, where market stalls are set up on the rails.

Fresh fish can be found all over Mahachai market, this unfortunately also includes sharks & shark fins.

Mahachai Market is one of Thailand’s largest traditional fresh seafood markets, where visitors will find all sorts of fish – fresh, or dried.

Dried fish can be found all around Mahachai market. Drying food is the world’s oldest known preservation method, and dried fish has a storage life of several years. The method is cheap and effective in suitable climates.

One might not like to think about this, but blood is one of the most important ingredients in the southeast Asian cuisine. At Mahachai market, you will come across many stall like the one above.

Chatuchak Market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ) is one of the world’s largest weekend markets. It covers an area of almost 30 Acres, is divided into 28 different sections & contains more than 15.000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand. You can imagine my face when I stepped out of the BTS train and saw this huge market…jaw dropping. Chatuchak Market is a very popular shopping destination for Thais but has also become very popular with tourists. Thais from all over the country come here to buy goods for their local shop. Each day, about 200.000 visitors come here (30 % tourists). You can pretty much find everything there, from books to antiques to live animals and plants.

Yes, Chatuchak Makret sounds like a true shopper’s delight. For me, it was much less than that; not only am I not a fan of huge gatherings, but also the entire area was simply too large. As soon as we stepped out of the BTS train, the crowds started showing up. The way from the BTS station to the entrance of the market was maybe only 100 meters, yet it took us almost 15 minutes to get there. Viewing the market from above (from the bridge from the BTS station to the market area) still made it all quite clear but as soon as we were down in the crowd, our orientation got lost. I suggest that you go with the flow, because otherwise you’re just going to struggle. They’ll lead you somewhere anyway.

Tips.

• Chances of getting lost in the crowd are high. If you’re there with a friend, make sure you conclude a meeting point before.
• Wear comfy shoes; you’ll walk a lot.
• Drink, drink, drink…you’ll sweat like a pig so keep your water level high!

Facts.

• Opening hours: Saturdays & Sundays from 9.00 am – 6.00 pm and Fridays from 6.00 pm – midnight. The plant sections are also open on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7.00 am – 6.00 pm.
• How to get there: Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station; take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd.
• What to find there: Ah well, you’ve 30 Acres of pretty much everything you need (or don’t need).

Just follow the crowd to Chatuchak market.

Chatuchak weekend market is a great place for good quality fabric and excellent tailors.

Foos stalls at Chatuchak market offer all sorts of different cuisines.

One of the many aisles at Chatuchak market.

Food stalls are all around Chatuchak market; 200.000 mouths need to be fed every day ;)

Bo Be Tower Clothing Market.

Bo Be market has been known as the centre of garment wholesale for over 30 years. Today there are well over 1.300 shops under one roof making Bo Be the biggest garment wholesale centre in Thailand. Furthermore, Bo Bae offers you shipping services to send your cargo worldwide. It is THE place for all types of clothing, for men, women and children; casual and formal. I liked this market because it was not so over run by people. And I actually bought something for a change ;) A shirt for my dad for about 40 bath…pretty darn cheap.

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily
• How to get there : Taxi or Bus no. 1, 4, 7, 25, 53
• What to get there: Cloths (including traditions Thai cloths), shoes, bags, etc.

Bo Be market in Bangkok is a real jeans paradise.

Bo Be market is a great spot for children’s cloths at a very low price.

Saphan Khao Fruit Market.

I have never seen so many fruits in one spot as on the  Saphan Khao Fruit Market. Truly unbelievable! Tons and tons of different fruits. You’ll get every exotic fruit there is right here. We were told that all of Bangkok comes here for fruits; whether it’s the local food vendor from next door or the chef of a five star restaurant. Saphan Khao is THE place to go to!

Facts.

• Opening Hours: Daily from 6.00 am – 6.00 pm (as far as the taxi driver told me correctly)
• How to get there: Bus no. 2, 59, 60, 79, 511 or Taxi
• What to get there: All kind of fruits in huge quantities.

A visit to a fruit market with dragon fruits, mangoes, melons, pineapples and star fruit piled up agains each other is a definite must. In Bangkok there is no better example of such a place than the Saphan Khao Fruit Market.

Whether you’re looking for fresh watermelons, or pretty much any other fruit, Saphan Khao is the right place.

We’ve never seen so many pineapples on one single spot. The Saphan Khao fruit market is a real delight, also thanks to the lovely smell of fresh fruits.

You can buy as many truck-loads of pineapples as you want at Saphan Khao fruit market.

Mangoes are one of our favourite fruits and at Saphan Khao market, you’ll find tons of the most yummy mangos you’ll ever come across.

Pak Klong Talat Flower Market.

Pak Klong Talat is a large wholesale flower market. Merchants travel here from all over Thailand to sell their flowers and wandering the streets here is a colourful and fragrant experience. Out of all the markets, this one was the least “spectacular”; not because there was nothing to see but more because by the time we got there it was 3.00 pm and the “trading traffic” was over already. Next time I’ll be there at 2.00 am, cause that’s when the business starts at Pak Klong Talat.

Facts.

• Opening hours: 2.00 am – 6.00 pm
• How to get there: The market is on Chakphet Road. You can either get there by Taxi or with the Express Boat (station Saphan Phut) and then by foot.
• What to get there: Flowers, flowers & more flowers.

Lots of lovely smelling flowers can be found at Pak Klong Talat market.

Pak Khlong Talat is the primary flower market in Bangkok and is also called a “place of symbolic values” to Bangkok residents”.

You’ll definitely find the right flower for your loved one at Pak Klong Talat flower market.

If you’ve read the entire article (or just looked at the photos), you’ll realize that the markets in Bangkok are a big must. Not only for fans like us but everyone. If you have the time, stay a couple of days longer and simply stroll the streets of this super exciting city. You won’t regret it. These markets will give you an impression of Bangkok that will stick with you, away from the tourist traps.

Anyway, I don’t eat everything as one might think now…I try to stay away from certain foods like beef & pork during all of my travels. I prefer chicken, fish, lots of vegetables & fruits.

If there’s a (full) plate on the table, I’m happy ;)

…and this is what I’ll leave behind – empty plates ;)

Now you all know that I love food & that Thailand was my personal food paradise, so therefore I really don’t want to keep all the good stuff we saw at the markets from you. Here are a couple of photos of fresh veggies & fruits & ready-to-eat dishes…

Fresh vegetables.

Thai aubergine and Okra can be found at the markets in Bangkok.

Tons of lemon grass.

Fresh fruits.

I usually don’t like bananas, but the ones in Asia make it into my tummy as well ;)

Fresh Pineapples at a market in Bangkok.

Mangos are one of my favourite.

You’ll find lemons on every market in Bangkok.

Chili is a must in every Thai dish – and I’m happy about that ;)

Ready-to-eat dishes.

A vegetable noodle soup with fresh basil & sojbeans – absolutely fantastic!

Different varieties of food/curry at a food vendor in Bangkok.

Best Pad Thai I’ve ever eaten!

Thai green curry with rice – I’m hungry.

Fresh curry at a market in Bangkok.

Another fresh veggie soup – yummy!

Fried rice – I ate that at the bus station in Trat & it was so good; never knew fried rice could be so tasty.

Grilled bananas at a market in Bangkok.

Anyone hungry now?

It’s the celebration of the Chinese belief that if you abstain from meat & dairy products, you’ll enjoy good health and bliss. Since we’re in Bangkok at the moment, we had to travel to Chinatown (particular around Charoen Krung Road – here you’ll find heaps of little side streets to wander around) to see how the Chinese actually celebrate this festival.

How we found out about the Vegetarian Festival.

While stuck in traffic, our taxi driver told us that nearly every street in Bangkok’s Chinatown will come alive with yellow flags, starting on the 25th of September 2011. During the nine festival days, traffic will be really bad around the Chinatown area. He said that when you see one of these flags at a restaurant or food vendor, they will only offer a vegan menue. Well, this is not always the case … while we walked around the streets in Chinatown, we came across many little food stalls with yellow flags, yet still there was meat on display. I guess the thought counts.

History of the Vegetarian Festival.

So how come there is such a thing as a Vegeatian Festival Bangkok and how did it get here? It’s believed that a Chinese group fell ill during their visit to Bangkok. They then decided to follow a strict vegan diet. At the same time they prayed for the purification of the body & mind to the Nine Emperor Gods. Since then, the Chinese in Bangkok celebrate this festival annually. If you ask me, it’s a great one; not eating meat from time to time isn’t only healthy but even the hardest meat-eaters will realize how yummy veggies can be ;)

Walking along in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Yellow banners at Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok.

A food vendor (selling fried bananas) in Chinatown.

In the heart of Chinatown.

The yellow flag (usually) indicates a vegan food restuarant/vendor.