Across the street from the
Chatuchak Park is the
Bangkok Transit System building, a modern structure that houses the offices for the new
SkyTrain, an elevated train system that brings folks to the
Chatuchak Market on weekends. Luckily I worked there, so all I had to do was get across
Pholyothin Road to the market.
The market is broken into segments. One area will be mostly clothes, one area plants and pets, the next may be used military equipment. Most of the area is covered by interlocking canvas tarps that retain the heat. Make absolutely sure you have a couple of liters of bottled water with you.
Some of the items I picked in the market included Rolex and Breitling watches, clothes for my kids (not much for me, I'm 6 foot 2 inches and weigh 260 lbs), some leather goods and some artwork. Carry your money in your front pocket with your hand in there too. There are a few talented pickpockets there. It is a pretty safe place, and make sure you bargain with the seller, which is half the fun. Remember it is not America or Britain, so it is expected that you haggle to get the prices down. Some folks won't haggle, but don't waste your time, there's plenty of folks selling the exact same thing within twenty feet who would be glad to give you a better deal.