Chatuchak market is well known as the world’s biggest weekend market and certainly the most eclectic. Situated close to AVANI Atrium Bangkok, travellers looking for some adventurous excursions in Bangkok find it a great place for getting in touch with the local beat and picking up a great bargain at the same time. With just over 9000 booths at the market, you can buy anything and everything from eccentric trinkets and fancy knick-knacks to clothes, antiques and exotic home decor from every corner of the globe.

One of the biggest highlights of Chatuchak is the ability to bargain your way to a good price. The market is a continuous buzz of activity with the constant negotiations that go through on a daily basis. The power of a great deal lies in how well you can relate to the local sellers and Thai culture being as it is, sellers can be persuaded to give you their best price if you turn up the charm and right attitude. More often than not, you’d find yourself walking away with a good deal and probably a nice chat with your seller.

Bargaining is serious business and at this level, it takes quite a bit out of you. So after a long day of shopping, haggling and the general hustle & bustle of the place, head to one of the many food and drink outlets right at the market itself. The true essence of Thai street food can be found throughout the streets of the market- from mouth-watering Khao gang (curry rice), Guay Thi ew pik gai, a soup noodle dish with your choice of sen mee (rice vermicelli), sen yai (thick rice noodles), or giem ee (Chinese-style hand rolled noodles) to the popular Hainanese-style chicken rice (Khao mun gai).

While Chatuchak market may not be every travellers cup of tea, there’s something to be said about the chaos, activity and random treasures and oddities that you find around the stalls. Even if you don’t walk away with a bargain, the experience itself makes a visit worthwhile.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+