Chatuchak Weekend Market

Today I’ve been to the Hell that is “Chatuchak Weekend Market”! It is the largest Market in Bangkok; thankfully it is only on Saturday and Sunday.
For those who are ever in Bangkok, it can be reached very easily from the centre of the City, you can take either the Skytrain (BTS) to the Terminus of Mo-Chit (Yes it is pronounced Mo-Shit) or the Underground (MRT) to Chatuchak Station. When you get there just follow the crowds!
The Market takes up about the size of 20 football pitches and is a series of small alleys intertwined with a few larger roads, there are clothes stands all over the place, but everything else as its own section, the animal section, crafts, shoes, paintings even food to eat is pretty much in one place.
You can tell when your near the animal section, the smell hits your nose like a good left hook, if your into animal rights, you’d probably best not going down, all of the kittens, puppies, fish, rabbits and rodents look fine, but they are living in appalling conditions when not at the show, there are hundreds of puppies, all of them look super cute, however a friend bought a Yorky Terrier their last year and had to spend a fortune on vets bills to keep the thing alive, when not sold they serve a final role in life, feeding the other pets! Seriously.
The crowds are a killer! There are so many people, and up and down the alleys you have traders taking gear to their stalls, but it is worth a visit. Stuff like shoes, jeans, trainers and handicrafts are so much cheaper than in the centre of Town.

The food places are chaotic, but just make yourself known to the staff and when a place becomes avaliable, they'll fetch you. The picture opposite is called "Som Tam", it is like carrot, cabbage and tomatoe in a spicy chilli dressing, lovely on it own or good added with your main order. The Restaurant we ate at was called the "Tohplue" Most of the food comes in what it is made from, its a little expensive all this plus drinks cost 460bht (£6.20). However the food was excellent and its worth the wait.

Something’s to be aware of, if approached by anyone offering you anything, walk away politely; they will offer Gems, Gold and watches. If you want Gems and Gold then go to approved shops, what you buy from the guy on the Market will be fake. Pick pockets can be a pain, so be sensible. Lastly don’t give any money to Beggars, while some may be legitimate, most like the Beggars in town are being pimped, bought to the Market and then hand over the largest part of their take.