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Located in section 26 of the market, antiques on sale in Chatuchak include furniture, paintings, Buddha images, lamps, jewelry, clocks, and carvings. However, take care when considering a purchase, because first of all genuine antiques need documentation for customs clearance, and secondly, Thai craftsmen are highly skilled in creating fakes.

Thailand is renowned all over the world for its handicrafts, including woodcarvings, basketware, lacquerware, ceramics, silk, silverware, and musical instruments. Such items can be found in section 8 of the market, where, with a little bit of luck, all the gifts you may need for friends and family can be bought in one go.

Around 5,000 stalls sell either clothes or fashion accessories. Most of them are in sections 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20. With rock-bottom prices, these are some of the most popular and crowded sections of the market.

Items to beautify your home can be found in sections 2 to 7. While some of these might be too bulky to ship home, there are plenty of small souvenirs.

Bibliophiles will love section 1 which has remaindered art books stacked beside collectible first editions and back issues of magazines. It is best visited last as the weight of purchases may discourage farther exploration of the market.

More than 400 food and drink stalls are scattered throughout the market. Many of these stalls sell only one dish in which they are experts, so snacking here can be a gourmet experience.

The tall clocktower in the heart of the market is a useful landmark because it is visible from many areas. If you get lost, head for this clocktower, from where it should be easy to find your way.

If you need a break from the crowds, take a stroll in the adjacent Chatuchak Park, just north of the market. Opened in December 1980, the park has a lot of open space and shaded areas. Running the length of the park is an artificial lake with a number of bridges crossing it. Inside the park is the Hall of Railway Heritage. The large exhibition hall of the museum showcases old steam locomotives and rail carriages. Miniature trains of different sizes are also displayed.

In this section of the market you can pick up a young fruit tree or a rose bush, a sweet-smelling jasmine plant or a delicate orchid. They also sell fertilizer, flower pots, and gardening tools.

Pretty tropical flowers on display

In sections 9, 11, 13, and 15 of the market, animals, such as dogs, cats, tortoises, and songbirds, can be seen for sale as pets. However, the market also has an unfortunate reputation for trade in endangered species .