The atmosphere is buzzing, people push and shove past you, manoeuvering through the narrow sois en route to find their next great bargain in the jumble of items piled up in one of about 8000 sellers' shops. This is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as the Jatujak Market, located on 35 acres northeast of Bangkok, attracting 200 000 visitors every weekend to tackle the maze of stalls.

The smell of deep frying food fills your nose while the aroma of freshly peeled coconut entices you to buy a freshly made, creamy coconut ice cream. The Chatuchak Market is an overwhelming, hot experience that is capable of tiring out its visitors at an extremely quick rate, warranting the need for many food and drink vendors, so visitors can replenish and keep their shopping experience going.

Thailand has a reputation for its delicious food and is known for its variety of street vendors. The majority of Thais do not cook meals for themselves at home if they live in the city, and most kitchens are only equipped with a hot plate, no stove or oven. So street vendors have continued to be a necessary and appreciated part of Thai culture all over the country, for quick and easy meals on the go. These smaller, pop-up restaurants and snack stands can be easily transported into different locations and are convenient for vendors to bring their goods to wherever they will get the most business. Like all markets around Thailand, these services are also provided at Chatuchak, in large numbers in order to cater to the many guests that go through every weekend.

Street vendors can choose to sell traditional Thai snack foods and meals, to keep Thai cultural traditions. There are also many non-traditional snack foods to please visitors, such as french fry stands. The Chatuchak Market provides many options to tingle everybody's taste buds, no matter what your preference, from fruit stands, through deep-fried salty treats, to refreshingly delicious, sugary bubble teas. Many vendors cater to tourists who are looking for popular Thai dishes they have heard of and want to try, such as pad thai and som tam, which are always crowd pleasers.

• It can get very hot: make sure to dress appropriately and stay hydrated. Temperatures are generally cooler in the morning than in the middle of the afternoon

• Wear comfy shoes as there aren't many places in the market to sit down and take a rest

• Go in the morning to avoid the huge crowds; around 10 am is probably ideal

• Theft is common: be aware of your belongings, keep valuables (money, passport, credit cards, etc.) in a safe place on your person; if you have a backpack, wear it on the front

• Bring cash, generally in smaller bills because vendors don't always have a lot of change; there are ATM's onsite if you run out

• Be aware that if you're a Western tourist, prices will generally be higher. If you're comfortable with it, try your hand at bargaining with vendors to get the best deals. Just be prepared that they don't always go your way, and be prepared to walk away when it isn't worth it

• If you find something you like, buy it! It's very difficult to find your way back to a place after leaving

• Bring your own reusable bag or backpack to bring home your goodies and to avoid wasting plastic bags

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Located about 11km Northeast of downtown Bangkok, Thailand

Easily accessed by MRT Subway and the BTS Skytrain

MRT Subway: Get off at Kamphaeng Phet exit 1 or 2, and you will pop up inside the market

Online map of MRT Subway

Click here for more information about the MRT Subway

BTS Skytrain: Get off at Mo Chit Station, follow the crowds down onto Phahonythin Rd., follow it southwest about 1 Kilometre and turn right onto Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd. until you reach one of the entrances on the left hand side of the street

Online map of BTS Skytrain

Click here for more information about the BTS Skytrain

Location of Food

Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road

In addition, section 19 inside the market itself.

The Administration of Chatuchak Market

Tel: 02-272-4440-1

Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm

Free Admission

Maps are available at each entrance

Click here for an online map of Chatuchak Market

Toilets are located throughout the market

-Section 7, Soi 66 and 67

-Section 4, Soi 52, 49

-Section 2, Soi 38

-Section 27, Soi 67 and 64

-Section 1

The main streets inside the market are wheelchair and stroller accessible

The pin on the map above is centrally located in the area where you will find the greatest concentration of food vendors in Chatuchak Market. However, food can be found everywhere on vendor's carts and in small stalls.